LACEY (WA) – Quick question: How much water have you drank today? For most people, the answer would be “not enough”. From everything we drink and swim in, to the ice that reduces swelling, water is all around us (and even in us). Matter of fact – it basically is us! Water makes up around two thirds of who we are and influences every single process in our body – which probably explains why we feel a lot better when we drink enough of it.
Now, you might be aware of the many ‘tips and tricks’ that are out there on “how to avoid a bad back”, and “how to relieve pain” – but did you know that drinking more water can help with that? My guess is you haven’t! Dehydration can really be one of the culprits of back pain, and one of the reasons why it stays around for longer than it needs to.
You already know that water affects every organ and cell in your body, but it also plays an enormous role in the health of your back and spine. In between each section of the spine (the vertebrae) lies a disc – these are mainly made up of water. During the day when we’re standing up, they slowly become dehydrated, then at night when we’re laying down, they rehydrate themselves again (so long as there is ENOUGH water in the body!). If there’s not enough water in your body, then this isn’t good news for your discs, and eventually this lack of water can cause pain, swelling, and even more problems further down the line.
Just like a car engine needs to keep lubricated in order to run properly – your body needs water for your joints, organs and muscles to function. See why your water intake is so important now? We all know it is!
So, let’s take a look at a few things so you can start living a life with less back pain:
- Signs that you’re not drinking enough water – so you can start drinking more of it!
- What you can expect when you start drinking more water
- Helpful tips to help you increase your intake.
Signs That You’re Not Drinking Enough Water
How do you really know? Well the most obvious is feeling thirsty, but here’s some not so obvious signs:
- Feeling tired
- Dizziness
- Dry skin and lips
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Joint pain
The list goes on… But one of the best and most reliable signs is to check your urine – if it’s dark and not a light yellow color, get more water in your system!
What You Can Expect When You Start Drinking More Water…You already know that water is great for you, but after a few weeks of drinking more of it, what benefits can you expect to see? Less soreness in your back for one. You’ll feel ‘healthier’, your eyes may not feel as tired, and you’ll feel more alert! Additionally, water can help you lose weight, your skin will look clearer and you’ll have a natural glow! Even your reliance on coffee may diminish as you’ll feel much more alert.
Besides using a bigger glass to down your water with, here’s some other tips that might work better for you. I’ll start with my favorite – drinking a glass of water right after waking up. Before going to bed I make sure to place a glass of water on my bedside table, that way, when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see is a glass of water right next to me.
It’s a great feeling knowing that I’ve already consumed almost 15% of my daily water intake before my day has even started. Give it a go, after a week or two, it’ll be a new habit and you’ll feel more energetic for it. Another way you can increase how much you drink is to switch it up. I get it, water can be boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Vary still and sparkling water, or add lemon, cucumber or other fruits to your water. I’ll be back again next week, have a great week! The author, Jennifer Penrose, is a Physical Therapist and owner of Penrose Physical Therapy. If you have any questions about back pain, you can call (360) 456-1444 or email jennifer@penrosept.com
