Why You Need To Drink More Water To Help Back Pain

April 5, 2018

Glass of Water

Glass of Water

From drinking it and swimming in it, to the ice that reduces our swelling, water is all around us. As a 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. This probably explains why we feel a whole lot better when we drink enough of it.

Now, you might be aware of the many ‘tips and tricks that are out there about ‘how to avoid a bad back’ and ‘how to relieve the pain’. But, have you ever heard about drinking more water to help with all of that?

My guess would be probably not!

I understand that it might sound too simple to make a difference, but dehydration really can be one of the culprits of back pain. It can even contribute to why back pain stays around longer than it needs to.

Let me explain…

As I stated above, 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. Well, these discs are mainly made up of water. During the day when we’re standing up, the discs slowly become dehydrated. At night, when we’re lying down, they rehydrate themselves again (as long are there is ENOUGH water in the body!).

If there’s not enough water in your body, then this isn’t ideal for your discs and, eventually, this lack of water can cause pain, swelling, and even more problems later on.

Just like a car engine needs to keep lubricated to run properly, your body needs water for your joints, organs, and muscles to function properly.

Do you see why your water intake is so important now?

We all know it is! Just not many of us knew that without enough of it, back pain can creep up and stick around for longer.

Let’s take a look at a few things so you can start living a life with less back pain:

  • 1. Signs that you are not drinking enough water, so you can start drinking more of it!
  • 2. What you can expect when you start drinking more water.
  • 3. Helpful tips to help you increase your intake!

Let’s dive in…

Signs That You’re Not Drinking Enough Water

How do you really know?

Well, the most obvious is feeling thirsty. But here are some less obvious signs to watch out for:

  • Feeling tired
  • Dizziness
  • Dry skin and lips
  • Headaches
  • Constipation
  • Mood swings
  • AND....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 (if that’s something you’re wanting to achieve), leave your skin looking more clear and you’ll have a natural glow!

You may even find that you don’t need to reach for that fourth cup of coffee because you feel much more alert.

Click here to learn about an at-home low back pain program!

How Can You Increase Your Water Intake

Besides using a bigger glass to drink your water with, here’s a few tips that might work better for you. I’ll start with my favorite- drinking a glass of water right after waking up.

Before I go 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 water you drink is to switch it up.

I get it, water can get boring. But it doesn’t have to be!

Switch off between still and sparkling water or add lemon, cucumber, or other fruits to your water. Experiment with it and try to find something that suits you. You could even make your own lemonade or mix it with fruit juices.

So there you have it. Did you have any idea that water played such a huge role in your joint health? Don’t let another day go by of being hydrated. Now you have simple tips to help you drink more water each day.

P.S. For more back pain tips like this, click below to download our FREE tips report with quick and simple tips to help ease low back pain:

 

Nick Hunter, PT, DPT
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