Hydration and Chiropractic Care: What’s the Connection?
You already know that hydration is important for preventing problems like heat-related illnesses. But did you know that staying hydrated is also crucial for your back health? Indeed, the human body needs a continuous supply of clean, fresh water every day to function properly—from your head to your toes. Dr. Leo Lachowich, D.C. at Merivale Chiropractic and Massage Clinic is pleased to help our patients become better informed about their wellness. Our focus on patient education complements our chiropractic care, which in turn supports better hydration of the spinal structures.
Why Does the Spine Need Water?
In order to fully grasp the significance of hydration to back health, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of the structure of the spine. Your spine is comprised of vertebrae (bones) separated by intervertebral discs. These discs are flexible cushions that bear the burden of your daily movements. Essentially, they are like shock absorbers for your spine.
When you’re young, the intervertebral discs are quite flexible and hydrated. Yet, as you grow older, the discs become susceptible to drying out. This weakens their ability to absorb shock. This process of disc degeneration even shrinks the discs and makes them more vulnerable to damage, such as tears in the discs’ tough outer shells.
How Does Chiropractic Care Complement Good Hydration?
Early in life, the discs receive their nutrients and hydration via blood circulation. Later in life, the discs instead receive hydration through osmosis and the imbibition process. The imbibition process relies on movement to pressure fluid in and out of the discs. Think of a sponge. If you squeeze a sponge, the water flows out. When you release the sponge, it’s able to absorb more water.
So how is chiropractic care connected to the hydration of the discs? Quite simply, when the spine is affected by misalignments (subluxations), the discs are less able to absorb water. Chiropractic care corrects these subluxations, which supports the health of the discs. Additionally, the movement associated with spinal manipulations helps force more water into the discs, making them more resilient and healthier.
Chiropractic Care in Ottawa, Canada
At Merivale Chiropractic and Massage Clinic, we focus on total body wellness, striving to help each of our patients live their best lives. Our highly experienced providers offer a variety of treatment modalities to support the healing process, including chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture. You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Leo Lachowich, D.C. or our other talented providers by calling (613) 226-8142.
Posted In:
Chiropractic
Hydration
