ClickCease
+1-915-850-0900 spinedoctors@gmail.com
Select Page

Spinal Hygiene

Back Clinic Spinal Hygiene. The spine is the protective housing for the nervous system, a system so powerful that it controls every function in the human body. The nervous system tells your body to breath, tells your heart to beat, tells your arms and legs to move, tells your body when and how to produce new cells and it even has the power to control healing. A damaged or misaligned spine can dramatically interfere with the signals constantly being sent through the nervous system, eventually resulting in bodily pain, internal deterioration and loss of many of the everyday functions we take for granted.

Spinal hygiene is extremely important, yet 89 percent of the world’s population does not realize the importance of maintaining proper alignment of the vertebrae through chiropractic adjustment, as well as protecting the spine from injury through healthy living practices. Instead we neglect our spines. As children we start our lives with tumbles and trips that jar our spines, we grow into adults with poor posture, we lift things that are too heavy, carry overloaded back packs, and we suffer injury through car accidents, sports impacts and stress.

Get in on the health trend of the future-today. Join the growing percentage of the population that enjoys greater health and wellness through regular care of their spines. Talk to your chiropractor today about ways you can improve your spinal hygiene.


Chiropractic Care Arthritis Treatment

Chiropractic Care Arthritis Treatment

Nothing had really worked until I started seeing Dr. Alex Jimenez. The way he cares about his patients, that is what keeps on bringing me back. He does a great job and he really cares about his patients. – Araceli Pizana

 

Arthritis is considered to be quite a common health issue, however, it’s still not very well understood by many healthcare professionals today. As a matter of fact, arthritis isn’t a single disorder, but rather, it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or a joint disorder. There are approximately more than 100 distinct kinds of arthritis and associated problems. People of all ages, sexes and races can develop arthritis as it is the chief cause of disability in the United States. Over 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis while it often happens and is most common among women.

 

Common arthritis joint symptoms include pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness and decreased range of movement. Symptoms of arthritis may come and go where these can range from mild, moderate or severe. They may also remain about the exact same for many years or it might advance and become worse over time. Arthritis may result in chronic pain which can make it difficult to perform tasks. Arthritis can additionally cause joint alterations. Frequently, although these modifications may be visible, such as knobbly finger joints, the extent of the health issue can be observed on x-rays. Some kinds of arthritis have an effect on skin, eyes, lungs, kidneys and the heart as well as the joints.

 

Common Types of Arthritis

 

The two most common types of arthritis which result in pain are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis generally occurs in people over the age of 60, however, it may also be a consequence of trauma from an injury, overuse and improper body movement mechanics. This sort of arthritis is characterized by the loss of cartilage that’s responsible for lubricating joints and distributing forces of motion. When you don’t have enough of it, the bones can begin to rub together and cause pain. Moreover, bone fragments may break away and may cause bone spurs to grow.�The hands, knees, hips and back are the most common sites for osteoarthritis.

 

Being the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is considered to be one of the most prevalent causes for chronic pain symptoms. Common causes which can ultimately increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis�include: excess weight, family history, age and previous injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tear, for instance. Osteoarthritis can be prevented by avoiding injury and repetitive movements, maintaining a healthy weight and remaining active.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis generally occurs when the human body’s own immune system strikes; in other words, it’s an autoimmune disease.�A healthy immune system functions by protecting the human body from intruders that can cause disease.�Researchers believe that a combination of environmental factors and genetics can cause autoimmunity. Smoking is an illustration of an ecological risk factor that can cause arthritis in people with specific genes.

 

Nevertheless, in the case of an autoimmune disease, the immune system may go mistakenly attacking the joints, causing uncontrolled inflammation and potentially causing erosion of the cartilage in the bones.�With this kind of arthritis, the lining of the joints become irritated and inflamed. Moreover, rheumatoid arthritis might damage other parts of the human body, including the eyes and internal organs. Symptoms include pain, swelling and soreness, inflammation, stiffness, and tenderness. Rheumatoid arthritis is found in the hands, wrists and toes, even in the hips and knees, if not treated properly. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include: fever, weight loss, diminished appetite and continual exhaustion.

 

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, a variety of treatment approaches can help people manage the symptoms of those afflictions. As a matter of fact, research studies have shown that chiropractic care can help manage arthritis. Chiropractic care consists of both passive and active treatment modalities. With these common types of arthritis, early diagnosis and treatment are fundamental. Slowing down the progress of the disease can help decrease and prevent permanent damage.�Remission is the goal and it might be accomplished via the utilization of a combination of therapies. The objective of treatment is to decrease pain, improve functioning, and prevent joint damage.

 

Through chiropractic care, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, will review goals together with the patient as well as perform a full assessment of their condition to develop a specific treatment plan to meet their individual requirements and needs. A specialized treatment program for arthritis will help manage pain and improve strength, flexibility and mobility. Below, we will discuss the types of chiropractic treatment modalities and how these can help with arthritis.

 

Dr-Jimenez_White-Coat_01.png

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight

Before, arthritis was considered to be a natural consequence of aging, however, patients today can find a variety of treatment options to help manage the symptoms associated with this painful disease. Arthritis is simply defined as the swelling or inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and it is most prevalent in older patients. Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common type of arthritis, characterized as an autoimmune disease where the patient’s own immune system attacks the joints. This type of arthritis is most prevalent in younger patients. Chiropractic care is a safe and effective, alternative treatment option which can help manage the symptoms associated with arthritis.

 

Chiropractic Care for Arthritis Pain

 

Chiropractic care is a great treatment approach to manage and relieve pain caused by arthritis. Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option which focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries and conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Routine chiropractic care offers arthritis patients a safe and effective, non-invasive, non-addictive alternative treatment option to prescription opioids or over-the-counter pain drugs, or OTCs, that are generally given to patients to help them manage their own arthritis pain.

 

Chiropractic care utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other treatment approaches. Chiropractic spinal adjustments and manual manipulations reduce misalignments of the spine, also referred to as subluxations, as well as joint restrictions in the spinal column and other joints, improving the functioning of the bones, joints and nervous system. By enhancing your nervous system function, spinal health and increasing mobility, your body gets the ability to better manage symptoms caused by arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, chiropractic care may use passive treatment methods to help manage symptoms associated with arthritis.�The passive treatment methods for arthritis are:

 

  • Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ultrasound
  • Superficial heat
  • Cryotherapy or ice packs

 

TENS can considerably help reduce pain from arthritis, tricking the brain into believing there’s no pain. Pain, muscle spasms, inflammation and soft tissue edema is reduced by electric stimulation. Ultrasound is a deep heating modality which helps deep joint tissues. It assists with swelling and inflammation as well as improving the structure of connective tissue. Heat reduces inflammation and swelling. Ice or cryotherapy packs will also be effective for arthritic pain. It’s useful for swelling and decreasing local inflammation. These passive treatment methods may be used alongside other alternative treatment options.

 

A doctor of chiropractor, or chiropractor, may even recommend a series of lifestyle changes to help promote healing and speed up the recovery process. If you are afflicted with pain, an exercise or physical activity program will address any impairments that could be contributing to the patient’s painful symptoms. Moreover, a chiropractor may also recommend nutritional advice. Research studies have found that some types of foods may cause pain and inflammation in arthritis patients.

 

Nobody should be living with pain. If you are experiencing challenges when performing daily tasks due to your arthritis pain, make sure to seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced chiropractor, to achieve relief from your symptoms.�The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at�915-850-0900�.

 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez

 

Green-Call-Now-Button-24H-150x150-2-3.png

 

Additional Topics: Acute Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most prevalent causes for disability and missed days at work worldwide. As a matter of fact, back pain has been attributed as the second most common reason for doctor office visits, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Approximately 80 percent of the population will experience some type of back pain at least once throughout their life. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles, among other soft tissues. Because of this, injuries and/or aggravated conditions, such as herniated discs, can eventually lead to symptoms of back pain. Sports injuries or automobile accident injuries are often the most frequent cause of back pain, however, sometimes the simplest of movements can have painful results. Fortunately, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can help ease back pain through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, ultimately improving pain relief.

 

 

 

blog picture of cartoon paperboy big news

 

EXTRA IMPORTANT TOPIC: Low Back Pain Management

 

The Nervous System And Chiropractic’s Positive Affects

The Nervous System And Chiropractic’s Positive Affects

The Nervous System: At its very foundation chiropractic helps improve�nervous system function by making adjustments to the spine. Over time, more and more studies are proving that it is extremely effective and as a result many health conditions are improved and even healed completely.

Function Of The Nervous System

The nervous system is a complex network of nerves, spinal cord, and brain that reach and affect every part of the body. The core of the nervous system is the spinal cord which receives and transmits information in the body.

It is responsible for organ function, movement, and experiencing the senses sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. The brain receives the information that is carried by the nervous system. It processes the information and helps the body react appropriately.

When you look at a cat, the image is transmitted through the nervous system, processed in the brain, and translated to the image of a cat as you understand it. It happens so quickly; there is no pause or lapse of time in a healthy nervous system. The transmission of the message is instantaneous.

How Chiropractic Helps Improve The Nervous System

When the spine is not aligned or the body is out of balance it can impact the function of the nervous system, causing chronic pain, difficulty in mobility, and a wide range of health conditions. Chiropractic adjustments open the pathways of the nervous system allowing the information to flow unobstructed.

It goes far beyond just the spine though. The chiropractor may adjust the arms, legs, neck, and hips in addition to the spine which all work together to provide a healthy, functioning nervous system. Regular chiropractic care can help keep the nervous system unimpeded and working as it should.

the nervous system and chiropractic el paso tx.

Improved Nervous System Means Improved Immune & Endocrine Systems

The nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system are inextricably linked so when one is impacted, the others are impacted as well. This occurs because all three systems share certain molecules that carry message between them, allowing them to communicate or work together. It is this connection that makes chiropractic an effective treatment for immunity.

While the immune system protects the body from disease, the endocrine system is responsible for producing certain hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating tissue function, sleep, metabolism, sexual function, mood, growth and development, as well as other vital functions.

This is why chiropractic treatment can often help with depression and insomnia; it is even an effective treatment for infertility. When you look at the nervous system from this perspective it is easy to see how far reaching it is and how much it impacts the entire body.

Benefits Of An Improved Nervous System

There are many chronic and even degenerative health conditions that are impacted by the nervous system. Studies have shown that chiropractic is a very effective treatment for numerous neurological conditions including:

  • Vertigo
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Ataxia
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson�s
  • Epilepsy
  • Tourette�s Syndrome
  • Autism

This makes chiropractic more of a global treatment in many cases. A patient may seek treatment for pain or limited mobility but will often experience many other benefits due to the positive effects that the treatment has on the nervous system.

When there is a communication breakdown between the brain and the body�s tissues, organs, and cells it can lead to a variety of health problems. Chiropractic provides a safe, effective treatment for improved nervous system function.

In some cases, a patient may need regular chiropractic treatments that may be once a week or several times a week. The type, frequency, and intensity of the treatment is dependent upon the patient and their condition. Chiropractic treatment positively affects the nervous system and as a result, positively affects the entire body.

Injury Medical Clinic: Fibromyalgia Care & Treatment

Rest Helps Restore Spinal Health

Rest Helps Restore Spinal Health

You try to do all the right things when it comes to taking care of your spine. You lift the right way, exercise, practice good posture, stretch, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks to walk around if you are seated for an extended period of time. Those are all excellent habits to keep, but there is something else that you should be doing � and it is one of the most overlooked and undervalued health practices. Rest!

Running On Empty: The Silent Epidemic

Stress can do severe damage to your emotional and mental health, but it can also hurt your body as well. Many people carry stress in their lower backs which means that when stress goes up it can result in lower back pain. It can also make you more sensitive to pain.

It is estimated that 66 percent of all doctor visits have a stress related component. What�s more, 50 percent of people who suffer from stress rate it as moderate to high. We live in a culture that makes it commonplace to run on empty. The problem with that is sooner or later you are going to crash and your body will bear the brunt.

Rest is important for helping you alleviate and manage stress, but recent studies show that 1 in 3 adults don�t get enough sleep. There is another reason to get your seven to nine hours in, though, that is directly related to spinal health.

rest spine health el paso tx.

What Rest Can Do For Your Spinal Health

When you rest you give your body time to replenish depleted stores of energy. Adequate sleep improves your immune function, memory, metabolism, learning, and healing. You will be more alert, happier, and have more energy. It is also very beneficial is you are trying to lose weight.

Excess weight can put pressure on your spine and cause it to curve, causing back pain. This is especially true if you carry your weight in your abdomen. That extra weight in the front pulls your spine into a sway back curve making it painful to stand for long periods of time.

When you lay down and rest you allow your entire spine, associated muscles, and other parts of your body to rejuvenate and relax. You probably don�t realize it, but your muscles in your back and abdomen work all day to keep your body properly supported. Even when sitting there are muscles engaged. Laying down allows all of those muscles to finally relax.

Rest also allows your spinal discs to rehydrate. The spine is made up of fluid filled discs that sit between the vertebrae, acting as a cushion. As you go about your day, thanks to gravity, your discs become compressed. This compression causes the disc to lose fluid (which is about 88 percent water). This can cause pain if the discs are not properly rehydrated � and that is a two-step process of drinking adequate water and getting enough rest.

Drinking water will put the fluids into your body, but as long as you are upright, the compression will continue. Laying down to go to sleep takes that pressure off of your spine so there is no compression and the body can naturally rehydrate the discs. A few hours here and there is not really effective because it does not give the body enough time to do its job. This means that you need to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Along with all the other great, healthy reasons to get a good night�s sleep, you not have one more to add to the list. A healthy spine will keep you standing tall and help keep you mobile, It is important to do all you can to take care of it.

Injury Medical Clinic: Neck Pain Care & Treatments

Three Steps To Help Your Back

Three Steps To Help Your Back

Three Steps: Your lower back needs protection, strength and nourishment to help prevent and reduce lower back pain.

Adding these 3 steps to one’s day can help take stress off your lower back:

Three Steps

1. Work On A Stand-Up Desk For Part Of The Day

Too much sitting is common in the cause of low back pain. Posture while sitting, forward leaning in order to look at a computer screen, affects the natural alignment of the lower spine by placing a heavy load on the lumbar discs and joints.

Many people are utilizing standup desks for part of their workday. Standup desks come in a variety of shapes, functionality, and price ranges. They can be inexpensive to fully adjustable, automatic models.

If lower back pain is already an issue, only stand for part of the day and gradually increase to longer standing times. Cushioned and standing mats add additional comfort, as well as, exercise benefits. Standing more, along with quick walks and/or quick stretches at the half hour can break up the extended sitting cycle.

2. Stretch Hamstrings On A Daily Basis

Hamstrings are the large muscles that run down the back of each thigh. They can quite easily become tight. If they become very tight then the hamstring/s will transfer stress across the lower back and can lead to back pain.

three steps lower back pain el paso tx.

There are a variety of hamstring stretches that are gentle on the back and easy to do: pick one or two that work for you and are easy to incorporate it into a daily routine.

3. Sleep In A Reclined Position

People with lower back pain feel more support when the lower back is in a slightly reclined position, along with the knees supported and elevated. This is true for lower back diagnoses, such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and lumbar degeneration.

If it is difficult to sleep on your back, try resting in this position in a reclining chair or bed before going to sleep.

Sleeping the most comfortable in a supported, reclined position can come from switching to an adjustable bed, aka (adjustable base). Just like the stand-up desks, these models range from basic to sophisticated options.

A new development now is that online mattress companies now offer mattress bases that are fully adjustable, and some offer free delivery/setup. Consider a new mattress with an adjustable base that goes with the mattress. This combination may work to help your back.

benign paroxysmal positional vertigo el paso tx.

We encourage back pain supplementation with chiropractic treatment and any type of steps one can take to help prevent and reduce lower back.

Injury Medical Clinic: Sciatica Treatments & Recoveries

5 Benefits Of Walking That Everyone Should Know | El Paso, TX.

5 Benefits Of Walking That Everyone Should Know | El Paso, TX.

5 benefits of�walking in order to achieve better health is not new. Doctors and fitness experts have been touting its benefits for decades. When you walk, you engage more than 200 muscles � this includes your pelvis and spine. This makes it an exceptional complement to chiropractic treatment. However, if you aren�t convinced, these five compelling reasons that chiropractic patients should walk are sure to win you over.

5 Benefits Of Walking

Helps With Weight Loss & Weight Management

When you are carrying around excess weight it can lead to back pain and impaired mobility. Fat around your middle, especially in the stomach area, throws your body off balance. There is extra weight in front and it pulls that portion of your body forward, causing a swayback effect.

The pain in the lower back that is caused by this pressure can be excruciating. Over the long term this can cause damage to your spine and cause misalignment. While girdles or slings may help, the permanent remedy is to lose the weight. Walking is an excellent, low impact exercise that helps you lose weight, stay active, and stay healthy.

Improves Mobility & Flexibility

As we age we become less flexible and we don�t have the mobility of youth. As you walk, your circulation increases and that helps improve flexibility and mobility.

Add a little light stretching to the mix, along with regular chiropractic treatments and you will have a much better range of motion. Your posture will improve and you will reduce your chance of injury during physical activity. All this greatly enhances your spinal health making walking a great complement to chiropractic care.

5 benefits walking el paso tx.Relieves Back Pain

Back pain is one of the top reasons that Americans miss work and worldwide it is the number one cause of disability. It is also expensive. Each year, Americans spend upwards of $50 billion trying to escape back pain.

Walking is recommended by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) to help ease back pain. It is a very good, low impact exercise that helps you manage your weight and stay active � excess weight can cause your back to hurt. Walking helps relieve back pain, but it can help to prevent it as well. Even walking for just 30 minutes a day 3 to 5 times a week is beneficial.

Rehydrates Spinal Discs

There are small, fluid filled disks that lie between each vertebrae, acting as a cushion. As you move about during the day, gravity and certain movements cause your spinal disks to compress, squeezing the water out of them. This can lead to back pain and mobility issues.

The increased circulation from walking helps to force water into this area and the disks absorb that water and are rehydrated. This allows them to continue doing what they are supposed to � act as shock absorbers for your spine. It also helps if you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day.

Improves Circulation

Good circulation is integral to spinal health as well as a properly functioning central nervous system. When you walk it increases your circulation allowing your blood to carry vital nutrients to your spine, organs, and your entire body. The soft tissues are enriched and nourished as toxins are flushed out.

Another benefit of this increased circulation is a decrease in blood pressure. It brings your body into balance so your muscles, ligaments, and joints are nourished. This, in turn, helps to make your chiropractic treatments more productive and beneficial.

5 benefits of walking is beneficial for whole body wellness. It can help you reduce your risk of many serious health conditions including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. It is also great for giving you a mental health boost and make you less prone to osteoporosis. So commit to walking just 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week. You will be astounded at the difference it will make.

Injury Medical Clinic: Elderly & Geriatric Fitness

Stretching Benefits For�Chiropractic Patients In El Paso, TX.

Stretching Benefits For�Chiropractic Patients In El Paso, TX.

Most people stretch and hardly pay any attention to it. Throughout the day a person may stretch upon waking or after they�ve been sitting in the same position for a while. They might do some stretches before working out or as part of physical therapy. Stretching often makes us feel better but it might be surprising to discover that it is actually beneficial to optimal body function.

As a person ages their muscles begin to tighten. This is a natural part of the aging process. However, it can cause inhibit range of motion and joint stiffness, making normal day to day activities more difficult. After certain injuries stiffness can set in, causing pain and decreased flexibility.

What many chiropractic patients may be surprised to learn is that stretching is a great complement to chiropractic care. When combined with simple stretches and low impact exercises, chiropractic patients often find that their injuries heal faster, their pain is reduced, and they simply feel better and more energetic. If that isn�t enough to convince you to incorporate stretching into your daily wellness routine, maybe these four compelling benefits will.

STRETCHING

Helps Keep The Spine Aligned

When you stretch the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and lower back it will improve your posture by helping to keep your spine in better alignment. When your muscles are not stretched properly they begin to draw up � and it usually isn�t in a uniform or symmetrical manner.

This means that muscles on one side of your spine may draw up more than the muscles on the other side. This can result in your body being pulled to that side, causing your spine to be pulled that way. Stretching prevents this from happening and when combined with consistent chiropractic care it can ensure good spinal health.

Improves Flexibility & Range Of Motion

Most people know, on some level, that stretching improves flexibility and range of motion. However, many do not act on that knowledge and they often wind up at the doctor�s office complaining of back pain. Stretching will make you more flexible which, in turn, will make you less prone to injury.

Your muscles will be able to work as effectively as possible. It is important that you don�t overdo it though. Some people take terrible risks when they stretch, thinking that if they force their bodies into certain positions or if they �bounce� to get a deeper stretch then they will be more flexible. Actually, the reverse is true. Stretching in an unsafe way such as bouncing or forcing your body far beyond its limits will result in injury including pulled muscles and muscle tearing.

Helps Relieve Stress & Detoxify The Body

When you stretch, two very significant things happen. First, your blood flow increases as blood is rushed to the muscles, your organs, and your brain. Secondly, it moves oxygen through these areas. As a result, toxins that have accumulated in your soft tissues are dispelled.

The simple stretching that relieves tension in muscles, combined with the detoxifying effect will help you feel less stressed. Stretching is a great stress management exercise, one you can do just about anywhere. You don�t need any special equipment and you can even do it right at your desk while you are working. A bonus is that you�ll feel the de-stressing effects instantly.

Relieves Lower Back Pain

If you suffer from lower back pain, you might find that stretching is a great pain reliever. Stretching can be a great alternative to opioids and other pain medications that can be addictive and have dangerous side effects.

It relies on the body�s natural ability to heal itself by releasing the tension and easing the stiffness of the muscles in that area. The stiffer those muscles are, the more they will hurt when you try to move. By relaxing them through stretching you will find that you move much easier and with less pain.

Stretching has so many great benefits. Talk to your chiropractor about a customized stretching plan that you can do at home. You�ll love what it does for you. If you don�t have a chiropractor, give us a call at (915)850-0900. We�re here to help!

 

Hydration Is Important To Spinal Health In El Paso, TX.

Hydration Is Important To Spinal Health In El Paso, TX.

Hydration: There is no denying that a healthy diet is integral to overall wellness and staying hydrated is absolutely vital. Every organ, every cell in your body contains water. In fact, when you don�t drink enough water and keep your body properly hydrated, it does not function as it should.

The health of your spine and back depends heavily on whether you are properly hydrated. In fact, if you don�t drink enough water plain, pure water, it could affect your back, causing pain and limiting mobility.

Hydration

Overview Of Spinal Construction

To understand water�s role in spinal health, you first need to understand how the spine is constructed. The row of bones that make up the spine are called vertebrae. Between each vertebrae is a disc. This disc works like a shock absorber so as you bend, flex, and move about the disc provides a buffer so the bones do not rub together.

Each disc is comprised of two parts. The center of the disc is the nucleus pulposis. It is made up mostly of water. The nucleus pulposis is surrounded by a tough, flexible ring that contains a gelatinous substance. It protects the inner area which is the cushion for the vertebrae. Two factors that further complicate the rehydration of the discs are aging and sedentary lifestyles.

How Water Is Good For Your Back

As you go about your daily activities, each time you move, the spine compresses the disc, squeezing out the water within. Even walking or sitting upright can cause this as gravity causes the spine to compress. When the disc does not have adequate water, the result is pain and lack of mobility as well as increased risk of spinal injury.

When you are not properly hydrated your body cannot replenish the water in the discs, causing them to remain compressed. Beverages like soda are not adequate for effective hydration. You need to make sure that you drink enough water every day.

For years we were told that 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day was the rule for proper hydration, and that works for many people. However, an article in the Harvard Health Letter suggests that the body can be properly hydrated with 30 to 50 ounces of water a day. The article goes on to suggest that water can also be found in foods like spinach, watermelon, soups, and lettuce are also good sources for hydration.

hydration in el paso tx.

Spinal Problems Caused By Dehydration

When the body is dehydrated the discs remain compressed instead of refilling. When that happens the overall function of the spine is compromised. Your constant back pain may actually be caused by dehydration. When the discs cannot refill they can�t do their job. This leads to immobility and a compromised range of motion.

Hydration also plays an important role in how the cerebrospinal fluid moves and works. While it does require more than water to function properly, water does play an important role. When the body is dehydrated this fluid cannot move as it should which can even affect brain function.

On a larger scale, when the body is dehydrated it begins to retrieve water from other parts of the body so it can reroute it to the vital organs and sustain life. The extremities are the first places it pulls water from and the spine is another. When it deprives the spine of water in order to supply the organs then you remain in a constant deficit which can cause pain and mobility problems.

How The Spine Rehydrates

As the body rehydrates itself, it does not assign the spine as a priority. The vital organs take precedence so the spine basically gets what is left over. If there is already a deficiency present, then there is nothing left over to rehydrate the spine.

When there is adequate water in the body, normal activity and movement aids in the rehydration of the discs. The most significant rehydration occurs while you sleep though. When you lie down and rest your body is best able to initiate the process of rehydrating your spinal discs via osmosis.

Chiropractic care is another way to adjust the spine and encourage the refilling of the discs. That depends, of course, on proper water intake. Be good to your spine; it�s the only one you have.

Herniated Disc | El Paso, Texas

Mastodon