There is no denying that water is an integral part of good health. Dehydration can cause problems with skin, digestion, and organ function. It can cause leg and foot cramps and impair cognitive processes. Staying well hydrated is vital to overall wellness. Because water is part of every cell in the body, and when we don�t drink enough water, the body suffers.
Good spinal health begins with proper hydration. The spine is constructed in such a way that dehydration can cause limited mobility, decreased flexibility, and pain. It can make the backbone to age faster than it should which impacts the entire body. As the natural functions begin to break down the body suffers, and it isn�t long and depression and anxiety often set in. The spine depends heavily on hydration.
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The spine of made up of vertebrae, a row of bones that sit on top of each other, connected by small joints. A disc sits between each vertebra, cushioning it and acting as a shock absorber. It allows the spine to flex, bend, and move about without the bones rubbing together.
Each disc has a fluid center (nucleus pulposis) that is surrounded by a flexible, sturdy ring. The ring contains a gel-like substance while the center of the disc is comprised of water. The outer ring protects the center, and the center protects the vertebrae, acting as a cushion for the bones.
If the fluid center does not have adequate water, it cannot do its job, and the spine begins to experience problems. Aging makes it more difficult for the discs to rehydrate and a sedentary lifestyle also complicates the process. It just cannot work without proper hydration. A healthy spine starts with adequate hydration.
From the time you get up in the morning, you are putting pressure on your spine and subsequently, the discs that lie between each vertebra. As you move the discs are compressed by the spine, and the water that is inside is squeezed out.
Even upright activities like standing, sitting, or walking can cause pressure on the discs as gravity causes compression in the spine. When the discs do not have enough water, it results in limited mobility, pain, and an increased risk of back injury.
If you don�t drink enough water, your body becomes dehydrated and is unable to replenish the water that the discs so desperately need. You may not even notice the typical signs of dehydration such as a headache and lethargy, but also lower levels of dehydration can cause severe problems in the body, especially if it is prolonged. Soda and similar beverages do not provide adequate water to the body.
Water is the best way to hydrate the body, but it isn�t the only way. Foods like watermelon, lettuce, spinach, and soups are excellent sources of hydration. H2O, of course, is the best way, but herbal teas are also good.
Drinks with caffeine are not as effective since the caffeine can have a diuretic effect. Traditionally, people have been told to drink eight glasses of water a day, and that is good advice. However, studies indicate that proper hydration can occur with an intake of just 30 to 50 ounces of water a day.
If you have constant or frequent back pain, the answer could be as close as your kitchen faucet. Dehydration could be the source of your back pain and immobility.
Water also affects the way the cerebrospinal fluid works and moves in the body. When the body is dehydrated, it doesn�t move as it should, and brain function, reflexes, and cognitive processing could be impacted. Don�t chance it. If your problems are caused by something as simple as not drinking enough water, that is something you can change today. Drink up! Your body will thank you.
General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Why Water Is So Important to Obtaining a Healthy Spine" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.
Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
Our videos, posts, topics, and insights address clinical matters and issues that are directly or indirectly related to our clinical scope of practice.
Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and has identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) in Texas & Multi-States
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (42 States)
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
My Digital Business Card
Licenses and Board Certifications:
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics
Memberships & Associations:
TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
NPI: 1205907805
| Primary Taxonomy | Selected Taxonomy | State | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | NM | DC2182 |
| Yes | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | TX | DC5807 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | TX | 1191402 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | FL | 11043890 |
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