Every patient of mine is told the importance of hydration.   When they start re-hydrating, wonderful things begin to happen. 

According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, M.D. found in his book entitled “Your Body’s Many Cries For Water“, “fully 75 percent of the weight of the upper part of the body is supported by the water volume that is stored in the disc core; 25 percent is suppoted by the fibrous materials around the disc…..(water) provides the hydraulic support for the weight-bearing qualities of an intervertebral disc.”

In chronic dehydration, the discs begin to fray.  They cannot keep up wit the stress of subluxations (vertebrae being out of alignment), in addition to day to day wear and tear.  Patients with disc problems respond very well to rehydration.

The list of conditions that Dr. Batmanghelidj found to respond to re-hydration includes migraines, high blood pressure (the blood is thickened due to water loss, so it takes more force to push it through the body), asthma, colitis, angina, back pain, arthiritis, heartburn, early adult-onset diabetes, high cholosterol and many others.  Dr. Batmangheldi claims that many of these conditions are part of the body’s early-warning system, and if not heeded, can progress to stroke, cancer, heart disease and other serious health conditions.

Rehydration takes about two weeks, according to Dr. Batmangheldi.  His book has various protocols people should use.  But, he states that the beneficial effects of water are noticed immediately usually. 

So, if you are experiencing any of the health conditions listed above, it is time to start drinking water!

If you should need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dr. Steven Alff, D.C./Ventura Spinal Care Center