Why Is Hydration Important After Physical Therapy?

You might need physical therapy as part of your treatment for an injury, illness, or other health condition. If so, drinking enough water is crucial for your success. Learn how staying hydrated can help you get the most out of your physical therapy appointments at AllCare Chiropractic. 

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy can help you find pain relief, increase flexibility, and improve mobility after an injury, illness, or other health condition. 

Through carefully guided exercises and stretches, your physical therapist helps you regain your strength and range of motion. The exercises vary depending upon your symptoms, their severity, and their underlying causes. 

Common reasons to participate in physical therapy include:

• Workplace or sports injuries
• Automobile accidents
• Whiplash
• Sciatica
• Nerve damage
• Stroke
• Neurological conditions
• Osteoarthritis

No matter why you’re doing physical therapy, though, it’s critical that you stay hydrated.

The importance of hydration

Your body loses fluids throughout the day as you sweat, urinate, and cry. You may become dehydrated if you don't drink enough water. Dehydration can bring about a host of problems, such as:

• Kidney and liver issues
• Low blood volume shock
• Dry mouth or eyes
• Dizziness
• Brain fog
• Sluggish digestion
• Fatigue
• Seizures

Drinking enough water, however, does more than just prevent dehydration and related symptoms; it provides numerous benefits that help your body perform optimally.

The benefits of hydration after physical therapy

Here are a few of the many ways that staying hydrated can help you if you’re doing physical therapy. 

Lubricates your joints

Just like a car works best when it’s well-oiled, your body works best if you’re well-hydrated. Drinking enough water can help lubricate and cushion your joints to help them move more smoothly and efficiently. 

Eases muscle soreness

Any regular gym-goer can tell you the easiest way to prevent and relieve muscle pain is to stay sufficiently hydrated before, during, and after each workout. Since physical therapy involves physical activity, you can keep post-appointment soreness at bay by drinking plenty of fluids.

Provides all-natural healing

Countless patients seek physical therapy with hopes of avoiding surgery and the use of medication in their treatment. 

In most cases, your body has the tools necessary to heal if you’re willing to do your part. By staying hydrated, you can help your body transport nutrients to your cells to support healing.

Prevents muscle cramps when you sleep

Restful, restorative sleep gives your body the best chance for a full recovery, but dehydration may lead to painful muscle cramps that can wake you up. 

After a physical therapy session, it’s vital that you drink plenty of fluids to prevent your thirsty and tired muscles from cramping up and disrupting your sleep. 

Replenishing fluids helps restore your body's natural balance and gives you the best chance to heal. As you recover from an injury or illness, staying hydrated after physical therapy is crucial to your success.

If physical therapy is a part of your recovery, let the experts at AllCare Chiropractic guide your return to health. Give us a call or book your appointment online today.