It’s summertime and it’s uncomfortably hot outside. Still, most of us stay busy with work and other activities despite the sweltering heat. When you lead an active life and are constantly on the go, it can be hard to remember to take care of yourself. One of the most important things you should do is to make sure you drink plenty of water. 60% of the human body is made up of water, so it makes sense that when we are dehydrated things start to go wrong. The problem people experience most frequently in the summer is severe pain in the lower back. If you don’t have chronic lower back pain or haven’t injured yourself recently, the symptoms you’re experiencing could very well be related to a psoas muscle spasm caused by dehydration.
The psoas muscle plays a major role in supporting your spine and is also one of the primary hip flexors, meaning that it’s particularly important when you sit up or bend over. If this muscle spasms it can lock your lower back and create distortions in your back and pelvis which cause an immense amount of pain. Easing the pain on your own might be difficult, but with a few chiropractic adjustments and stretches your back should feel fine again.
Here are some tips to help you avoid this problem:
Stay hydrated.
Drink plenty of water, especially if you’re spending a lot of time in the sun or exercising for long periods of time. Dehydration can also be caused by lack of vital minerals so be sure to replenish your electrolytes. A few natural food sources to stay hydrated would be drinking coconut water or eating fresh foods like watermelon, strawberries, and cucumbers. These foods make a healthy snack and can also offer some hydration due to their high water content. You should also try to avoid beverages that dehydrate you such as coffee, tea, soda, and alcohol.
Avoid standing up or bending over rapidly.
Rapid, jerky movements aren’t good for your back in general so take it slow and be mindful of your back.
