Water
Having enough water in your system is very important for restoring muscles and connective tissues back to their normal condition and function. When you are dehydrated, your body will borrow the fluid it needs to keep your kidneys going, your brain working, and your perspiration functioning as normally as it can. One of the prime places your body finds this extra fluid is in the connective tissues throughout your body or in the synovial fluid sacks that are meant to protect your tendons from excessive wear and tear as they cross the joints.
In repetitive strain injuries, it is important to remember that the function of connective tissue, particularly the fascia , is to allow sliding and gliding of one layer of tissue over another. It also encases and suspends the nerves and allows them to slide as the muscles contract and the joints move.
Imagine how difficult it becomes if the normal sliding and gliding elements of your body are dried out and sticky! It actually compounds the effects of any repetitive strain injury, no matter where the injury appears on your body. Not only that, but your kidneys, brain, joints, skin, and muscles suffer as well.
A good minimum amount of water to plan on consuming every day is 2 quarts, or 8 cups. If you are on restricted fluid intake on the recommendation of your doctor, then it is very, very important that you discuss this recommendation with him or her before beginning to increase your water intake.
Keep in mind that certain common foods and beverages tend to have a dehydrating effect on the body. They may include coffee or any other caffeinated beverage, alcohol of any kind, soft drinks, and sugars. If you consume these foods or beverages, it is important to increase the amount of water you are drinking accordingly. It is also helpful to try to stay away from fizzy beverages. The phosphorus that makes them fizzy can have a demineralizing effect on the bones and to be drinking two quarts of it a day could lead to problems with your bones. An occasional drink of a fizzy beverage is perfectly okay, however.
A great book to read on this subject is Your Body’s Many Cries for Water by Dr. F. Batmanghelidg, MD. It is a real eye opener and I highly recommend it. Find a link for ordering this book in the Links section of this website.
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Sharon Butler has been a Practitioner of Hellerwork Structural Integration for 34 years and has specialized in helping people recover from Repetitive Strain Injuries of the upper body since 1991. She is the author of the best selling book, “Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Repetitive Strain Injuries: A Self Care Program” along with 7 comprehensive specialized programs for the Self Care of RSI’s.