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Massage • Manual Osteopathy • Acupuncture

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GET A FREE MASSAGE!

Call us at 780-569-3838 to find out how

 

Massage • Manual Osteopathy • Acupuncture

 

TOP CLINIC IN ST. ALBERT

Acupuncture St Albert | Hydrate After Acupuncture Treatment

After your acupuncture St Albert appointment, your acupuncturist may have told you to drink plenty of water. And while you may or may not have listened to them, why did they make that recommendation in the first place? And why are we told to drink eight glasses of water a day anyway? Today, we look at this rarely questioned piece of advice to find out why drinking water is good, and exactly how much you should be drinking in the first place!

During your acupuncture St Albert treatment, your body released a variety of toxins. Such as the toxins from an unhealthy diet, environmental toxins, drugs and alcohol to name a few.

Your St Albert acupuncture therapist will suggest that you hydrate after acupuncture treatment to help your body actually pass these toxins through your liver and out of your body, but those toxins actually can take up to three days to get rid of! Therefore, it’s a good idea to ensure you are drinking at least a minimum of eight glasses of water every day to help your body do this important job.

Because of the detoxifying aspect of acupuncture St Albert treatments, you may feel fatigue or discomfort after your session as these toxins move through your body. While other people report feeling energized, because the toxins are on their way out. Regardless of how you feel, know it is normal, and if you can keep your water consumption up over the next three days, these toxins will be out of your body for good! Take care to not drink coffee or alcohol directly after acupuncture however, as this can cause dehydration instead.

Water Is Essential To Life

But have you ever wondered why we’re told to drink water every day as well? And why don’t coffee, tea and juice count? Finally, why exactly must we drink eight glasses of water – where did that number come from? To understand those questions, acupuncture St Albert practitioner suggests looking at the makeup of the human body. In adults, the average body is made up between 55 to 60 percent water. All organs and body functions require water to function, from the brain, which is made up of 75 percent water, to your blood, which is 83 percent water, to your heart, liver, kidneys and yes, even your bones.

And while we are made up of so much water, we are also losing water every minute we are alive. From losing water vapour through our breath, perspiration, digestion as well as urine and bowel movements, we need to replenish that water! This is why we are told from an early age to drink eight glasses of water every day. However, despite the fact that we are told to drink eight – 8oz glasses of water, that might be a little low, for example if you weigh more, or have a higher level of activity, you may require even more, says acupuncture St Albert therapist.

A good way to gauge if you’re drinking enough is if you rarely feel thirsty, or if the colour of your urine is usually light yellow or colourless. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or the practitioner at acupuncture St Albert.

Acupuncture St Albert | How Much Water Should You Drink

In fact, there are several factors that go into determining how much we should drink. From the amount of exercise we do, to what environment we live in. For example, says acupuncture St Albert practitioner, when it’s summer, or if you live somewhere very warm, you will sweat more, and therefore need to drink more. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding you will also need to drink more water. And while we can replenish some of our water through the foods we eat, and other beverages we drink, not all liquid intake counts as water absorption.

If you eat a salad, with cucumbers and tomatoes, and have an apple, the water in those foods will help you stay hydrated. As will beverages like herbal teas, juice and milk. But caffeinated drinks like coffee, energy drinks and soda do not count. This is not because of the sugar content, but because caffeine is actually dehydrating. It’s like trying to stay hydrated drinking water from the ocean.

If you’re drinking a cup or two a day, that’s not a problem, but if the majority of your water intake is coffee – such as five cups a day or more, you may not be getting as hydrated as you think you are.

A Hydrated Body Is Healthy

But staying hydrated and ensuring your body and organs have enough water to function is only one benefit of drinking water says acupuncture St Albert practitioner. A hydrated body ensures you can regulate your body temperature properly. If you are often too warm, consider increasing your water intake. Drinking enough water helps you get rid of fecal waste. While no one likes poop talk, the fact of the matter is too low water intake can cause the contents of your digestive system to dry out, causing constipation.

Since over 80 percent of your blood is water, if you drink too little, you can have a dangerous drop in blood pressure, causing you to be at risk for fainting or passing out. Drink enough water to maintain healthy blood pressure suggests acupuncture St Albert. Dehydration can even cause headaches. If you find yourself with a headache often, try drinking water, even before headaches set in. While this doesn’t always work, it’s a great help for people who want to avoid taking painkillers unnecessarily.

While we have always heard that water is good for us, knowing all the benefits can help us says acupuncture St Albert practitioner. Not just after your acupuncture appointment, but in the morning to kickstart your metabolism, to be hydrated during your workout, before every meal to aid in digestion, and whenever you feel hungry, ask yourself are you thirsty instead? By upping your water intake, you may be surprised at how amazing you feel!