There is nothing more devastating than trying to get dressed up nicely in the morning and feeling like you look heavier than usual because of your body retaining too much water. Your clothes are tighter and you feel bloated and sluggish.

Water retention can be embarrassing!

Often you’ll also notice that you can’t wear your rings or your ankles have swollen twice their normal size.

Water retention, also known as fluid retention, is the culprit and it isn’t uncommon. In fact, a large majority of women suffer from it. If you are suffering from water retention, it is likely because of one of these three common reasons. And, the good news is you have options for stopping it.

Water Retention Is Normal

Your body naturally leaks fluids from the blood into the tissue. In fact, you need it for your body to thrive. Once the cells in your tissues have enough fluid, the water is supposed to be reabsorbed into your blood, but when it’s not, you suffer from water retention. Most likely, you’ll notice the retention in your lower legs, fingers and ankles — especially if you sit for long periods of time.

The Three Common Causes of Water Retention

1. Improper Lymphatic System Function – Your lymphatic system comprises of small tubes that help drain fluids from your tissues. When the system isn’t working properly or is overwhelmed, fluid backs up — similar to the pipes in your house.
2. Too Much Salt or Hormones – Salt naturally attracts water, which means the more salt in your diet, the more water your body retains. Also, hormone levels — such as being pregnant or taking birth control pills — can cause you to retain more water than normal.
3. Underlying Medical Condition – Conditions like kidney disease, lung disease or even heart failure can lead to water retention. That is why it is important to always consult a professional for water retention to rule out serious medical conditions.

There is Hope for Water Retention Sufferers so the bloating and swelling stops!

Obviously feeling sluggish and bloated and can significantly affect your quality of life, especially if it is a chronic condition. Luckily, there is hope if you’re suffering from it. By controlling your fluid retention you can feel better, more fit and relaxed.

Some things you can try at home to reduce fluid retention include:

• Drink more water to help flush out the salt.
• Reduce the number of salty foods you eat every day.
• Wear supportive shoes and stockings.
• Take vitamin B5 and B6 to help reduce fluids in your tissues.
• Stay hydrated — a dehydrated body retains fluid.
• Consult a professional.

Significant water retention can actually cause other issues, like pain in the feet, ankles and knees. If you think you may be suffering from water retention or wonder if it’s due to something else, we (your Bethlehem, PA chiropractor) can help. Meet with Dr. Nicole M. or download her free report “10 Questions to Determine if You Are Heading Towards a Foot, Ankle, or Knee Injury…and How to Prevent it”.

If you have chronic pain in your heel, you are likely to suffer from Achilles tendonitis or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. It can be a very painful, uncomfortable condition that makes it hard to function in everyday life—let alone allowing you to stay active.

There are some common causes of this condition; luckily, many of them can be avoided so that you can become and remain pain-free much quicker.

Check out these four common causes for Achilles tendonitis and see if your cure just requires one of these quick lifestyle changes.

What is the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles is the largest tendon in your body and it is prone to injury more than any other tendon. This is because it is also one of the most used tendons. It has to manage a great deal of force from your own weight and many of your daily body motions.

If you have tendonitis of your Achilles, it usually starts with a twinge or stiff feeling in the area — the back area of your calf where it connects to the heel. You might notice more pain in the morning or when you walk after prolonged sitting. Even though the pain subsides after using the tendon for a little bit, it is only because you have stretched it — it doesn’t mean it is healed.

If you ignore the signs of tendonitis, it can become worse and start exhibiting burning, sharp pains or shooting pains up and down the leg. Once this occurs, you might find it difficult to perform day-to-day tasks and doing the things you love.

The Four Common Causes of Achilles Tendonitis (heel pain)

1. Overuse – When you use the Achilles too much, it can become strained. If that strain doesn’t heal properly, it leads to painful tendonitis.
2. Overpronation – This occurs when your foot rolls into the arch of the foot — making your Achilles stretch more than it normally does. This is very common in people with flat feet. If you wear high heels a lot during the day, it can actually shorten your Achilles tendon, so when you wear flat shoes or running shoes you will overstretch your Achilles.
3. Short Calf Muscles – Even if you don’t wear heels, short calf muscles can cause your Achilles to tighten and when stretched, small tears form, which reduces your flexibility and increases your risk for tendonitis.
4. Inadequate Footwear – Sometimes Achilles tendonitis is caused by wearing the wrong type of footwear. When you do, you can cause supination, which is when the foot rolls out instead of in.

If you are overweight or suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, arthritis or gout you might also have Achilles tendonitis without any additional reason.

How our Chiropractic Care helps (in Bethlehem, PA)

When Achilles tendonitis does occur, you can quickly become overwhelmed. Your life is limited, your mobility is non-existent and you’re in pain when you try to go about your normal day to day activities.

Luckily, there is relief. We always assess your tendonitis issue and not only create a proven plan to treat it, but we locate the cause of your specific pain.

We don’t just prescribe medications and send you on your way. Instead, we take a holistic approach and get to the root of the problem — rather than covering it up which could result in your body sustaining an injury indefinitely.

Meet with Dr. Nicole Muschett today for a foot, ankle and knee pain consultation and see how she can help you treat and relieve your Achilles tendonitis for good.