Hydration & Joint Health: Why Your Summer Movement Might Feel Stiff
It’s heating up out there—are your joints feeling it?
As temperatures rise and summer activities ramp up, many active adults start to notice a familiar pattern: tightness, fatigue, and extra stiffness that seems to show up out of nowhere. If you’ve been running, lifting, playing tennis, or simply staying active outdoors, hydration might be playing a bigger role than you think.
Active woman in Bluffton hydrating post-workout to support joint health and muscle recovery
Dehydration Affects More Than Just Energy
When your body is dehydrated, your fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and joints) becomes less pliable. This can lead to reduced mobility, joint stiffness, and increased post-workout soreness. Dehydration also slows your body’s ability to recover—which means more lingering tension and a higher risk of injury.
Hydration Tip for Athletes & Active Adults
Aim to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water per day—and increase that on days when you’re sweating more than usual. But here’s the catch: It’s not just about the water—it’s about absorption.
To help your body actually use what you’re drinking (instead of flushing it out), try adding:
A pinch of high-quality salt (like Himalayan or sea salt)
A splash of 100% lemon juice
An electrolyte supplement or tablet
These simple additions support better hydration at the cellular level, keeping your joints happy, fascia supple, and muscles firing the way they should.
Still Feeling Tight?
Even with good hydration, chronic tension can build up—especially around the hips, neck, and low back. If your body still feels bound up despite your best efforts, a dry needling session at The Well Co. might be the reset you need. It’s one of our favorite tools for releasing deep muscular tension and restoring full, pain-free movement.
Need help figuring out if dry needling or hands-on treatment is right for you?
Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call with one of our physical therapists—we’ll talk through what’s going on and guide you toward your next best step.
📞 Call or text us at 843-308-1453 to schedule.