Hydration before electrotherapy – stronger effect!

The various electrotherapy treatments are very effective for many problems. They are excellent for pain relief (TENS, MENS), reducing inflammation (MCR), muscle treatment (EMS), abnormal sweating (iontophoresis), etc. The effectiveness of these treatments is influenced by one very simple factor: your body's water content. Let's see why hydration is important!

A simple example of the role of water. You have probably had a houseplant at home. If you forgot to water it, it would first wilt and then die without water. However, if you water it from time to time, its stems and leaves remain supple and it will bloom or bear fruit. Water is just as important for your body, because

More than half of your body is water!

Most of the water is inside the cells, partly in the extracellular space and of course in the blood vessels. Blood is 83–85% water, skin is 70–75% water. The cells of the heart, liver and kidneys are 70–80% water. The lungs are 80% water. Even bones contain about 20% water. Muscles and the brain are about 75% water. Adipose tissue contains about 10% water.

The importance of water

Water is essential for the proper functioning of all cellular functions. Cellular function determines muscle function, as muscles are made up of millions of muscle cells.

Water helps supply nutrients to cells and keeps the skin supple. It also helps flush out waste products produced in cells and muscles.

If the cells are healthy, the muscles are healthy. But if cellular function is poor, muscle function cannot be good either.

Consequences of dehydration

You lose two to three liters of water each day just by breathing. The amount increases if you exercise and sweat.

Fluid loss changes muscle performance. In mild cases it causes "only" cramps. In more extreme cases it can cause severe injuries, such as muscle tears.

Dehydration (low body water content) thickens the blood, worsens oxygen delivery to the muscles and the transport of nutrients to the cells, which results in fatigue and low energy levels.

What happens if you stimulate with poor hydration?

If you want a comfortable and effective electrostimulation treatment, you need to keep your hydration status in mind. Let's see what inadequate water content does to the organs affected by stimulation.

Skin. The skin is the body's largest organ. For the nerve to "fire" and trigger a muscle contraction in response to an electrical impulse, the electricity must pass through the skin. Poor hydration causes two things.

• the conduction of the electrical current is not optimal.
• stimulation causes itching and an unpleasant sensation.

The better hydrated your body is, the less unpleasant the treatment will be.

Muscles. If the muscles are not properly hydrated, they cannot perform at their best. Even worse, they cannot regenerate properly.

Muscle cramps and injuries occur more frequently when muscles are not properly hydrated.

During muscle stimulation it will be harder to increase the intensity and muscle recovery will be slower or worse.

Cells. A cell must be perfectly hydrated to eliminate waste and produce energy. Strength, recovery, energy, etc., depend on the state of the cells. The necessary energy is produced in the mitochondria of the cells. These are the structures that create the ATP, the "fuel" needed for cellular functions.

If cellular function is impaired due to poor hydration, they will not be able to produce the fuel needed for muscle exertion and quality regeneration. Of the three "players" involved in electrostimulation, the mitochondria are undoubtedly the most important, because if they are not healthy, nothing in the body will function properly.

Hydration – how to do it?

You may remember from physics: electricity conducts better in a watery medium! Therefore an electrical treatment is more effective if your body's cells contain an adequate amount of water, i.e. are hydrated.

Throughout the day you must ensure your body receives enough water for proper function. Fruits and vegetables contain a high percentage of water, which helps maintain hydration. They also provide vitamins and minerals that are essential for all repair and regeneration processes.

As for how much water you need... Some say two liters, others (especially if you exercise and sweat) say at least four liters. Let's agree that water needs depend on many factors and are individual. It varies from person to person.

What is clear is to avoid sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, carbonated soft drinks or industrial fruit juices. Your body does not need these at all.

Pure water is the real thing.

If you don't know whether you are sufficiently hydrated for an effective electrostimulation treatment, drink a large glass of water before starting the session. Put on the electrodes, connect the cables and start the treatment. That amount of water will ensure your skin, muscles and cells are properly hydrated for the stimulation.

When you finish, drink another glass. This will ensure your muscles have enough water for regeneration as well.