Heat, Hydration, and the Spine: Summer is a great time to stay active, but heat and dehydration can sneak up fast, and they have a bigger impact on your spine and nervous system than you might think. I know how easy it is to overlook hydration when you’re on the move. But here’s the truth: your spine needs water just as much as your muscles do. Each disc between your vertebrae is like a shock absorber, made mostly of water. When you’re even slightly dehydrated, those discs lose cushioning, and that leads to stiffness, discomfort, and strain on the nervous system. Your nervous system is what controls every function in your body, from digestion and immune response to body temperature and focus. It runs through the spine, and when spinal alignment is off, especially during high-activity, high-heat months, your body can’t communicate clearly between the brain and body. That’s when…