Years of research have documented beneficial
activities of the hormone, vitamin D, on the skeleton, inflammation,
cancer, metabolic issues,
auto-immunity, endocrinopathies, and now adrenal diseases, diabetes,
thyroiditis, and more. (1) Vitamin D’s reputation keeps
growing! Researchers now are testing
vitamin D’s impacts on biomarkers like CRP, NPY, TNF-alpha, etc.,
after spinal manipulation and medical care. (2) In older adults who don’t always take the recommended amount of vitamin D, researchers described
that even a slightly increased intake of
vitamin D was linked to a lower incidence of
pain over 5 years in addition to frequency of pain, severity, and
number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and Williamson back pain, a common
problem that involves millions of people worldwide? Lately, research has shown
that there may be a link between small levels of
vitamin D and back pain. While the evidence is still preliminary,
it’s vital for our Williamson chiropractic
patients and Apple Country Chiropractic to realize what this potential
connection could mean for those suffering from chronic back pain.
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps
your body absorb calcium from the food you eat. It also helps bones stay strong and healthy by keeping them
from getting brittle or weak. Vitamin D can be absorbed from foods such as dairy products, fish, eggs, mushrooms, and some
vegetables. Sunlight also provides natural sources of vitamin D—its
ultraviolet rays transform cholesterol in the skin into vitamin
D3 which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and are deposited
in fat tissues. Even in winter in Williamson, sunlight does its job!
HOW CAN VITAMIN D HELP WITH BACK PAIN?
Research suggests that those with lower
levels of vitamin D may be more likely to have
chronic back pain than those with better levels of vitamin D. One
study linked biomarkers
(such as vitamin D) and pain in acute and subacute low back pain patients over
time via comparison of biomarkers at baseline to changes
in patient-reported outcomes at three months.
The results showed that those who had decreased
levels of vitamin D were more likely to have higher levels of
disability related to their low back pain at follow-up
than those who had higher levels of vitamin D at baseline.
(2) What’s your Williamson vitamin D level?
CHECK YOUR VITAMIN D LEVEL
Researchers have found that those with lower levels of
Vitamin D tend to report more frequent episodes of back pain than their
counterparts with enhanced levels of the nutrient. This
could indicate a link between low vitamin D
level and increased odds for chronic or recurrent episodes
of back pain. (2) Apple Country Chiropractic suggests you listen to this podcast with Dr.
James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he reviews the
benefit of proper nutrition in the management of
a patient with 3 disc herniations via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Overall, there is evidence suggesting a
link between a low Vitamin D level and an increased possibility for
chronic or recurrent episodes of back pain. Let’s talk
about your vitamin D level. Make your Williamson
chiropractic appointment with Apple Country Chiropractic, your partner
in spinal health.