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Richmond Back Pain and Vitamin D: What to Know

Years of research have documented beneficial actions of the hormone, vitamin D, on the skeleton, inflammation, cancer, metabolic issues, auto-immunity, endocrinopathies, and now adrenal diseases, diabetes, thyroiditis, and others. (1) Vitamin D’s reputation continues getting better! Researchers today are testing vitamin D’s effects 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 lesser incidence of pain over 5 years in addition to frequency of pain, severity, and number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and Richmond back pain, a common problem that involves millions of people worldwide? Recently, research has shown that there may be a link between low levels of vitamin D and back pain. While the proof is still early, it’s vital for our Richmond chiropractic patients and Johnson Chiropractic to grasp what this possible connection could mean for those suffering from chronic back pain.

WHAT IS VITAMIN D?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that assists your body absorb calcium from the food you eat. It also helps keep bones healthy and strong by preventing them from becoming 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—the ultraviolet rays transform cholesterol in the skin into vitamin D3 which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and stored in fat tissues. Even in winter in Richmond, sunlight is beneficial!

HOW CAN VITAMIN D HELP WITH BACK PAIN?

Research suggests that those with lower levels of vitamin D may be more prone to experience chronic back pain than those with optimal levels of vitamin D. One report 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 differences in patient-reported outcomes at three months. The results demonstrated that those who had decreased levels of vitamin D were more likely to experience higher levels of disability correlated with their low back pain at follow-up than those who had better levels of vitamin D at the start. (2) Do you know your Richmond 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 better levels of the nutrient. This could indicate a relationship between low vitamin D level and increased odds for chronic or recurrent episodes of back pain. (2) Johnson 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 adequate nutrition in managing a patient with 3 disc herniations via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

CONTACT Johnson 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 us talk about your vitamin D level. Make your Richmond chiropractic appointment with Johnson Chiropractic, your collaborator in spinal health. 

 
Richmond back pain and vitamin D  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."