Williamson Back Pain and Vitamin D: What to Know
Years of research have detailed advantageous activities of the hormone, vitamin D, on the skeleton, metabolic issues, cancer, inflammation, auto-immunity, endocrinopathies, and now adrenal diseases, diabetes, thyroiditis, and more. (1) Vitamin D’s reputation keeps getting better! Researchers today are evaluating vitamin D’s impacts on biomarkers like CRP, NPY, TNF-alpha, etc., after spinal manipulation and medical care. (2) In older adults who tend to not always take the recommended amount of vitamin D, researchers found that even a slightly increased intake of vitamin D was associated with 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 around the world? Lately, research has shown that there may be a link between low levels of vitamin D and back pain. While the proof is still preliminary, it is important for our Williamson chiropractic patients and Apple Country Chiropractic to realize what this possible connection could mean in managing 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 keeping them from getting brittle or weak. Vitamin D can be found in foods such as dairy products, fish, eggs, mushrooms, and some vegetables. Sunlight also provides natural sources of vitamin D—its ultraviolet rays convert 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 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 better levels of vitamin D. One report examined the association between biomarkers (such as vitamin D) and pain in acute and subacute low back pain patients over time by comparing biomarkers at baseline to changes in patient-reported results 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 3 months than those who had higher levels of vitamin D at baseline. (2) Do you know 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 adequate levels of the nutrient. This could suggest a relationship between low vitamin D level and increased risk 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 discusses the benefit of adequate 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 pointing to a link between a low Vitamin D level and an increased risk for chronic or recurrent episodes of back pain. Let us chat about your vitamin D level. Schedule your Williamson chiropractic appointment with Apple Country Chiropractic, your collaborator in spinal health.
