Years of research have recorded advantageous
actions 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 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 marginally enhanced intake of
vitamin D was associated with a lower incidence of
pain over 5 years plus to frequency of pain, severity, and
number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and Manchester back pain, a common
problem that influences 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 early,
it is vital for our Manchester chiropractic
patients and Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries to realize what this potential
connection could mean in managing 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 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 offers 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 Manchester, sunlight helps!
HOW CAN VITAMIN D HELP WITH BACK PAIN?
Research suggests that those with lower
levels of vitamin D may be more prone to have
chronic back pain than those with optimal levels of vitamin D. One
study linked 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 outcomes at three months.
The results demonstrated 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 better levels of vitamin D at the start.
(2) What’s your Manchester 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 odds for chronic or recurrent bouts
of back pain. (2) Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries 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 managing
a patient with 3 disc herniations via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
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 Manchester
chiropractic appointment with Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries, your partner
in spinal health.