Years of research have detailed 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
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 discovered
that even a marginally enhanced intake of
vitamin D was linked to 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 Colorado Springs back pain, a common
problem that involves millions of people around the
world? Lately, research has shown
that there may be a link between small levels of
vitamin D and back pain. While the proof is still early,
it is vital for our Colorado Springs chiropractic
patients and The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR to realize what this possible
connection could mean for those suffering from chronic back pain.
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is a crucial 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 found
in foods such as dairy products, fish, eggs, mushrooms, and some
vegetables. Sunlight also offers natural sources of vitamin D—the
ultraviolet rays convert cholesterol in the skin into vitamin
D3 which is then absorbed into the bloodstream and stored
in fat tissues. Even in winter in Colorado Springs, sunlight helps!
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 optimal levels of vitamin D. One
study examined the association between 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 3 months
than those who had higher levels of vitamin D at baseline.
(2) Do you know your Colorado Springs 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 heightened risk for chronic or recurrent bouts
of back pain. (2) The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR 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 proper nutrition in the management of
a patient with 3 disc herniations via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management.
CONTACT The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR
Overall, there is evidence pointing to 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 Colorado Springs
chiropractic appointment with The Chiropractic TRUhealthDR, your partner
in spinal health.