Years of research have recorded beneficial
actions of the hormone, vitamin D, on the skeleton, metabolic issues, cancer, inflammation,
auto-immunity, endocrinopathies, and now adrenal diseases, diabetes,
thyroiditis, and others. (1) Vitamin D’s reputation keeps
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 found
that even a slightly enhanced intake of
vitamin D was associated with a lesser incidence of
pain over 5 years plus to frequency of pain, severity, and
number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and Montreal back pain, a common
problem that influences 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 early,
it is vital for our Montreal chiropractic
patients and Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic to understand what this potential
connection could mean in managing chronic back pain.
WHAT IS VITAMIN D?
Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that assists
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 Montreal, sunlight does its job!
HOW CAN VITAMIN D HELP WITH BACK PAIN?
Research suggests that those with decreased
levels of vitamin D may be more prone to experience
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 differences
in patient-reported outcomes at three months.
The results showed 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 Montreal 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 risk for chronic or recurrent episodes
of back pain. (2) Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic 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 Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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’s talk
about your vitamin D level. Schedule your Montreal
chiropractic appointment with Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic, your collaborator
in spinal health.