In healthcare,
understanding the underlying causes of common
complaints, such as neck pain, often go beyond the surface. Frequently,
the root issues may stem from nutritional
deficiencies rather than just physical strain or injury. This
brings us to a fascinating and less-discussed topic in the
Montreal chiropractic community: the effect
of Vitamin B12 deficiency on neck pain and
radiculopathy.
THE HIDDEN CULPRIT: B12 DEFICIENCY
Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient found in meat, fish, and
dairy products, performs a critical role in our
body. It impacts the production of
DNA, nerves, and blood cells. Its deficiency, however, can manifest in numerous ways, often misleading, as
was vividly illustrated in a recent case
report by Mehta A, Lynch W, Jha P. (2024). This particular
case revolves around a patient who
came in with neck pain and
cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy is a spinal pain condition where
nerve roots extending from the spinal cord
become aggravated or inflamed, resulting in
symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck and arms. Through a comprehensive
examination similar to one we perform here at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic, it was
surprisingly found that the root cause of
the patient's symptoms was a critical deficiency in Vitamin B12.
This finding is quite notable as it shows
the importance of our Montreal chiropractic treatment plan which considers nutritional deficiencies as possible
contributors to neuromusculoskeletal complaints. (1) For this
case’s patient and those who come to Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic for holistic care, the proper
diagnosis leads to the appropriate chiropractic care (often a mix
of Cox® Technic spinal manipulation, exercise, and nutrition) that leads to pain
relief.
THE BROADER IMPLICATION FOR CHIROPRACTIC PATIENTS
What this tells us is that for anyone dealing
with persistent neck pain, radiculopathy, or other
neuromusculoskeletal issues, considering a check on Vitamin B12
levels could be quite revealing. The symptoms
of B12 deficiency, including fatigue, weakness, numbness, or tingling, can
overlap with those associated with neck issues, making it an
easily unnoticed but critical area to explore. Your chiropractor can sort this out!
HOW TO MANAGE AND PREVENT B12 DEFICIENCY
- Dietary Choices: Ensure your diet includes
adequate amounts of Vitamin B12. For those on a vegan or vegetarian diet, incorporating
fortified foods or supplements can be beneficial.
- Regular Screening: Especially for individuals at risk (e.g.,
older adults, vegetarians, and those with gastrointestinal disorders), regular
blood tests to screen for B12 levels can avert
potential complications.
- Consultation: For chiropractic patients having
chronic neck pain without a clear diagnosis, discussing the
possibility of a B12 deficiency with your chiropractor or healthcare provider
can provide new possibilities for relief.
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Umar Ellahie, on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
illustrates The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Montreal chiropractic
appointment soon. We are ready to not only find
the root source of your neck pain and arm pain but
also design a plan toward pain relief with gentle
chiropractic treatment and nutrition as your condition may need.
The body’s systems are really interconnected and
recover via a broader, more cohesive
approach to health and wellness like you’ll receive at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic.
See you soon!