Vancouver Back Pain and Vitamin D: What to Know

January 26, 2023

Years of research have documented 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 analyzing vitamin D’s effects 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 Vancouver back pain, a common problem that involves millions of people worldwide? 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 Vancouver chiropractic patients and Vancouver Disc Centers to realize what this possible connection could mean in managing 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 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 offers natural sources of vitamin D—the 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 Vancouver, 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 have chronic back pain than those with better levels of vitamin D. One report 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’ follow-up. 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 baseline. (2) What’s your Vancouver 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 better 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) Vancouver Disc Centers 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 Vancouver Disc Centers

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 us talk about your vitamin D level. Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic appointment with Vancouver Disc Centers, your collaborator in spinal health. 

 
Vancouver back pain and vitamin D