West Des Moines Back Pain and Vitamin D: What to Know

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 continues growing! 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 described that even a marginally increased intake of vitamin D was linked to a lower incidence of pain over 5 years in addition to frequency of pain, severity, and number of pain locations. (3) What about vitamin D and West Des Moines back pain, a familiar problem that influences millions of people around the world? Recently, 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 West Des Moines chiropractic patients and Executive Chiropractic of Iowa to realize what this possible connection could mean for those suffering from 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—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 West Des Moines, 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 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 related to their low back pain at follow-up than those who had better levels of vitamin D at the start. (2) What’s your West Des Moines 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 suggest a relationship between low vitamin D level and heightened odds for chronic or recurrent episodes of back pain. (2) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa 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 Executive Chiropractic of Iowa

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 chat about your vitamin D level. Make your West Des Moines chiropractic appointment with Executive Chiropractic of Iowa, your partner in spinal health. 

 
West Des Moines back pain and vitamin D  
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"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."