Both vitamin D deficiency and lower back pain are epidemics, as many travel physical therapy professionals may have discovered. Around 75 percent of U.S. teens and adults don't get enough vitamin D while some 80 percent of people worldwide experience a form of lower back pain. As it turns out, these problems are no mere coincidence, but rather play a part in each other.
Nicknamed the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for bone, skin and mental health, working to build strong bones by helping the body harness calcium from the diet. After decades of research, the sunshine vitamin is shown not only to be tied to diabetes prevention, heart health and happiness, but also factors in to chronic back pain.
While a number of variables may contribute to lower back pain, it appears that vitamin D could be an under-utilized game changer.
In a study published in the journal Spine, 350 participants suffering from chronic lower back pain were recruited for testing. About 83 percent of the group were deficient in vitamin D, notably higher than that of the average population. The subjects were given vitamin D supplements each day. When given adequate vitamin D, 100 percent of the vitamin D-deficient subjects saw a clinical improvement in their lower back pain.
Researchers concluded from their findings that the sunshine vitamin did indeed play a major role in chronic back pain, according to the National Institutes of Health. They went on to explain that screening for vitamin D deficiency should be performed for all patients.
Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients as well as one of the most significant indicators of long-term health. About 80 to 90 percent of our vitamin D comes from sun exposure, said Dr. Michael Holick, a professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at the Boston University Medical Center. That means traveling physical therapist and their patients should get outside as much as possible – walk or bike to work, jog after work or play recreational or club sports outside with friends.
Ways vitamin D may alleviate back pain
Vitamin D helps makes muscles stronger. As those on travel physical therapy jobs know, strong core muscles help support the spine and lower pain. By getting enough vitamin D, one can replenish his or her core muscles.
Additionally, vitamin D can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation worsens pain and may trigger further structural damage to the back. People who are vitamin D deficient have much higher levels of inflammatory markers than those who get enough vitamin D. Adequate vitamin D diminishes inflammation and has been shown to relieve lower back pain.
Recommended amounts of the sunshine vitamin
The Institute of Medicine recommends children and adults under age 70 get at least 600 International Units of vitamin D a day, and those older than 70 should strive for 800 IUs. It is also recommended that African-Americans take double the amount of vitamin D, because they have more melanin or pigment in their skin that makes it harder for the body to absorb the sun's ultraviolet rays which synthesize the vitamin. Furthermore, people should make a point of getting vitamin D in the winter when there is less sunlight.
"Especially in winter, [vitamin D deficient] adults feel more achiness in bones and muscles, and joints are a little more stiff when they get up in the morning," stated Holick.
Vitamin D also is found in a few foods including salmon, fish liver oils and egg yolks as well as fortified dairy products.