In the realm of health and wellness,
understanding the underlying causes of common
complaints, such as neck pain, goes beyond the surface. Manytimes,
the root issues may originate from nutritional
deficiencies rather than just physical damage or injury. This
brings us to a fascinating and less-discussed topic in the
Plainville chiropractic community: the effect
of a deficiency of vitamin B12 on neck pain and
radiculopathy.
THE HIDDEN CULPRIT: B12 DEFICIENCY
Vitamin B12, an essential nutrient found in meat, fish, and
dairy products, plays a critical role in our
body. It impacts the production of
DNA, nerves, and blood cells. Its deficiency, however, can be
evident in a variety of ways, often misleading, as
was well demonstrated 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 coming from the spinal cord
become irritated or inflamed, causing
symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck and arms. Through a thorough
examination similar to one we perform here at Layden Chiropractic, it was
surprisingly found that the root cause of
the patient's symptoms was a severe deficiency in Vitamin B12.
This finding is quite notable as it shows
the importance of our Plainville chiropractic treatment plan which bears
in mind nutritional deficiencies as possible
contributors to neuromusculoskeletal complaints. (1) For this
case’s patient and those who come to Layden Chiropractic for holistic care, the appropriate
diagnosis leads to the appropriate chiropractic care (often a blend
of Cox® Technic spinal manipulation, exercise, and nutrition) that leads to pain
relief.
THE BROADER IMPLICATION FOR CHIROPRACTIC PATIENTS
What this shows us is that for anyone suffering from persistent neck pain, radiculopathy, or other
neuromusculoskeletal issues, checking Vitamin B12
levels could be important. 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, considering
fortified foods or supplements can be quite helpful.
- 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 prevent
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 Layden Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Umar Ellahie, on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Schedule your Plainville chiropractic
appointment soon. We’re ready to not only discover
the underlying source of your neck pain and arm pain but
also design a path toward pain relief with gentle
chiropractic treatment and nutrition as your condition may need.
The body’s systems are truly interrelated and
do well with a broader, more integrated
approach to health and wellness like you’ll find at Layden Chiropractic.
See you soon!