In the realm of health and wellness,
understanding the triggering causes of frequent
complaints, such as neck pain, often go beyond the surface. Manytimes,
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
San Jose chiropractic world: 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 contributes to the production of
DNA, nerves, and blood cells. Its deficiency, however, can manifest in various 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
presented with neck pain and
cervical radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy is a spinal pain condition where
spinal nerve roots
become irritated or inflamed, resulting in
symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck and arms. Through a thorough
examination similar to one we perform here at Chiropractic Solutions, 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 San Jose chiropractic treatment plan which considers nutritional deficiencies as possible
culprits for neuromusculoskeletal complaints. (1) For this
case’s patient and those who come to Chiropractic Solutions for holistic care, the appropriate
diagnosis leads to the proper 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, 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 overlooked but critical area to investigate. Your chiropractor can sort this out!
HOW TO ADDRESS 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 check B12 levels can avert
potential complications.
- Consultation: For chiropractic patients having
chronic neck pain without a clear diagnosis, talking about the
possibility of a B12 deficiency with your chiropractor or healthcare provider
can provide new possibilities for relief.
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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 San Jose chiropractic
appointment today. We are ready to not only find
the root cause of your neck pain and arm pain but
also set a plan toward pain relief with gentle
chiropractic treatment and nutrition as your condition may need.
The body’s systems are truly interrelated and
recover via a broader, more cohesive
approach to health and wellness like you’ll receive at Chiropractic Solutions.
See you soon!