In healthcare,
understanding the triggering causes of common
complaints, such as neck pain, goes beyond the surface. Manytimes,
the root issues may stem from nutritional
deficiencies rather than just physical damage or injury. This
brings us to a fascinating and less-discussed topic in the
New Roads 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, performs a critical role in our
body. It influences the production of
DNA, nerves, and blood cells. Its deficiency, however, can be
evident in numerous ways, often misleading, as
was vividly illustrated 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, resulting in
symptoms like pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck and arms. Through a thorough
examination similar to one we perform here at New Roads Chiropractic Center, it was
unexpectedly found that the root cause of
the patient's symptoms was a severe deficiency in Vitamin B12.
This finding is significant as it shows
the importance of our New Roads chiropractic treatment plan which considers nutritional deficiencies as potential
contributors to neuromusculoskeletal complaints. (1) For this
case’s patient and those who come to New Roads Chiropractic Center for holistic care, the appropriate
diagnosis leads to the appropriate chiropractic care (often a mix
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 dealing
with persistent neck pain, radiculopathy, or similar
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 unnoticed 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 screen for B12 levels can avert
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 offer new possibilities for relief.
CONTACT New Roads Chiropractic Center
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 New Roads chiropractic
appointment today. We’re ready to not only discover
the root cause of your neck pain and arm pain but
also set a path toward pain relief with gentle
chiropractic treatment and nutrition as your condition may demand.
The body’s systems are really interrelated and
do well with a broader, more cohesive
approach to health and wellness like you’ll receive at New Roads Chiropractic Center.
See you soon!