Supplements for Back Pain

Some nutritional supplements can effectively relieve back pain without producing the undesirable side effects or having the potential for addiction that many prescription medications do. According to Cure Back Pain,cure-backpain.org, many supplements not only help to alleviate back pain, they can also help improve a person's overall health.

• Supplements for Back Pain

Vitamin B-12

• According to Easy Immune Health,easy-immune-health.com, patients with a Vitamin B-12 deficiency are at risk for developing peripheral neuropathy, a condition in which the nerves produce numbness and moderate to severe back pain. Patients who experience this condition due to a Vitamin B-12 deficiency usually have a reduction in their back pain once the deficiency is corrected. This vitamin is also water soluble, so those taking it do not have to worry about taking too much because any excess will be excreted in the urine.

Vitamin D

• The Mayo Clinic says a Vitamin D deficiency can lead to weak bones and weak muscles. When muscles are weak and are poorly toned, patients may experience back pain. Weak bones are easily fractured, which can contribute to more back pain. Vitamin D can be be helpful, especially for patients who do not get enough sunlight. When a patient is deficient in this vitamin they can experience aches and pains and they are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Patients must be careful when taking Vitamin D, though, because too much can be mildly toxic.

Calcium

• Calcium is essential for strong, healthy bones. A calcium deficiency can lead to unprotected nerve tissues, bone fractures, joint inflammation, joint pain, spinal bone spurs, a reduction in bone mass, stress and tension, and cartilage deterioration, and it is a leading cause of osteoporosis. All these can contribute to back pain. When patients with back pain do not get enough calcium from foods they eat, they can take a supplement.

Magnesium

• Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for healthy back muscles and strong bones. A magnesium deficiency can cause moderate to severe muscle spasms, poor nerve conduction (sending too many pain signals), increased tension, poor sleep, toxin build-up in the body's tissues, and poor spinal vertebrae positioning, all of which can lead to back pain. Magnesium is a mineral found in foods such as legumes, green vegetables, whole grains and nuts. Patients who experience back pain and do not consume enough of these foods can opt to take a magnesium supplement.

Protein

• Protein is present in many foods such as nuts, poultry and red meat, but many patients suffering from back pain do not get adequate amounts of protein. Taking a protein supplement can help to ensure you are getting enough of this important muscle-tissue building block. Not consuming adequate amounts of protein can lead to weak and poorly toned muscles, and to muscle-related back pain.