Shoulder and back problems may be caused by injury, direct blows and disease, but often the cause is less dramatic. Problems may arise from lifting, moving the wrong way, reaching, pulling or repetitive movements. Maintaining good health to allow muscles and bones to heal may require vitamin supplementation to ensure an optimum environment for rehabilitation. Speak with a doctor for advice on vitamin supplementation.
Vitamin D
A study cited in the journal "Spine" involving individuals with chronic back pain found the patients to have a vitamin D deficiency. After supplementing the diet with vitamin D, the majority improved. The Linus Pauling Institute states that vitamin D is important for calcium balance in your body and for maintaining strong bones and muscles. The recommended daily allowance, or RDA, of vitamin D is 800 IU per day, with an upper intake level of 4,000 IU per day. Food sources include fortified foods, salmon, sardines and egg yolks. A natural source of vitamin D is sunshine, which is synthesized by your body.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C plays a key role in balancing the amount of bone that is absorbed by the body and the amount of new bone that is made. Working hand-in-hand with calcium, it is as important, states Baylor College of Medicine. Vitamin C is also required for the production of collagen, necessary for maintaining blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. To assist with the healing process involving back and shoulder problems, ensure that you take the RDA of vitamin C, 90mg per day. Foods that you may consume that contain vitamin C are citrus fruits, sweet red peppers, strawberries and tomatoes.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1, or thiamine, is a member of the B-complex family of vitamins. It is water-soluble, meaning it is not stored in the body but must be consumed daily. Thiamine is essential for good muscle functioning and assists with carbohydrate metabolism to produce energy, states the University of Maryland Medical Center. Healing may use extra energy reserves that vitamin B1 may help replenish, as well as assisting in reversing any muscle weakness. The RDA is 1.2mg per day. Food sources you may consider are wheat-germ cereal, fortified cereal, lean pork, long-grain brown rice and peas.
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