What Minerals & Vitamins Are Good For Back Pain?

Most people have experienced the discomfort of back pain at one time or another in their lives. According to Medline Plus, back pain has affected as much as 80 percent of the population of the world. In most cases, back pain is acute, characterized by sudden onset and lasting a few days or weeks. This pain is usually caused by injury that occurs from lifting improperly, poor posture or other sudden movements that create small tears in the ligaments. Over-the-counter medications for pain can be effective in treating this kind of back pain; however, they also can cause unwanted side effects like stomach upset. You may find relief from back pain by using certain minerals and vitamins, in conjunction with other therapies to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for your body's production of bone and muscle tissue and low levels of this nutrient are associated with increased requirements for narcotic pain medication in patients with chronic pain. MayoClinic.com, which was responsible for this 2009 study, explains that vitamin D deficiencies are often overlooked as a source of both pain and impaired neuromuscular function. Exposure to natural light, as well as consuming foods that are vitamin D-fortified, are ways you can increase your intake. Daily vitamin D supplements can also help reverse and prevent a vitamin D deficiency that can lead to increased pain.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential mineral that your body uses to maintain neurological, muscular and cellular functioning. In addition, magnesium facilitates the absorption of calcium into your bones, so a deficiency of magnesium can lead to weakening of bone structure. In fact, a deficiency of magnesium often manifests with symptoms including back and neck pain, as well as muscle weakness that can lead to poor posture or tissue injury that can cause back pain. Supplemental magnesium should be taken with supplemental calcium in a 1:2 ratio of calcium to magnesium, because they work synergistically in your body. Generally, supplements containing both minerals will provide them in this ratio, but be sure to read nutritional labels before purchasing a supplement.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and enhance healing. Back pain, particularly the type resulting from an injury to the joints or soft tissue between them, is usually caused by inflammation in these small, cramped areas. As a result, pain may appear to be worse because the inflamed areas have reached the capacity of the joint, placing pressure on the nerves. Taking supplemental vitamin C may help reduce pain caused by this type of inflammation and can help you get back on your feet sooner. Additionally, the University of Maryland recommends that you maintain a diet high in vitamin C, including fresh fruits and vegetables, to fight inflammation before it begins.

Vitamin B-12

Vitamin B-12 is an effective anti-inflammatory that can help relieve pain caused by degeneration of the lower spine. A 2000 study published in the "European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences" also found vitamin B-12 to be effective in treating lower back pain and related motion impairment. In addition, the patients in this study were able to decrease their reliance on anti-inflammatory medications with the administration of high doses of vitamin B-12. This reduction in usage of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can have adverse side effects, suggests that ongoing supplemental vitamin B-12 may be useful in reducing the financial burden of recurring back pain.