Approximately 50 percent of all adults working in the United States report back pain at least once per year, the American Chiropractic Association reports. Back pain can result in disability, anxiety and even depression in certain people. If you have back pain talk to your doctor to see what treatments may help you before using vitamin B12. Additionally, you may want to consider vitamin B12 as part of your back pain management plan. Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin in the water-soluble B-complex family. Vitamin B12 has a number of important roles in the body. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, this nutrient is used for blood cell formation and repair, production of DNA and the maintenance of brain cells. If you are vegan, are of an advanced age or have issues with your digestive tract, you are at heightened risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, the ODS notes. Researchers from the Italian Università degli Studi di Palermo set out to investigate the effects of vitamin B12 supplementation on those with persistent back pain.
In this study, published in the May 2000 edition of the "European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences," a group of 60 volunteers with back pain were given either vitamin B12 injections or a placebo. The researchers found that the vitamin B12 significantly reduced the pain levels of most of the research subjects. Importantly, the vitamin B12 injections worked for those with and without a deficiency in this vitamin. The study authors note that vitamin B12 may aid in back pain relief due to its role in the nervous system. Even people with normal blood levels of vitamin B12 may not have enough to produce healthy nerve cells in the spine, the authors note. Supplemental vitamin B12 can help your body replace damaged spinal nerve cells with healthy new versions. Additionally, B vitamins reduce inflammation, a common cause of chronic back pain. If you suspect that low vitamin B12 levels may be behind your back pain, talk to a doctor to see if injections are right for you.
Although generally safe, vitamin B12 injections are not safe for everyone. To boost your vitamin B12 intake through diet, add vitamin B12-rich foods such as lean beef, eggs, fatty fish, clams, dairy, tempeh and fortified cereals. If you're vegetarian, some seafood comes with B12, or consider supplementing with vitamin B12, as a vegan should, to ensure you meet your daily intake target of 2.4 micrograms per day. Epsom Salts for Back Pain What is Colloidal Silver Treatment for Back Pain? How to Soak in Epsom Salt How to Make an Epsom Salts Compress Vitamin B-Complex and Pain Management B12 & Sciatic Nerve Pain The Best Yoga Moves for Your Back Magnesium for Back Pain Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain How Do Epsom Salts Reduce Swelling? Vitamins for Back Pain When Will I Feel Better With B12? Vitamin B-12 Deficiencies & Leg Spasms Can a Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cause Arthritis Symptoms? How to Fix Back Pain How Does B12 Affect the Menstrual Cycle?
How to Soak a Swollen Ankle in Epsom Salts Weight Training Exercises That Strengthen the Lower Back 5 Myths About Back Pain Debunked Yoga for Lower Back Arthritis ReliefEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2000 May-Jun;4(3):53-8.Mauro GL1, Martorana U, Cataldo P, Brancato G, Letizia G.Author information1Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica con Fisioterapia e Medicina dello Sport, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy.AbstractOBJECTIVES: The objective of this double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled study was to examine the efficacy and safety intramuscular vitamin B12 (Tricortin 1000) in the treatment of low back pain in patients with mechanical or irritative lumbago.METHODS: 60 patients aged between 18 and 65 years with lumbago or sciatic neuritis of mechanical origin without need for surgical procedures were enrolled. Patients had to present with a proven medical history for back pain (lasting from 6 months to 5 years) and a pain intensity [as evaluated with a Visual Analogic Scale (VAS)] equal or greater than 60 mm. Efficacy primary end-point was evaluated by means of a visual analogic scale (VAS) and a Disability Questionnaire (DQ).
Consumption of paracetamol during the study period was the secondary efficacy end-point.RESULTS: Both treatment groups experienced a sharp decrease in pain and disability. However, comparison between groups at the end of the treatment period showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the active treatment both for VAS and DQ (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0002, respectively). Consumption of paracetamol proved significantly higher in the placebo group than in the active treatment (p < 0.0001).CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy and safety of parenteral Vitamin B12 in alleviating low back pain and related disability and in decreasing the consumption of paracetamol was confirmed in patients with no signs of nutritional deficiency.PMID: 11558625 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Publication typesClinical TrialRandomized Controlled TrialMeSH termsAdolescentAdultAgedDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansInjections, IntramuscularLow Back Pain/drug therapy*MaleMiddle AgedPain MeasurementSciatica/drug therapyVitamin B 12/administration & dosageVitamin B 12/adverse effectsVitamin B 12/therapeutic use*SubstanceVitamin B 12MiscellaneousCYANOCOBALAMIN - Hazardous Substances Data Bank
Adverse reactions following a vitamin B12 injection may occur. Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin, is a nutrient the body needs for important functions such as making DNA in cells and forming red blood cells. Animal products, such as meat, milk and eggs contain vital vitamin B12. Most individuals get enough vitamin B12 with a balanced diet. People who do not absorb vitamin B12 correctly through the gastrointestinal tract may require supplement injections. Although vitamin B12 injections are generally safe, some adverse reactions may occur. Always consult a medical professional if adverse reactions occur after receiving medications. Swelling and Skin Reactions A possible reaction to a cyanocobalamin injection is swelling. The swelling may occur in the arms, legs, hands, ankles and feet. Some people may also feel like their entire body is swollen, according to MedlinePlus. Rapid weight gain may also occur. Skin reactions that may occur following a vitamin B12 shot include flushing of the skin, especially the face, hives, rash and itching.
Gastrointestinal Reactions Some people may experience reactions in the gastrointestinal tract after getting a vitamin B12 shot. Nervous System Reactions After getting a vitamin B12 injection some people may experience a disturbance to the nervous system. These symptoms may include dizziness, difficulty walking normally, nervousness, anxiety, weakness and uncoordinated movements. Additional Reactions Generalized pain, including arthritis, back pain and muscle pain may occur after a vitamin B12 injection. Infections may also occur. An abnormal increase in red blood cells, a runny nose, chest pain, a swollen tongue and fever are additional adverse reactions that may occur after the injection. An unusual warmth, pain or redness in the arm or leg is a serious potential side effect. These symptoms indicate a potential blood clot and require medical attention. Allergic Reactions Although it is a rare occurrence, an allergic reaction may occur following a vitamin B12 injection. If a reaction occurs it is usually within several weeks after the first injection.