LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION AND SUPPLEMENTATION IN A WOMAN WITH VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND NON SPECIFIC CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A CASE REPORT
Keywords:
vitamin D deficiency, chronic low back pain, supplementation, lifestyle modificationAbstract
Background: Non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency has been increasingly associated with CLBP through impaired bone metabolism, inflammation, and pain sensitization. Identifying and correcting vitamin D deficiency may improve clinical outcomes, particularly in patients without structural spinal abnormalities. Case Illustration: A 26-year-old woman presented with a three-month history of severe low back pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] score 8). Physical examination and lumbosacral MRI revealed no significant abnormalities. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was 11.6 ng/mL, confirming vitamin D deficiency. The patient received calcitriol 0.5 µg twice daily, vitamin D₃ 5,000 IU/day, calcium lactate 500 mg/day, nutritional counseling, daily 30-minute sun exposure, and regular exercise. After two months, serum vitamin D increased to 22.7 ng/mL with pain improvement (VAS 5). At three months, vitamin D normalized to 34.1 ng/mL and the patient achieved complete pain resolution (VAS 0). Discussion: The patient's clinical improvement supports the role of vitamin D optimization as part of a multimodal management strategy for non-specific CLBP. Vitamin D supplementation combined with lifestyle modification may reduce inflammation, improve musculoskeletal function, and enhance pain recovery, particularly in individuals with confirmed deficiency. Conclusion: Screening for vitamin D deficiency should be considered in patients with unexplained chronic low back pain. Combined vitamin D supplementation and lifestyle modification may represent a safe and effective adjunctive treatment for vitamin D deficiency–associated CLBP.
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