The CDC, aka Center for Disease Control and Prevention, estimates that nearly 14% of Americans are active smokers. It’s no surprise that smoking gives rise to a lot of health problems. Back pain and spine issues are such health conditions that have a strong connection to smoking habits.

In the blog below our pain management experts will be discussing how exactly smoking impacts spine health.

Smoking and Spine Health

Low Vitamin D

Smoking reduces the amount of vitamin D circulating in the blood. It also alters the efficiency with which vitamin D receptors act. Slowly, over time these lead to an onset of vitamin D deficiency in the individual's body. A moderate deficiency of vitamin D is associated with lower back pain and susceptibility to bone fractures.

Low Vitamin C

In a body that gets frequent exposure to smoking and nicotine, vitamin C undergoes metabolization much faster. The constantly low levels of vitamin C in the blood may be a potential factor against back pain, says pain management research.

Brain's Reaction to Pain

Two regions of the brain, namely, the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex communicate during chronic pain. The research found that in smokers these two parts communicate more strongly than others, meaning that regular smokers are more likely to experience episodes of acute pain.

When a person gives up smoking, the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex are no longer very sensitively connected and as a result, the pain ceases to be as discomfiting.

Other Effects of Nicotine on Spine

The nicotine present in a cigarette diminishes the amount of blood flowing to the spine. This means that the vertebral discs and bones are prone to faster degeneration. When the cushions between your bones are no longer as effective, it causes back pain.

Since nicotine is also responsible for restricting calcium absorption in the body, smokers are also at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. They may also be prone to fractures and slow bone healing.

And lastly, a smoker's cough too can cause discomfort in the spine and back owing to the repeated jerking motion.

Can Back Pain Occur After Quitting as a Withdrawal Symptom?

Quitting smoking is rewarding. Nonetheless, like any ill habit, it's not easy to forgo. Heavy smokers are likely to experience mild to moderate body pain (including the back) early into soberness. Nicotine withdrawal drops the body's natural levels of serotonin. With a decrease in serotonin comes a higher sensitivity to pain. Therefore, smokers struggling with chronic pain get the advice of going easy during the quitting process. Pain management clinics suggest using nicotine patches can be a great way to assuage symptoms of pain.

Let Our Multidisciplinary Approach to Pain Help You

Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers provides comprehensive evaluation to its patients before working out a balanced approach to pain management. Schedule an appointment at (405) 751-011 to live pain-free.

**Disclaimer: These tips are not advised or suggested by doctors. The products that are promoted here are not FDA CERTIFIED to treat, cure or prevent any disease.