Vitamin D for the treatment of chronic pain

As part of our series on pain relief, we turn to natural or complementary health options for the relief of acute and chronic pain, as an alternative or adjunct to opioids and other pharmaceutical analgesics. Vitamin D has been shown to reduce chronic pain and provide analgesic effects for those deficient, with approximately 23% of Australians deficient in vitamin D, this highlights a therapeutic potential for the prevention and reduction of pain.^1,2

Interestingly, low serum vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk for the development of opioid dependency, tolerance and side effects.³ Conversely, the use of opioids and other chronic pain medications have been connected to a reduction in vitamin D levels, suggesting a role for supplementation.³