I believe the idea that muscles come in pairs to stabilize the spine; and that if one of the pairs are weak, the other muscle often goes into spasm. The spasm is actually a good thing as it safeguards the spine by making sure overextension is not an option. That type of muscle spasm usually won’t respond to calcium/magnesium or even herbal muscle relaxers like valerian root. But the weak muscles can often be strengthened with the use of low potency B vitamins. Often the strengthening of a weak muscle will allow the opposing muscle to turn off or stop the spasm process. One way to evaluate the need for those low potency B vitamins is to have the patient do a series of range of motion tests as a baseline. Note: Use the range of motion test that has the greatest inhibition.
Taste a low potency B Complex and retest the inhibited test. The tasting of the nutrient actually causes a neurological response and temporarily will signal the muscle to strengthen when a deficiency exists. When the muscle strengthens, the corresponding muscle in spasm relaxes and allows for a greater range of motion. For some patients, the supplementation of low dose B vitamins has produced dramatic results. Remember B vitamins are depleted with stress and excess carbohydrate ingestion. Know anybody that is under stress and consumes excess carbohydrates? about 90% of us probably. Personally, this strategy has been a real God send to me. Chiropractic care has helped considerably; but if I get stressed out and don’ take care of myself as I should, my low back gets tender. However, when I use B 100, mytender back pain is relieved.
Now of course we can use chondroprotective agents like glucosamine or chondroitin sulfates to feed the joints and connective tissue but remember those agents are more for joint repair whereas we are focusing here on the muscles.
Dr. George Goodheart in the late 60’s and early 70’s found that vitamin E, and to a lesser degree probiotics, can sometimes have a profound effect on lower body muscles and hips that support the low back. He went a step further and found that sometimes the body wants a low dose vitamin E and sometimes a higher dose. How do we know which product to use? That’s where the range of motion test comes into play. Establish the range of motion noting the muscles with greatest limitation. Place 3 or 4 drops of low dose vitamin E on the tongue and taste it. Once the patient tastes the supplement have them repeat the test and see if the range of motion is increased. We know that when nutrients are tasted, we activate sensory receptors which feed into the brain and cause a feed back into the spinal cord and ultimately the muscle responds. There is literally a neurological response to taste. Try mixed tocopherols.
