Successful Chiropractic Management Of Nerve Dysfunction

By Dr. Howard Benedikt and Dr. Richard H. Mann

As chiropractors we are all very aware of the essential role nutrition plays in optimizing the functioning of the nervous system and spinal nerves. That is why I became a board-certified chiropractic nutritionist and why I am constantly researching the scientific literature for advances in nutritional science that we can use to improve patient care and clinical outcomes in our profession.

I'd like to share with you what I have recently discovered. Over the past ten years the use of benfotiamine, a highly bioactive fat-soluble form of vitamin B1, has grown dramatically. Thousands of clinicians now commonly dispense it in their offices to improve nerve function in their patients suffering from numbness, tingling, burning and other symptoms of nerve dysfunction. I use it frequently and with considerable success on patients with compromised nerve function due to compression of the spinal nerves and other nerve problems.

Benfotiamine works by elevating vitamin B1 levels. Vitamin B1 is essential in the generation of cellular energy within all nerve cells. Vitamin B1 deficiency is believed to be an important and often overlooked factor in the peripheral and central nerve dysfunction commonly experienced by diabetics, the elderly, people with a history of excessive alcohol use and other groups. Patients with vitamin B1 deficiency exhibit many symptoms including burning, tingling, pain and numbness in the feet and legs. They also commonly experience cognitive decline, nerve inflammation and fatigue. Weight loss due to loss of appetite in the elderly may be associated with vitamin B1 deficiency as well. I have found that vitamin B1 deficiency increases the severity of the symptoms associated with spinal nerve compression.

Diabetics are known to commonly be vitamin B1 deficient. Research has shown that diabetics have 75% lower plasma vitamin B1 levels than nondiabetics. This likely contributes to the peripheral nerve problems and cognitive problems commonly associated with diabetes. People with a history of excessive alcohol usage are commonly vitamin B1 deficient as well. They also often experience cognitive decline and peripheral nerve dysfunction. Other groups at increased risk of vitamin B1 deficiency include the elderly, people on water pills, and the obese–both before and after bariatric surgery.

I can tell you from personal experience that since I have incorporated benfotiamine into my practice I have had significantly improved outcomes. Most patients experience some level of improvement in their symptoms within 30 days.