Why Can Constipation Cause Back Pain
Constipation can cause your intestines to swell due to built-up stool that you are unable to pass. This is why your stomach may look bigger, or you feel more bloated when you are constipated. Swollen intestines can cause pain or discomfort in your back. This pain usually feels like a dull ache, which many people may describe as general back pain.
Constipation And Low Back Pain
If you have lower back pain, youre not alone. The Cleveland Clinic reports that around four out of five Americans experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. One reason the problem is so common is that the list of potential causes is long. Your back contains many structures that can cause or contribute to pain, including bones, muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, disks and ligaments. These can become damaged from trauma, aging, obesity, overexertion, and underlying diseases, among other factors.
Your lower backs proximity to other organs and body parts, like the colon, makes it a prime target for referred pain, including from constipation.
Heres a closer look at constipation, the causes of constipation with lower back pain, and treatment options for relief.
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Colon Or Rectal Cancer
Sometimes a tumor may block your bowels, leading to constipation and back pain. Other symptoms may include cramping, vomiting, bloating and the inability to pass gas.
A change in your bowel habits can be a sign of colon or rectal cancer, especially if it lasts for more than a few days and occurs with other symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, blood in your stool and unexplained weight loss.
The best way to stay ahead of colon cancer is to make sure you undergo regular screening with colonoscopy.
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Lower Back Pain And Constipation Pain
When you are constipated, you may feel pain in your abdomen or your lower back. Some possible causes of aching in the lumbar area with constipation include dehydration, a low-fiber diet, and bowel obstruction. You may also be having these symptoms due to medication side effects or a lack of exercise. Less commonly, constipation with back pain can be a sign of rectal cancer or colon cancer.
It is possible that you have lumbar pain from a muscle strain, a ligament sprain, or a herniated disc. If you are unsure whether your constipation and back discomfort are related, consult with your primary care physician or a trusted specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon or a gastroenterologist. They will give you a physical exam, check your medical history, and review your medication list to help determine what is causing your symptoms.
Lower Back Pain When Constipated Or Pooping: What You Need To Know
Constipation is a common diagnosis, affecting up to 27% of people in the United States.¹ Certain conditions can cause constipation, and most can be resolved through lifestyle changes and other ways to improve your digestive health.
While constipation is a frequent issue for many, experiencing lower back pain when youre pooping or while constipated can be worrying. Its important to know its causes and when to see a doctor for it.
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For Serious Constipation There Are Options
If your constipation is severe and does not improve withchanges to your diet and lifestyle, there may be other options that you candiscuss with your doctor. Surgery is the very last option.
A wide range of laxatives are available, plus there arepro-motility drugs that a doctor can prescribe. Sometimes at-home remedies canbring relief, too, like dietary vegetable or mineral oil to lubricate thebowels.
Heres the bottom line: Try simple fixes first, but if theyfail, dont suffer needlessly. If you think your bowel movements are not whatyou would consider normal, discuss it first with your primary care physician, whocan talk with you about treatments or refer you to a specialist who can helpget your bowels moving again.
What Could Be Causing Lower Back Pain When You Have Constipation
Dull lower back pain is a symptom of constipation as the stool in your rectum or colon can cause pressure and discomfort.
It can also be indicative of the following conditions if the pain is more severe:
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Spinal cord injury or tumor
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A compressed nerve in the back
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Parkinsons disease
Other possibilities include liver problems , kidney infection or stones, fibromyalgia, and peritonitis. If the pain is severe or theres blood in your stool, consult your doctor.
Fecal impaction is another potential cause of lower back pain while constipated. It is often accompanied by sudden diarrhea after a long period of constipation, bloating, pain, dehydration, and little to no urine.
Fecal impaction happens more commonly in older people, and it can quickly cause life-threatening issues. If you have dizziness, confusion, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or youre struggling to breathe alongside any of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately.
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Sciatica: A Pain In The Butt
A common reason for lower back and leg pain is that one is overweight. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, there can be inflammation, pain, and numbness. It is a good idea to walk to alleviate sciatica pain, but you may need to change your walking posture to avoid aggravate your symptoms. Although most patients recover in 1-2 weeks, some may experience chronic pain.
Things You Can Do To Relieve Constipation Related To Back Pain
One of the least discussed yet surprisingly common issues related to back pain is constipation, which may either aggravate existing back pain or contribute to newly experienced discomfort. The resulting back pain is usually due to the added strain placed on muscles that support your lower spine from difficult bowel movements. Lower back muscle spasms may also interfere with the autonomic nerves that help control intestinal actions. Beverly Hills spine surgeons have 7 tips for preventing back pain-related constipation.
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How To Cure Sciatica Permanently
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to cure sciatica permanently may vary depending on the individual case. However, some possible treatments for sciatica that may provide permanent relief include physical therapy, spinal manipulation, and surgery. In addition, making lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, maintaining good posture, and avoiding activities that put unnecessary strain on the back can also help to prevent sciatica from recurring.
The sciatic nerves root or anywhere along its path is where pain and discomfort occurs with sciatica. In many cases, conservative treatment is the only option when dealing with Sciatica pain and symptoms, which are influenced by the underlying cause. It is common for sciatica to go away on its own in less than a week without any treatment. Because the sciatic nerve is a mixed nerve, it can cause a wide range of symptoms. The most common cause of this condition is disc degeneration in the spines intervertebral discs. It is possible to restore disc function in some cases, but it is difficult to do so completely. degeneration is the first spinal disease to manifest itself in the vertebrae.
How Can Constipation And Back Pain Be Treated
The type of treatment you receive for constipation and back pain will depend on the root cause of your problem.
For example, if your constipation is being caused by dehydration, your doctor may instruct you to start drinking more water throughout the day. If your constipation and back pain is being caused by sciatica, your doctor will treat you for sciatica. Common treatments for sciatica include medications, physical therapy, and surgery.
Be completely open and honest with your doctor during your appointment to address constipation and back pain. This will help your doctor determine the true causes of your problems, and the best treatments that can effectively relieve both your constipation and back pain.
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Pain That Doesnt Disappear After Bowel Movement
Your lower back pain should disappear after a bowel movement, since that alleviates any pressure you may be experiencing in your pelvic area. However, if the pain persists or intensifies after your bowel movement, it could be a sign that a nerve was pinched or something was dislodged when your colon loosened up.
Can A Physical Therapist Help With Back Pain
There are various drugs and invasive treatments available to treat back pain. But those pills are only masking the pain, they do not solve the problem. Back pain is likely to come back with a vengeance as soon as you stop taking painkillers.
And invasive treatments often have ramifications.
We always recommend physical therapy first for middle back pain, and all other types of chronic pain.
Why so?
Easy. We can usually find and treat the root cause quickly, and prevent the need for pain pills, injections, and surgery.
Our experienced physical therapists will be able to guide you through various exercises and also suggest dietary changes. They will also be able to help you adjust to a more active lifestyle.
The best part? We dont generalize your condition. What works for some people may not work for everyone. Thats why we take the time to get to know you, and understand your exact situation.
After all, we are all unique, and therefore treatment needs to be bespoke to each person.
Our physical therapists provide pre-operative, post-operative, and non-operative therapy for injuries that are a result of work, trauma, poor life balance, a poor diet, or overuse of muscles.
Our focus is to provide relief through an extensive physical therapy evaluation, manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercise, patient education and an individual focus on patient care to successfully return our patients to full function and enhance their quality of life.
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Symptoms Of Faecal Impaction
The symptoms of impaction are similar to the symptoms of constipation. But other more serious symptoms can occur. These include:
- back pain due to the mass of poo pressing on the nerves in your lower back
- a swollen tummy
- high or low blood pressure
- a fast heart rate
- explosive diarrhoea or diarrhoea that you have no control over
- feeling and being sick
Can Poor Food Choices Contribute
It may be a cliché, but when youre stressed you may be more likely to reach for the double-fudge ice cream instead of a kale salad. Stress and bad food choices sometimes go together. If youre experiencing stress-related constipation, this can make matters worse.
Try passing up the foods that you know cause problems. It may help to keep a food diary so you know which ones affect you most. Most often the culprits include:
- very spicy foods
Fiber-filled ingredients may be a good choice for some, but for others they may make constipation worse. Thats because they are harder to digest. Try experimenting with healthy foods to see which ones work best for you.
If you have IBS, you may also benefit from eliminating carbonated sodas, caffeine, and alcohol from your diet permanently, or until your symptoms subside.
If stress is causing your chronic constipation, you may benefit most from addressing both issues:
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At Intecore Physical Therapy We Focus On The Individual Patient Not Just The Pain
Intecore Physical Therapy was formed on two basic principles: Integrity of Care and Core Rehabilitation Values. Thus, Intecore! And we stand by our core values. You will be welcomed as part of the Intecore physical therapy family.
Get in touch with us through our contact page, or you can enquire about cost and availability.
We look forward to helping you move forward!
What Causes Constipation & Back Pain
Theres a host of circumstances that cause constipation, and the associated back pain that accompanies it. Some of these factors combine together to create the condition:
- Bowel obstruction
- Colon or rectal cancer
Once constipation has developed, the fecal impaction can press on the spinal cord in the same way an infection or a tumor would.
We dont say that to scare you, however. Chances are, you dont have a tumor lurking in the background. Its much less frightening than that. As we will now explain.
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Your Guide To Prenatal Appointments & What To Expect
Prenatal care is extremely important for you and your baby. If youre a first time mom, you might feel nervous, not knowing what to expect. Were here to empower you with the information you need to feel prepared to know what to expect and ask the right questions.
Generally speaking, at each visit, your doctor will measure your baby’s growth, check their heart rate, and ensure that you are getting enough nutrients and weight gain to support your growing baby. Each visit may come with mixed emotions, excitement for a new addition to your family, or anxiety about what may happen as you prepare for your due date and labor and delivery. Preparing for each appointment and knowing what to expect may help ease your anxiety and diminish any surprises.
How Long Does Sciatica Take To Heal
A sciatic nerve irritated or compressed in the lower back can lead to a problem with your lower back. Typically, it improves in 4 to 6 weeks, but it can last longer.
Sciatica Pain Relief
If sciatica is mild, rest, ice, and compression may be beneficial. If sciatica becomes more severe, it may require physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of treatments.
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Where You Take Them Matters
Request an appointment with the only nationally ranked orthopedic program for kids and teens in Georgia, and well help you understand your childs diagnosis and create a comprehensive treatment plan.
There are multiple factors a pediatrician should consider when determining if your child needs to be referred to a pediatric spine specialist. These may include:
- Back pain resulting in stiffness of the spine and associated with a fever, general discomfort, uneasiness or pain, or a poor appetite
- Chronic pain that lasts longer than six weeks
- Back pain associated with leg pain
- Back pain that interferes with your childs sleep
- Back pain that prevents your child from participating in activities
How Can You Treat Lower Back Pain When Constipated
Its best to treat the root cause of constipation rather than merely apply a band-aid in the form of pain medication or laxatives. However, heating pads and over-the-counter painkillers are helpful when you use them together with gradual lifestyle changes.
To treat constipation, make sure you drink enough water, gradually include more food with plenty of fiber, and stay active. If youre taking any medication, this may be causing your constipation, so its worth discussing this side effect with your doctor.
You can use laxatives or stool softeners as a temporary measure, but you shouldnt use them for longer than two weeks as they can cause other digestive issues.
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Sciatica And Constipation Nhs
There are a number of possible causes of constipation, including low fiber intake, dehydration, and certain medications. Sciatica can also be a contributing factor, as it can lead to pain and muscle spasms in the lower back and legs. In some cases, constipation may be a symptom of another underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome . If you are experiencing constipation, increase your fiber intake and make sure you are drinking enough fluids. If these measures do not improve your symptoms, talk to your doctor.
The sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed when it runs from your lower back to your feet. In 4 to 6 weeks, it usually improves but can still be difficult to maintain. When you move, sneeze, or cough, your sciatica symptoms may become more severe. Despite the fact that physiotherapy is free of charge on the NHS in the majority of countries, there can be long waiting times. If you have severe pain and your GP has failed to alleviate it, you may require an urgent appointment with a hospital specialist. You can reduce the risk of sciatica by remaining active and not smoking.
Does Constipation Cause Lower Back Pain
The buildup of stool in your intestines may cause lower back pain or a dull aching sensation in this part of your back. If your constipation is causing your lower back pain, your pain will gradually go away after you start having regular bowel movements.
Fecal impaction is another common cause of lower back pain. Fecal impaction is when a piece of dry stool gets stuck in your colon or rectum. This can lead to extra pressure in these areas that cause lower back pain.
Common symptoms of fecal impaction include abdominal cramping, bloating, and bleeding from the rectum. Make an appointment with your doctor soon if you have lower back pain and constipation and have fecal impaction symptoms.
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Why Being Constipated Can Cause Back Pain
Youre probably constipated if:
- your poo is hard, dry, large or lumpy
- youve not had a poo at least 3 times over the last 7 days
- you have to strain or it hurts when you poo
And when this happens, you usually have a lot of poo in your bowels, which – as mentioned above – can cause back pain. If youve been constipated for a while, you can develop faecal impaction which can also cause low back pain.
Back pain caused by constipation usually feels like a dull ache and it should go away once you starting pooing normally again.
But if the pain is from faecal impaction, you should see a doctor immediately as this can cause serious complications.
You may have faecal impaction if you have the following symptoms:
- tummy pain, bloating or discomfort
- leaking soft poo
- feeling the need to push
- headache and loss of appetite
- losing weight without meaning to
