Can Constipation Cause Back Pain? If you suffer from frequent back pain and notice it often flares up when you’re constipated, the two issues may be more connected than you think. It’s not just a coincidence—constipation can lead to pressure and discomfort that radiates to your lower back. Understanding how and why constipation causes back pain can help you find relief and prevent future episodes.
Why You Are Constipated
When you experience difficulty in having bowel movements or experience infrequent bowel movements, this is considered constipation. So instead of the normal bowel movements of one to two times daily, you may only have three bowel movements, or less, per week when you’re constipated.
Constipation and Back Pain: What’s the Connection?
Constipation and back pain are more closely linked than many people realize. When you’re constipated and unable to pass stool regularly, fecal matter can build up in the intestines, causing them to swell. This swelling puts pressure on surrounding organs and nerves, leading to discomfort or aching in both the abdomen and lower back.
Straining during bowel movements can also contribute to back pain. Excessive pushing increases pressure on your spine and can aggravate existing issues like a herniated or slipped disc, which occurs when the soft tissue between the vertebrae moves out of place. For individuals with preexisting spinal conditions, constipation can significantly intensify back pain symptoms.
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Another condition to consider is fecal impaction—a hardened mass of stool stuck in the colon or rectum. This blockage can cause persistent lower back pain, and the discomfort typically worsens the longer the impaction remains untreated.
In some cases, the relationship between constipation and back pain may be reversed. Certain medical conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, pinched nerves, infections, or tumors pressing against the spine, can cause back pain that indirectly leads to constipation due to reduced mobility or nerve dysfunction.
Other conditions to consider include:
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Ways to Treat Constipation
In order to subside the back pain that comes with constipation, here are some steps you can take to lessen your chances of constipation:
- Alternative methods such as acupuncture
- Apply a hot or cold compress
- Become more physically active
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Practice a low-fiber diet
- Stay hydrated and drink more water
- Try over-the-counter laxatives, stool softeners, or probiotics
- Put yourself on a regular bowel movement schedule by speaking to a doctor about a bowel retraining program.
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If these steps do not help, seek out medical attention as it could be more serious circumstances affecting your constipation.
Besides bowel obstruction, there is the possibility of colon or rectal cancer.
There are also medications available to help with constipation and pain.
In the meantime, and most importantly, go to the restroom. Do not ignore the urge or need to use the restroom, which many people do for various reasons.
“Holding it” can cause further backup in your system and is not good for your body, so do not slack on listening to your body when nature calls.
