Can constipation really cause back pain? The answer’s a little more complicated than you may think. In some cases, yes, constipation can cause back pain. If your constipation is significant, it may put pressure on the muscles and nerves in the lower spine, which can create lower back pain.
However, if you’re experiencing both constipation and lower back pain, it’s more likely that they’re two unrelated symptoms. Chronic lower back pain can have many causes, and constipation is only one of them.
Conditions that may cause back pain and constipation
While your constipation may not be causing your back pain, there are some conditions that do possess both of these symptoms. Here are a few issues that may affect both your bowels and back:
- Irritable bowel syndrome — Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) directly affects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause constipation and diarrhea. While not a common symptom of IBS, lower back pain can occur for some people.
- Medication side effects — Some people who take medication to control symptoms of back pain may experience constipation as a side effect. This is common for medications such as pain relievers and muscle relaxants.
- Fecal impaction — If stool gets lodged in your rectum and you are unable to pass it, it’s known as impaction. The mass of stool can harden and begin to press on nerves in the lower back, causing pain there. This occurs more often with long-term or chronic constipation.
- Neurologic diseases — Certain neurological conditions can affect nerves in multiple places in the body, including the gut and the spinal cord. This may result in symptoms of both back pain and constipation. These kinds of conditions include Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
- Tumors — In some cases, a tumor near the spinal cord can press on spinal nerves. This may cause pain in the lower back as well as issues with digestion, which can result in constipation. Tumors in the lower abdomen may also result in similar symptoms.
Whether your constipation and back pain are related or not, you deserve to find relief for your symptoms. At REPAIR SI, our team is here to help you address and alleviate your symptoms. If you need help addressing your lower back pain, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.