Constipation and Back Pain

Constipation and back pain often accompany one another. It contributes to a condition doctors and chiropractors classify as “simple back pain.” That is, the condition often causes back pain when no other source of back pain is obvious. “Simple” back pain does not mean the pain is mild. The stress on the back associated with symptoms can range from mild to severe. Typically, the pain is one area of the lower back, but the pain can spread to the thighs or buttocks. If constipation and back pain are causally related, the pain is usually eased by lying down flat, and is often made worse by a sneeze or a cough.

This condition is a factor in lower back pain in an astonishing 19 out of 20 cases. The awkward twisting movement required to help the bowels move can be as damaging to back as heavy lifting or bad posture.

What kind of treatment you should you pursue if you have both conditions?

Enemas are probably not a good idea. Having to lift your thighs and buttocks above the toilet, or having to lift a knee to your chest to take an enema on your side, both can cause a sudden attack of intense pain.

It’s also better not to take laxatives, especially some of the stronger herbal laxatives, such as cascara sagrada. Laxatives work by forcing some muscles to contract and others to relax. All the muscles affected by the laxative can also trigger back spasms.

Your best bets for relief of constipation and back pain are drinking more water, eating fruits and vegetables, and taking fiber. None of these methods will relieve symptoms immediately, but neither will they trigger back spasms.

It’s also important to not that although this condition can cause back pain, the treatment of back pain can also cause the condition. Opioid drugs, notably Vicodin, are notoriously constipating.

Almost any drug you take for back pain, even aspirin, can cause the condition in a few people who take it, but the most effective, newer non-narcotic drugs for chronic pain cause symptoms in less than 10%. Ask you doctor about alternative pain medication if you suffer both back pain and constipation.

Also read our article about Constipation Relief With Reflexology