Get to the bottom of your back pain & find out how to treat constipation
We know that back pain is a common ailment, whether it’s muscular or caused by the likes of poor posture, injury or certain medical conditions. But did you know that you can get back pain from constipation? If you’ve ever noticed a dull pain in your lower back that coincides with symptoms of constipation, it turns out they could be related…
Here, we break down the connection between back pain and constipation, and share our top tips for treating constipation so you can get things flowing smoothly again.
Understanding constipation
Constipation is a common condition that makes passing stools (poo) difficult, whether you’re experiencing infrequent bowel movements or are unable to empty your bowel completely. It can affect people of all ages but can usually be treated with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.
It can often be caused by a number of things, including not eating enough fibre (found in things like fruits, vegetables and wholegrains), not drinking enough water, being less active, spending long periods sitting down or ignoring your urge to go to the toilet, to name a few.
Not sure if it’s constipation? Everyone’s bowel habits are different but a change in your normal pattern may be a sign of constipation, especially if you:
- Haven’t had a poo at least three times during the last week
- Are pooing less frequently
- Experience large or small poo that’s dry, hard or lumpy
- Are straining or are in pain when going to the toilet
- Feel bloated, nauseous or have a stomach ache and loss of appetite
You can find out more about constipation on our Health Hub, but if you notice anything unusual in your toilet habits, speak to a pharmacist or your GP for advice.
Is there a connection between constipation & back pain?
It’s possible that constipation may cause a dull pain in your lower back. This is due to a build-up of poo in the intestines, which can put pressure on the abdomen and cause pain in the back as a result.
However, if your back pain is more severe and doesn’t subside after constipation symptoms ease, it could be due to another reason. If you do notice a persistent back pain that doesn’t go away, speak to your GP.
Symptoms to spot
If you do think your lower back pain is related to constipation, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Back pain that’s aggravated when you’re constipated
- Irregular bowel movements
- Bloating and abdominal pain that accompanies constipation
- Back pain that subsides after a bowel movement
If you are concerned about back pain or constipation, be sure to speak to your GP for advice.
How to prevent & treat constipation
If you’re a little backed up, there are a few diet and lifestyle changes you can try to help treat your symptoms. It may take a few days or weeks to notice a difference, but try to be consistent with the following tips:
- Eat a healthy diet – try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, particularly one that allows you to hit your 30g of fibre, with foods like oats, nuts and wholegrains, as well as fruits and vegetables like grapes, apricots, raspberries, strawberries and broccoli. However, try to add fibre into your diet slowly, as too much too soon can make constipation worse
- Try to look after your gut – learn how to nourish your gut in our gut reset article
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol – take a look at our top tips to help you drink more
- Tweak your toilet routine – try to stick to a regular time (for example, first thing in the morning), as well as a comfortable place that gives you plenty of time and privacy
- Don’t delay the urge to go to the toilet as it can make constipation symptoms worse
- Increase your activity – whether it’s a daily walk or run, this can help keep things moving so it’s easier to pass poo
Failing these changes, you can pop into your local Boots and ask one of our pharmacists for advice. They may recommend laxatives which can help you poo more regularly but they should only be used for a short period of time. There are also plenty of over-the-counter treatments to consider trying to help improve your symptoms.
Remember, if you think your back pain is being caused by constipation, it’s important to treat the symptoms of constipation rather than the back pain itself. If the back pain persists after the constipation has eased, speak to your GP.
When to see a GP
As we’ve mentioned, if you’re still experiencing symptoms of constipation after making diet and lifestyle changes, you can speak to a member of our pharmacy team or your GP for further advice and support.
But if you notice any of the following symptoms alongside your constipation, make an appointment with your GP:
- You’re constipated and it’s not getting better with treatment
- You’re regularly constipated and bloated for a long period of time
- You have blood in your poo or its black
- You’ve lost weight without trying
- You’re constipated and feel tired all the time
- You’re taking a medicine that may be causing constipation
- You notice sudden changes in your bowel habits
Frequently asked questions
How do you fix constipation-related back pain?
If your back pain is caused by constipation, you’ll need to treat the symptoms of constipation rather than the back pain. You can do this by increasing your fibre intake through your diet, drinking more water, getting regular exercise, and using stool softeners or laxatives, if necessary.
You can find out more about treating constipation in our ‘How to prevent & treat constipation’ section of the article.
What simple trick empties your bowels immediately?
There’s no quick fix or simple trick to empty your bowels, but some things you can try to make it easier to go to the toilet include:
- Eat high-fibre foods
- Drink plenty of water
- Light exercise like going on a walk to encourage bowel movements
- Consider taking a laxative or stool softener
- Using a footstool so you’re sitting in more of a squat position, as this can help you pass poo without straining too much
You can find more information on this in our ‘How to prevent & treat constipation’ section of the article.
How do I know if my back pain is bowel related?
If you experience back pain whilst you’re constipated, you’ll likely feel this as a dull ache in your lower back. This is because a build-up of poo can put pressure on the abdomen and back, causing pain.
However, if your back pain persists after your constipation has passed, or if you’re concerned it may be caused by injury or an underlying condition, make an appointment with your GP.
How to loosen a bowel blockage at home?
Bowel blockages, also known as constipation, can be a little uncomfortable but you can help ease symptoms with a few diet and lifestyle changes.
You may also like to consider things like laxatives and stool softeners to make passing stool a bit easier, and you can always speak to a Boots pharmacist for advice if you’re unsure on what’s best to try.
You can find more information on this in our ‘How to prevent & treat constipation’ section of the article.
