Nausea and back pain. For those who experience this double whammy, even simple tasks can feel impossible. The chronic ache in your back leaves you exhausted. Then comes the rolling waves of nausea, amplifying your misery.
At Kaly, we know how disheartening it is to battle these symptoms day after day. The pain and queasiness seem relentless, robbing you of the energy to engage in life. We understand the frustration all too well.
The good news? There are solutions. With the right holistic approach, you can minimize episodes of nausea and start taking control of your back pain. Regaining your freedom and comfort is possible.
This post shares expert strategies to soothe back pain and nausea for good. You’ll discover why these symptoms go hand in hand, how to treat the root causes, and lifestyle tips for lasting relief.
Ready to break free from the cycle of pain and queasiness? Let’s get started.
Why Back Pain Causes Nausea
Back pain and nausea often go hand-in-hand because the nerves in your back connect to those in your stomach and digestive system. When back pain flares up, it can irritate these nerves, causing nausea. Additionally, dealing with constant pain can increase stress hormones that upset your stomach.
The good news is that by getting your back pain under control, you can often reduce nausea as well.
Expert Tips to Soothe Back Pain and Nausea
Here at Kaly, our holistic approach looks at the root causes of your pain and associated symptoms. Here are some of our top tips for finding relief from back pain-induced nausea:
- Try gentle stretches and exercises that align the spine, like yoga cats and knees-to-chest. Proper spinal alignment decreases nerve irritation.
- Apply heat packs or cold compresses to painful areas for natural pain relief.
- Ask your doctor about muscle relaxers or over-the-counter nausea medications.
- Limit stress and practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.
- Avoid trigger foods like spicy, greasy, or acidic dishes that can aggravate nausea.
- Stay hydrated with small, frequent sips of water. Dehydration worsens nausea.
- Maintain good posture and sleep on a supportive mattress. Reduce spinal strain.
- Explore complementary therapies like acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic care.
As leading back pain experts, we want to reassure you that relief is possible. You don’t have to suffer through constant nausea on top of aggravating back pain. With an integrative approach focused on the mind-body connection, many find their nausea subsides as their back pain comes under control.
Back Pain and Nausea FAQs
Does back pain cause nausea?
Back pain itself does not directly cause nausea. However, the underlying condition causing back pain may also cause nausea. For example, back injuries, arthritis, infections, or intestinal issues can cause both back pain and nausea. The pain signals from the back as well as other affected areas like the intestines can overload the brain, resulting in nausea.
Can a hernia cause back pain and nausea?
Yes, a hernia can cause both back pain and nausea.
The most common abdominal hernia is an inguinal hernia, which causes part of the intestines to protrude through the abdominal wall into the groin area. This can irritate the intestines and surrounding nerves, leading to nausea and vomiting. The hernia can also press on the lower back, causing back pain.
Can constipation cause back pain and nausea?
Constipation often causes both back pain and nausea. Straining to pass hard, dry stools can irritate the intestines and put pressure on the lower back. This can trigger signals of discomfort to the brain, resulting in nausea.
Dehydration from constipation can also worsen back pain and cause nausea.
Can back pain be related to stomach issues?
Yes, gastrointestinal conditions like gastritis, ulcers, food poisoning or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause back pain. Nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping are also common symptoms.
Inflammation, ulcers or irritation of the stomach lining can stimulate pain signals that radiate throughout the abdomen and back. The abdominal cramping and muscle tension from stomach issues may also strain the back muscles.
Can back pain cause nausea and fatigue?
Back pain alone does not directly result in nausea and fatigue. However, the underlying condition causing back pain may also trigger nausea and tiredness. For example, back injuries, arthritis and spinal issues can make everyday activities more difficult and tiring.
Chronic back pain can interfere with sleep, resulting in constant exhaustion. The brain chemicals released when you experience pain also disrupt appetite and food intake, potentially leading to nausea, fatigue and weakness. Treating the source of the back pain can help minimize associated nausea and fatigue.
Can stress cause back pain and nausea?
Yes, stress often causes muscle tension that leads to back pain. Stress can also upset the gastrointestinal system, resulting in nausea, vomiting or stomach pain.
When you feel stressed, your brain triggers the “fight or flight” response, flooding the body with adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase heart rate, blood pressure and metabolism to prepare you to face a threat.
This reaction also tenses the muscles as part of the preparation for physical action. Tight back muscles from stress can result in back pain and tension headaches. The rush of stress hormones can also overstimulate the digestive system, leading to nausea or diarrhea.
Can back pain cause nausea and diarrhea?
Back pain combined with nausea and diarrhea often indicates an underlying infection or intestinal issue that requires prompt medical attention.
Gastroenteritis, an intestinal infection usually caused by viruses, can result in abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The intestinal inflammation and spasms may also cause referred pain to the lower back.
More serious infections require immediate treatment. Appendicitis causes abdominal pain that begins near the navel and shifts to the lower right abdomen. Fever, nausea, vomiting and back pain are also common symptoms.
Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can flare up, causing abdominal cramping, lower back pain, nausea and frequent, watery diarrhea.
Can gas cause back pain and nausea?
Trapped intestinal gas can cause temporary back pain and nausea. Gas pain is often felt in the abdomen, but it can also radiate to the chest, upper back between the shoulder blades, and lower back.
Can GERD cause nausea and back pain?
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, results when stomach acid frequently flows back up into the esophagus. This causes painful irritation and inflammation known as heartburn. Though GERD primarily affects the stomach and chest, it can also cause lower back pain and nausea in some people.
The esophagus and intestines share common nerves with the lower back. Irritation of these gastrointestinal nerves from refluxed stomach acid can radiate signals of pain to the lower back.
Nausea can also develop from inflammation and indigestion.
Can back pain cause headaches and nausea?
Chronic back problems can sometimes trigger headaches and nausea, though the back pain itself is not the direct cause.
Spinal issues like herniated discs, arthritis and pinched nerves in the neck and upper back can refer pain into the head, resulting in tension headaches. The musculoskeletal problems that contribute to back pain may also cause alignment issues in the neck and shoulders. This can lead to painful muscle tension and headaches.
Is back pain a symptom of COVID-19?
Back pain can accompany COVID-19, though it is not as common as fever, cough and shortness of breath.
Around 20-30% of COVID-19 patients experience body aches and pains. Generalized lower back pain is possible as the immune system reacts to the virus with inflammation and hyperstimulation. The stress from coughing with COVID may also strain the back muscles.
Muscle pain and backache typically appear in the early stages of COVID-19. Seek medical evaluation if back pain coincides with fever, respiratory symptoms or sudden loss of taste or smell as this cluster could indicate coronavirus infection.
Is back pain a symptom of dengue fever?
The dengue virus triggers an abnormal immune response that causes widespread inflammation. This can damage muscle fibers and nerve cells, leading to severe cramping, spasms and pain in the back as well as the legs and shoulders.
We’re Here to Help You Feel Better
If you’re looking for more strategies to get nausea from back pain under control, Kaly is here as your partner.
You deserve to live life to the fullest, free of chronic back pain and nausea. We can help you reclaim your mobility, energy, and comfort. Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re ready to guide you on your journey towards relief.