Back and Stomach Pain

Back and stomach pain are symptoms that often go together. Up to 75% of patients with unresolved chronic back pain also have a history of stomach / intestinal problems. In many cases, the 2 pain syndromes are related to the same cause. Stomach and back pain is one of the most common of all combination pain syndromes.

Back Pain Causing Stomach Pain

An injury or degenerative condition in the back can cause local pain, as well as pain in the abdomen. A pinched sensory nerve can cause pain in the area served by that nerve. A pinched autonomic nerve can impede proper function of the system controlled by that nerve. If the compressed autonomic nerve is controlling the digestive process, or other organ function in the abdomen, pain and dysfunction can result.

Muscular back pain can also be responsible for muscular abdominal pain, and vice versa. The abdominal muscles work closely with the lower back muscles. Any injury to either set of muscles can affect the other.

Psychological Back and Stomach Pain

Many people with unresolved back and stomach pain might be suffering from a psychologically induced pain syndrome (PIPS). Lower back pain and stomach / intestinal distress are 2 of the most common PIPS. Personally, I had an 18 year history of lower back pain, as well as a sensitive stomach and digestive tract. I never really thought that the 2 conditions were related until after I had cured my back pain (using knowledge therapy ), and discovered that my stomach troubles were gone as well.

The same stresses and emotional issues that cause psychological back pain can also be responsible for chronic stomach and intestinal disturbance.

Ulcers are a perfect example of psychological effects on the stomach. For many years ulcers were the number one expression of psychological pain. Once medicine discovered the link between stress and ulcers, the incidence of stomach ulcers became far less frequent.

Warning on Back and Stomach Pain

Severe abdominal pain can be an indicator of a serious health problem. Kidney stones or infections can cause pain in the back and stomach regions. Problems with other internal organs can also cause this combination of symptoms. Gallstones, appenendicitis, diverticulitis, or liver failure, can produce back and stomach pain. Make sure to get a thorough check up if you are suffering from severe, and unexplained stomach pain.

Alternate Causes of Stomach and Back Pain

The stomach is part of the digestive system. This system is greatly influenced by emotional and physical stress. This is why we often lose our appetite when we are stressed or sick. The stomach pain we feel might be a result of physical pain in the back.

Severe back pain can be physically and emotionally distressing. The actual pain can cause our digestive tracts to suffer. Of course, the emotional aspect of back pain can have an identical effect on our stomach and intestines. Pain in the back might be primary, but it�s effects on other body systems can also be debilitating.

Recommendation on Back and Stomach Pain

These 2 conditions are like twins from hell. They seem to enjoy each other�s company, much to the dismay of many chronic pain sufferers. If you have a chronic back pain condition and also suffer from some sort of abdominal symptoms, do not be surprised. The physical and emotional effects of back pain can make our entire body system into a wreck !!!

Colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, acid reflux, and others, can all be the direct or indirect result of pain conditions in our backs. I know from experience that my very sensitive stomach was related to my back pain. I had a difficult time with many foods, and became a very finicky eater. Now that my back pain is gone, I can eat ANYTHING I want. I have literally traveled around the world, and eaten things I never would have thought possible during my years of suffering with chronic back and stomach pain. I am cured, and life is good.

I did it� You can too.

Back and Stomach Pain to Back Pain Home page 7/26/06 Revised 6/5/07