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Back and Stomach Pain

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Back and stomach pain are symptoms that often go together hand in hand. Up to 75% of patients with unresolved chronic back pain also have a history of gastrointestinal problems. In many cases, the 2 pain syndromes are related to the same cause, be it purely physical or psychoemotional.

Stomach and back pain is statistically one of the most common of all combination pain syndromes involving multiple areas of the body without direct inherent muscular interactions.

Back Pain Causing Stomach Pain

A back injury or degenerative condition in the spine can cause local pain, as well as discomfort in the abdomen. A pinched nerve can cause pain in the area served by that neurological structure. 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 gastrointestinal distress are 2 of the most common PIPS. Personally, I have a long 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 I was enlightened to the knowledge therapy approach by my physician, Dr. John Sarno, and discovered that my stomach troubles were likely related to the same root cause as my back issues.

The same stresses and emotional sensitivities that can cause psychological back pain may also be responsible for chronic stomach and intestinal disturbances. It is a well known fact that stress, worry and anxiety can have profoundly negative effects on digestion and overall comfort in the gastrointestinal processes.

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. While modern Cartesian purists still cite the incidence of h. pylori bacteria being causative, the mindbody approach answers with the idea that the bacteria is allowed and even encouraged to thrive purposefully, by the psychosomatic process. It is an ongoing battle of theories when it comes to many symptomatic expressions.

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 its effects on other bodily systems can also be debilitating.

Recommendation on Back and Stomach Pain

These 2 conditions are like twin tortures, particularly when they flare up at the same time They seem to enjoy each others 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 dorsalgia can make our entire bodily system into a wreck.

Colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, 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, even though my back ache has returned, I can still 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 the ongoing misery of back and stomach pain.

I am cured of at least one terrible expression which plagued me for decades and life is so much better because of it.

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Back and Stomach Pain to Back Pain 7/26/06 Revised 1/19/12

THIS ARTICLE BY:
Sensei Adam Rostocki

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