Lower back pain that wraps around to abdomen

You may benefit from calling your doctor if you have stomach and back pain at the same time.

Image Credit: LumiNola/E+/GettyImages

If your stomach is churning or cramping and your lower back is aching, it's important to know that the causes for lower back and lower stomach pain can range widely. Depending on your pain level, you may benefit from ringing your doctor's office to figure out what's causing it and get relief.

Many conditions can be behind lower back and lower stomach pain. In fact, it's possible for pain to stem from a problem within the reproductive, musculoskeletal, urinary or digestive system, according to the Mayo Clinic.

For instance, menstrual cramps are a common cause of abdominal pain as well as lower back pain, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Endometriosis, a condition that occurs when uterine-like tissue grows in areas outside the uterus, is another condition that can cause stomach and back pain at the same time in women, according to the Office on Women's Health.

"There are many known chronic overlapping pain conditions with endometriosis, notably abdominal pain and low back pain," Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, a doctor of physical therapy at Femina Physical Therapy in Southern California, says. "Endometriosis is known for creating cyclic and noncyclic pain in the abdomen, low back and jaw."

Gastrointestinal conditions could be at the root of lower abdominal and potentially lower back pain as well.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a gastrointestinal disorder, could lead to pain in the lower stomach and possibly the lower back, according to Kaliq Chang, MD, a board-certified interventional pain management specialist at Atlantic Spine Center in New Jersey and New York. In addition to abdominal pain, common symptoms of IBS include gas, bloating, cramps and diarrhea, the Mayo Clinic says.

The Mayo Clinic also says that, in extreme cases, diverticulitis can cause lower abdominal pain, usually on the left side. This condition occurs when small pouches, which have formed along the digestive tract lining, become inflamed and/or infected. More common symptoms of diverticulitis include persistent pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, tenderness in the abdominal area and constipation.

Appendicitis is another extreme cause of abdominal pain and potentially lower back pain, Dr. Chang says. When a blockage occurs inside the appendix, causing appendicitis, symptoms can include abdominal swelling, constipation, diarrhea and low fever, among other symptoms, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Getting Stomach and Back Pain Relief

If your lower abdominal pain and lower back pain are mild, you may benefit from taking an over-the-counter pain reliever and monitoring how you feel for a couple of days, Dr. Chang says. "However, if it's a severe pain or if there's fever, vomiting, dizziness or any other moderate-to-severe symptom, either call the doctor or go to urgent care or the emergency room," he says.

In cases when you're experiencing both lower abdominal and lower back pain, determining any abdominal causes would take priority, Dr. Chang says. "From the perspective of a spine specialist, if there's lower abdominal pain involved, they're better served trying to get the abdomen checked out first. And if there's still an issue, they could see a back specialist," he says.

If menstrual cramps are contributing to your pain, the Mayo Clinic notes that cramps can often be eased with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, or a heating pad, among other remedies. However, if you find that menstrual cramps interfere with your life or worsen over time, or if you begin having severe menstrual cramps after turning 25, the Mayo Clinic recommends seeing your doctor.

If the cause of the pain is pelvic or gynecologic, imaging may be needed to explore potential causes further, Dr. Chang says. "Those things are usually ruled out by ultrasound or CT scan by either a gynecologic or general surgery specialist," he says.

Discomfort and other symptoms of IBS like gas pain in your back can be relieved by controlling stress, making dietary and lifestyle changes, and potentially prescription medications, the Mayo Clinic says.

More extreme gastrointestinal causes of pain, like appendicitis and diverticulitis, need urgent medical attention, Dr. Chang says. "An acute inflammatory process, whether it be appendicitis or diverticulitis may require a surgical intervention," he says.

The nervous system is one of the most complex parts of the human body. It is an organ system that contains a network of specialised cells called neurones, which connect the brain to various parts of the body.

The nervous system is responsible for several critical tasks including the coordination of movement, transmission of sensory information, reflexes, and the regulation the body’s internal environment.

The wide range of tasks performed by the nervous system means that any medical conditions affecting the nerves can cause unexpected or unusual symptoms — like abdominal pain.

In this post, our London chiropractor explains what a pinched nerve is, how it can cause abdominal pain, and how visiting a London chiropractor for chiropractic care may help.

What Is A Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when excessive pressure is placed on one of the body’s nerves by surrounding tissues. Any inflamed, diseased, or misaligned tissue can compress the nerves, including muscles, tendons, cartilage, bones, and intervertebral discs. Tumours and other growths can also cause a pinched nerve.

When a nerve is pinched, it can disrupt its function leading to numbness, pain, tingling, or muscle weakness. The precise nature of these symptoms will depend on the nerves that are affected.

If you had a herniated disc that was compressing the sciatic nerve in the lower back, you might have symptoms that affect the legs or feet. If a swollen muscle is compressing a nerve in your forearm, you may experience symptoms in your hands.

Why Pinched Nerves Are Often Caused By Spinal Issues

The human spine is made up of 33 vertebrae bones, which are stacked on top of one another. They are separated by tough rubbery discs, called intervertebral discs. These discs provide cushioning and structure.

The vertebra also protects the spinal cord, which is a collection of nerves running from the brain stem to the cauda equina, in the lower back. The nerves from the spinal cord exit the spinal column through holes in the vertebra.

Unfortunately, the spine can be injured quite easily. This can sometimes result in the compression of the nerves leaving the spinal column, causing pain. This type of nerve pain is called radiculopathy, or spinal nerve root pain.

Many of the patients who visit our London chiropractic clinic, MotionBack, have nerve pain caused by spinal issues like herniated discs, spinal compression, or poor posture. Fortunately, these problems usually respond well to chiropractic treatments.

What Signs Suggest That A Pinched Nerve Is Causing Abdominal Pain?

There are several nerves attached to the abdominal wall, muscles, and organs which provide motor and sensory function. If one of these nerves become pinched, you may experience:

• Persistent radiating pain in the abdominal region
• Pain that feels like it moves from the front to back of the abdomen
• The pain is localised, sharp, or burning
• Pain levels can change when you twist, bend, or sit up

It’s always a good idea to talk to a health care professional if you experience these types of symptoms, as there are multiple potential causes

How To Treat Abdominal Pain Caused By A Pinched Nerve

There are several options available for treating abdominal pain caused by a pinched nerve. Patients may need to try different combinations of these treatment options until they find an approach that works best for them, with a minimal amount of side effects.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

NSAID’s are useful for reducing inflammation that may be causing nerve compression. Try using products containing ingredients like ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib, or indomethacin. However, before using any of these medications, speak with your doctor to determine if they are safe for you.

Chiropractic Care

A chiropractor can perform adjustments to your spine to correct misalignments that may be compressing your nerves. They can also perform soft tissue therapy to reduce pain and inflammation.

Lifestyle Changes

There are several lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your symptoms or address the issue causing your pinched nerve. Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional to learn more about the lifestyle changes which can reduce the symptoms associated with a pinched nerve.

Lifestyle changes that may help include:

• Increasing your exercise levels
• Losing weight
• Improving your posture
• Spending less time sitting
• Improving your diet
• Taking up yoga
• Improving workplace ergonomics

Visiting our London Chiropractors at MotionBack

Chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and overall management of conditions that are due to problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves, especially related to the spine.

Chiropractic Treatment involves a wide variety of manipulative techniques designed to improve the function of the joints, relieving pain and muscle spasm. Other methods of treatment such as mobilisation, soft tissue therapies, stretches, dry needling and the use of rehabilitation programmes may also be used.

Chiropractic focuses on causes, not just symptoms. It is therefore suitable for both acute (recent) and chronic (long term) conditions.

Our Chiropractors are trained to take and interpret x-rays and as primary health care professionals are qualified to assess your general health.

To book and appointment with one of our chiropractors, please call us on 0207 112 5408 or you can book online on our website here.