Constipation and back pain go hand in hand. Even though constipation is generally termed as irregular bowel movements, it invariably leads to back pain, particularly lower back pain. In fact, constipation is the starting point for most back pain problems.
The back, particularly the spinal chord, has been provided with discs and joints that are very flexible to help us twist, bend over, sit or walk. At the same time, strong ligaments line up from lower vertebrae to the topmost vertebrae to provide strength and to impart protection to the spinal chord. This helps us to be more mobile and flexible than animals but not as flexible as snakes, which would look ridiculous. Under the circumstances, slipped discs, disc herniation and disc degeneration, as well as injured stressed or torn ligaments, muscles and tissues are quite common. Any of these problems on their own or in combination inevitably results in back pain at one point in time or another. Constipation aggravates the situation, when the natural bowel movement is hindered or obstructed. Not only lower back pains, but middle or upper back pains and neck pains also could result from constipation.
Even children could encounter back pain constipation. Surprisingly, most people just ignore the constipation induced back pain problems and try to move along in their life. They do not realize that it is very easy to get rid of this nagging but harmless problem. Still, such an easy problem could become harmful, if neglected for too long.
However, back pains could also occur due to several other reasons. Strain in the back muscles or ligaments or tissues, as well as tearing and injury to them are one of the causes for back pain. Disc herniation, disc slipping and disc degeneration are the other prime reasons for severe and chronic back pains. Treatment for them has to be taken independently.
The irony is that the medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers like Codeine that are administered for treatment of back pain could bring about constipation even in people that do not have it. Those suffering already from constipation would be more hampered by the intake of such drugs and the back pain would persist or increase, while they wonder why. Hence, it would be clear that constipation has to be cured first before resorting to back pain remedies.
Intake of large quantities of liquids, regular exercising, avoiding fatty food, eating fresh fruit and leafy, green vegetables, and getting adequate rest in the night are the must-do items on the agenda of eliminating constipation. This would drastically reduce the risk of back pain, particularly constipation related lower back pain. As such, back pain and constipation have to be addressed in tandem.
It is time we understood that constipation back pain is going to be an integral part of our life, unless we take timely action. Still, we should not indulge in do-it-yourself treatments. Consulting a doctor and abiding by his advice and recommendations would make us say goodbye to both constipation and back pain. Let us act now and lead a healthy, happy life.
Did you know, constipation is the starting point for most back pain problems