Can Constipation Cause Low Back Pain?
- Mar 30
- 9 min read
Constipation is a bit of an awkward topic. No one really wants to talk about it and yet it is something that affects all ages and populations.
Around 16% of adults struggle with constipation and that number rises dramatically to 30% after the age of 60.
Okay, cue the jokes about prune juice and things like that, but pooping is a big problem for some people and, along with the anxiety around the causes of it, it can have some serious consequences for your health. In this blog we are going to take a look at how constipation and low back pain are connected and what you can do about it.
Constipation And Back Pain
One of the most common questions around low back pain is if constipation is playing a role? When it comes to pain, and especially chronic low back pain, it can be extremely difficult to uncover the underlying cause.
Why isn’t my back pain going away? What can be causing it? Does my low back pain mean I have cancer? We go straight to the super scary symptoms and the ghastly Google diagnoses.
Unfortunately there aren’t any specific numbers as to how often constipation is the culprit in causing low back pain, but we do know that there is a significant overlap in symptoms and causes.
Let's explore five key concerns around constipation:
When to worry about constipation
How do I know if it is constipation or low back pain?
How can constipation cause low back pain?
How can I treat constipation and back pain?
Common Causes Of Constipation (Lifestyle)
There are a number of factors that can cause you to be constipated including things like how often you exercise, what food you eat, and how stressed you are. Some of the key causes of constipation include:
Low levels of physical activity
Hormonal changes/ pregnancy
Lack of fiber in your diet
Spinal injuries
Ignoring the need to have a bowel movement
Travel/ change in routine
Aging
“Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, affecting an estimated 16 percent of adults. Lifestyle factors — including low physical activity, inadequate fiber intake, and insufficient hydration — are among the most modifiable and impactful causes.”
— National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health.
When To Worry About Constipation
There are also certain underlying health conditions that can contribute to lower back pain and constipation. If you are experiencing chronic constipation along with abdominal pain it might be a good idea to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to rule out any of the following medical conditions:
How Do I Know If It Is Constipation Or Low Back Pain?
Your small intestines are the place where the nutrients from digested food get absorbed. They are only 1 inch in diameter but they are about 10 feet long! Because of this they are squashed into a small part of our body and sometimes we can feel pain symptoms in both the front and back of our bodies.
This is why you may experience back pain when you are constipated. Typically, the type of pain that occurs with constipation is a dull, achy pain which can be an indication that things might be getting clogged up in your colon.
Signs That Constipation May Be Contributing to Your Back Pain
Your back pain tends to be dull and achy (not sharp or shooting) and worsens before or after bowel movements
You have not had a bowel movement in 3 or more days and your lower abdomen feels bloated or heavy
Your back pain improves noticeably after a bowel movement or passing gas
You feel generalized abdominal discomfort alongside your back pain
Your pain moves from your lower abdomen to your lower back, or vice versa
You have recently changed your diet, travel schedule, or started a new medication (like opioids or iron supplements)
You feel the urge to have a bowel movement but cannot, accompanied by cramping and back aching
How Can Constipation Cause Low Back Pain
When it comes to back pain and constipation, there are a few conditions that have low back pain as a primary symptom:
“The colon and the lower back share a significant anatomical proximity. When stool accumulates in the colon and pressure builds, it can refer pain to the surrounding musculoskeletal structures — including the lumbar spine. This is a well-recognized, if underappreciated, cause of low back pain.”
— Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.
This is a serious condition that happens when your stool can’t pass through your colon or rectum, placing intense pressure on the organs surrounding this area. Symptoms can slowly start to appear slowly, or they may come on more suddenly.
Generally symptoms that go along with this condition include nausea, vomiting, bloating, incontinence, and headaches. These symptoms will often get increasingly worse until the blockage is treated and cleared.
While the treatments for fecal impactions typically include things like enemas, laxatives and anal suppositories, it is not advisable to try and treat this yourself. You should consult with your healthcare provider, especially if your pain has started to move to other areas of your body, such as your lower limbs.
2. Lower Back Pain And Cancer
There are certain types of cancer, such as colon and rectal cancer, that can cause low back pain . It is important to know that when it comes to causes of back pain, cancer is not a very common culprit. Typically colon and rectal cancer come along with other symptoms like bloody stools and unexplained weight loss.
Tumors can also be present in the body and these can press on the nerves located in the lower back. Swollen lymph nodes that feel like tumor lumps can also sometimes be felt. These are the signs of more advanced cancer.
3. Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries, such as pelvic injuries or slipped discs, can pinch the nerves around your spinal cord, causing significant low back pain. If these injuries go unnoticed the back pain can become more intermittent and feel more like bouts of constipation.
Regular health checks can help to catch these injuries and conditions in the early stages, leading to better recovery and fewer complications.
How Can I Treat Constipation?
If you find that you are experiencing frequent episodes of constipation and concurrent back pain then it might be time to try some dietary or lifestyle changes.
Laxatives and suppositories can help provide short-term relief, but excessive use can actually make the situation worse and lead to more constipation.
Over the counter pain medications, along with heating pads, can be an effective way to soothe constipation-related back pain.
Evidence-Based Tips for Constipation Relief
Probiotics (found in yogurt, kefir, kimchi) support a healthy gut microbiome and can improve bowel regularity
Magnesium-rich foods (spinach, almonds, pumpkin seeds) act as a natural stool softener for some people
Try the "squatty potty" position (feet elevated on a stool) which aligns the anorectal angle for easier elimination
Limit caffeine and alcohol, both of which dehydrate the body and can harden stools
Increase soluble fiber gradually — sudden large increases can cause gas and bloating before your gut adjusts
Consider a food diary to identify dietary triggers (dairy, gluten, high-fat foods) that slow your digestion
Lifestyle Changes To Help Relieve Constipation
1. Add fiber
Foods and vegetables that are high in fiber include green peas, broccoli, whole grain breads, and flaxseed. These help your stool move through your intestines.
2. Exercise.
Regular exercise helps constipation by lowering the time it takes food to move through the large intestine. This limits the amount of water your body absorbs from the stool. Hard, dry stools are harder to pass.
3. Hydrate.
Dehydration can increase constipation as less water is absorbed by the food, creating hard stools that can be challenging to pass.
4. Stick to a schedule.
Going to the bathroom at the same time each day can signal to your body that it is time for a bowel movement. This can help to improve the regularity of your bowel movements.
5. Avoid highly processed foods.
These foods are low in nutrients and fiber and can often take longer to pass through your body, as well as absorbing less water.
When To See A Doctor For Your Constipation
If your symptoms continue to get worse, or if they persist even once your constipation has cleared up, you should definitely make an appointment with your healthcare provider for a thorough check up.
If you have any of the following red flags, at any time, you should make an immediate appointment with your doctor to do a thorough evaluation.
Red Flags For Constipation
Blood in your stool
Rectal bleeding
Fever
Vomiting
Sharp pain in your abdomen
Sharp pain in your back
These are urgent signs that should not be ignored and can indicate something serious that is going on with your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my back pain is caused by constipation?
The hallmark sign is that your back pain is dull and achy (not sharp or shooting) and tends to worsen when your bowel is full and improve after a bowel movement. If you haven't had a bowel movement in 3+ days and your lower abdomen feels bloated or heavy alongside the back pain, constipation is likely a contributing factor. A trial of dietary changes (more fiber and water) and monitoring whether your back pain improves is a reasonable first step before seeking medical evaluation.
How long does constipation-related back pain typically last?
Constipation-related back pain generally resolves within 24–72 hours once the constipation is relieved — whether through dietary changes, increased fluid intake, or appropriate use of laxatives. If your back pain persists after your constipation has cleared, a different underlying cause should be investigated by a healthcare provider. Chronic constipation-related back pain that recurs frequently warrants a full medical evaluation.
Which foods help relieve both constipation and back pain at the same time?
Several foods address both issues simultaneously. High-fiber foods like legumes, oats, flaxseed, and leafy greens promote healthy bowel function while also reducing systemic inflammation. Anti-inflammatory foods like berries, olive oil, and fatty fish can ease the inflammatory component of back pain. Adequate hydration (water, herbal teas, broth) softens stools and keeps spinal discs properly cushioned. Probiotic-rich foods like kefir and yogurt support gut health and may reduce inflammation.
Can chronic constipation cause permanent damage to my back?
In most cases, no. Constipation-related back pain is a functional problem that resolves when the constipation is treated and managed. However, severe chronic constipation can, in rare cases, contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction or create pressure on pelvic nerves, which may cause persistent discomfort. If you experience long-term bowel dysfunction alongside persistent back pain, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist and a spine specialist to rule out structural causes.
When should I see a doctor about constipation and back pain together?
See your doctor promptly if: you have blood in your stool or rectal bleeding; you experience sudden, severe abdominal pain with back pain; you have an unexplained fever; you have lost weight without trying; your constipation lasts more than 2–3 weeks despite dietary changes; or your back pain is severe, worsening, or accompanied by numbness or weakness in your legs. These red flags require medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions like bowel obstruction, colon cancer, or spinal nerve compression.
Conclusions
Constipation is something that can happen to all of us at some point, especially if our diet is not as good as it could be or if we are traveling or stressed.
There are simple changes that we can make to our diets to help reduce the chances of constipation happening. Make sure you drink more water when flying, try to limit refined and processed foods and continue to exercise.
If you have successfully implemented these changes and you are having regular bowel movements but your low back pain persists, then it is a good idea to see your healthcare provider to talk about your concerns in more detail.
Also, if you have any red flags that are happening to your body, along with low back pain, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Remember, certain pain medications like opioids can actually cause constipation as well, so it might be an idea to switch medications. You should always talk to your doctor about medication changes first, though.
While most cases of acute low back pain will resolve on their own, and most cases of constipation can be cleared up with dietary and lifestyle modifications, there are definitely more concerning cases that should be discussed with a specialist.
Remember, prevention is always better than treatment and catching something early often means much better outcomes.
Written by the LivaFortis Editorial Team. All content is created and reviewed by experts in biotechnology, translational medicine, and digital health innovation. Learn more about our editorial standards.
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