Lower back pain is not just common, but very discomforting and equally difficult to treat. According to experts, there can be many reasons behind this debilitating condition - suffered by more than 619 million people globally, including bad posture and a sedentary lifestyle. However, a lesser-known reason is a digestive disorder – constipation.

Doctors say constipation - passing fewer than three stools per week, can be painful and may affect your lower back and your abdomen. And so, it is very important to seek medical care for lasting constipation to determine the cause and best treatment.

Healthline defines constipation as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. The blockage in your colon or rectum can cause a dull pain that extends from your abdomen to your lower back.

According to doctors, sometimes, back pain caused by a tumour or infection could have constipation as a side effect. In other cases, lower back pain may not be related to constipation. Cancer Research UK says if the tumour presses on the nerves in the spinal cord, it can stop or slow down the movement of the bowel, leading to constipation. Many studies also attribute pain and constipation – both to tumors in the colon.

Also, those women who have endometriosis – a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus starts to grow in other places in the body, including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel, and bladder, lower back pain and constipation, along with severe menstrual cramps are common.

Those suffering from fibromyalgia - a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the body - usually experience increased sensitivity to pain, pain all over the body, problems sleeping, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Lower back pain along with constipation are also common symptoms.

Doctors say the first line of treatment for constipation is changing what you eat. Try adding more fiber and water to your diet to help soften your stool and make it easier to pass. However, if the condition still occurs after starting a new diet or taking a new medication, contact your doctor.

Some common treatments include the following:

Regular physical activity like exercise and workouts promote proper circulation and keep your bowels healthy.

It is important to consume at least 4-6 glasses of water or fluids to help get rid of constipation

More fibre in your diet with fruits and vegetables can help you get rid of constipation easily

Apart from that, over-the-counter stool softeners, suppositories, and laxatives can help with temporary constipation. You can also try natural stool softeners and laxatives. If resolving your constipation doesn’t greatly reduce or eliminate your back pain, chances are they are unrelated. Talk to your doctor about evaluating your back pain.

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