Brandon Chiropractor Explains the Link Between Constipation and Back Pain

As the sixth highest-costing ailment in the U.S., back pain results in $12 billion spent annually in healthcare and out-of-pocket costs. According to the Health Policy Institute, just under 65 million Americans suffer from this issue, 8% with chronic back pain. But what if understanding the link between constipation and back pain could permanently solve your problems?

The #1 Brandon Chiropractic Associates team studies back pain relief in Brandon, FL. They've spent over 15 years treating and remedying back pain with diagnosis techniques and solutions to alter each unique root cause. So trust them to uncover whether you have constipation and how it affects you.

How Can You Tell When You Have Constipation?

Some believe constipation simply means bowel movements are difficult, causing strain when on the toilet. But when waste builds up in the intestines, it halts movement altogether, meaning feeling the need to get to the toilet can be a struggle in itself. You may only go to the bathroom three times a week rather than twice daily. 

As buildup accumulates and remains within the body for extended periods, abdominal pressure and discomfort ensues. When you finally go, pain accompanies the uncomfortable feeling as you strain to pass a hard stool. 

Types of Constipation and How They Cause Pain

Infrequent bowel movements cause similar symptoms among patients, but constipation has multiple causes, each requiring a different solution. Therefore, knowing your constipation type helps you find the appropriate Brandon treatment options.

General constipation occurs when fecal matter sits in your bowels stubbornly, causing your intestines to swell. Still, it isn’t serious enough to demand medical intervention. Slight changes in your lifestyle or diet can release the tension.

However, if you ignore constipation symptoms, fecal impaction develops. This more severe condition causes rectovaginal fistula, colonic perforation, and megacolon, to name a few, resulting in bodily damage. With the following additional symptoms, seek medical help:

• Rectal discomfort
• Nausea or vomiting
• Urinary frequency or incontinence
• Pain spreading to the lower limbs

Solving the Root Cause of the Issue 

If you have constipation and back pain caused by fecal impaction, a Brandon specialist may soften the stool with an enema, sometimes pairing it with anal suppositories, water irrigation, or laxatives. 

If your doctor claims you have general constipation, they'll suggest playing sports, exercising, stretching, and other physical activity. They'll also teach you how to implement a low-fiber diet with proteins, fruits, and vegetables and fight dehydration by drinking a recommended amount of water daily. Over-the-counter medication should be a last resort. 

When All Else Fails, You Need Brandon Chiropractic Care!

If your back pain doesn’t go away post-constipation, your doctor may check for colon or rectal cancer tumors that may be pressing against your internal organs, causing discomfort. Other times, your body may simply need some chiropractic care. From spinal stenosis to sciatica, Brandon Chiropractic Associates handles everything. Whatever type of back pain you have, whatever the root cause, trust this caring Brandon, FL, team. Contact them for a free consultation to rid yourself of constipation and back pain today!