The human body is incredibly interconnected, and you’ll never be more aware of it than when something hurts in one area that then spreads, or radiates, to another area. Once concerning spread of pain people experience is stomach pain that becomes back pain, or vice versa.
If you’re experiencing pain radiating from your stomach to your back (or vice versa), let’s explore what might be causing it and more importantly, how you may be able to treat it.
Why does stomach pain radiate to the back?
When you experience stomach pain that seems to “travel” to your back, it may feel like the cause is spreading and getting worse, but it may be due to simple reality of how your nerves work. The nerves that relay signals to and from your abdominal area and your back are interconnected, meaning irritation in one area can send signals that are felt elsewhere.
For instance, inflammation or tight muscles abdominal region might irritate the connected nerves, resulting in referred pain felt in the back. On the flip side, back pain caused by posture misalignment or muscle strain can also “talk” to the surrounding nerves, which may lead to discomfort in the abdomen, even if the core muscles aren’t in pain themselves.
Causes of stomach pain
Abdominal pain can arise from a wide range of conditions, some of which can be helped through self-care, and others that require a medical professional.
Muscle strain or tightness
Overusing or straining your abdominal muscles during exercise or daily activities can lead to soreness that radiates into your back. Think about how connected your core muscles are to your overall movement, supporting both your midsection and your entire upper body’s posture.
Abdominal and back muscle strains are commonly experienced during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through aches and pains alone. Physical therapy can be incredibly helpful for those who are pregnant to learn new postures while their bodies go through immense and rapid changes.
Poor posture
A slouched or imbalanced posture can overwork specific abdominal muscles and create tension throughout the core. Over time, this may result in a combination of stomach and back pain that radiates back and forth between these areas.
Core muscle fatigue
Your core muscles are always active in ways you may not realize. Activities like heavy lifting, sitting for extended hours, or even coughing repeatedly can fatigue or strain your abdominal muscles. The result? Discomfort that may “travel” to your lower back.
Referred pain from chronic conditions
For individuals with chronic conditions, including abdominal or pelvic issues that trigger inflammation, the pain signals can extend far beyond the site of the issue, resulting in back pain.
If persistent stomach pain feels like it’s radiating to your back, especially alongside other symptoms, it’s important to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis.
Why does back pain radiate to the stomach?
Causes of lower back pain
There are a lot of reasons your back may hurt, and it’s not uncommon for people with certain injuries or conditions to experience back pain radiating to other parts of the body, like the hips, pelvis, or stomach.
Lumbar strain
Tight or overused muscles in the lower back, especially in the lumbar region (lower back), may cause referred pain to surrounding areas like the core or stomach.
Nerve compression
Pinched nerves in the lower back can transmit discomfort to nearby muscle groups, creating pain that feels like it’s coming from the stomach. For instance, sciatica is a common condition where nerves originating in the spine cause pain radiating to the hips, legs, or even abdomen.
Postural misalignment
Sitting improperly can put forward pressure on the spine, overloading certain back muscles and potentially leading to discomfort in the stomach region.
Core and back dysfunction
Weak or imbalanced core and back muscle groups can affect the entire midsection. For example, lower back stiffness can create tightness that radiates through the abdominal area.
These interconnected systems show just how important your spine and core muscles are for pain management.
Simple, effective treatment options with physical therapy
If your abdominal or back aches aren’t improving on their own or seem to be spreading, physical therapy offers simple and effective solutions. By addressing both the root cause and your most urgent symptoms, seeing a physical therapist is often a comprehensive solution for interconnected pain.
Treating back pain
Back pain requires a personalized approach to ensure you get the spine care you need for your specific cause of pain. Options at our Pittsburgh-area clinics for back pain treatments can include things like:
- Strengthening exercises – Targeted exercises for the core and lower back can improve muscle stability, build strength, and reduce pressure on nerves.
- Manual therapy – Therapists use hands-on techniques to relieve muscle tension, mobilize tight areas, and ease tension in the affected areas.
- Postural corrections – Correcting posture and retraining muscle groups to support the spine can significantly reduce pain caused by poor alignment.
Treating abdominal pain
Stomach pain that radiates to the back can stem from issues involving the musculoskeletal system. However, if your internal stomach pain is persistent, or if it involves other symptoms, like vomiting, heartburn, bloating, or other issues, see a doctor.
However, if you are mostly feeling muscle tightness, soreness, aches, and radiating pain as a result, physical therapy may be able to help by using some of the following techniques:
- Deep breathing exercises – Gentle breathing techniques can alleviate tension stored in the diaphragm and upper abdominal muscles.
- Stretching the core muscle group – Gentle stretches tailored to your condition can release tension in the core area.
- Trigger point therapy – Physical Therapists often use targeted techniques to reduce knots in abdominal muscles.
Find whole-body pain relief through physical therapy
Physical therapy is a proven, holistic approach to treating interconnected aches and pains throughout the body with expert analysis, tailored exercises, and hands-on care.
At Panther PT, we understand that pain isn’t confined to one area, which means our treatments are never confined to one set of options. Our team of experts specializes in addressing whole-body pain and creating personalized plans to get you moving comfortably again.
Learn more about the pain that’s radiating through your body by requesting an appointment or free screening online today. You can also call one of our Pittsburgh physical therapy clinics directly.
