Severe gas can cause pain felt in the back. Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion that can become trapped in the digestive tract, leading to bloating and abdominal pressure. This intense pressure can trigger pain signals. The brain sometimes misinterprets these signals as originating from the back, chest, or shoulder rather than the abdomen.
The Mechanism of Referred Pain
Abdominal gas manifests as back discomfort due to referred pain. This occurs because visceral nerves, which supply internal organs, share spinal cord pathways with somatic nerves supplying the back muscles. When the colon is irritated or distended, the brain receives the pain signals but cannot precisely pinpoint the source. It projects the pain to the more familiar somatic area, often the mid-back or shoulder blade region.
The Splenic Flexure Syndrome involves a curve in the large intestine located in the upper left abdomen near the spleen. Gas accumulates in this bend, causing the colon wall to stretch and triggering intense localized pain. This pain is frequently referred to the left side of the back, the left shoulder, or the chest.
Gas trapped in the hepatic flexure, the bend in the colon on the upper right side near the liver, can refer pain to the right side of the back. The gas buildup creates pressure that irritates the nerves surrounding the diaphragm. This irritation sends pain signals perceived along the upper back and shoulder blades, creating back pain originating from the gut.
Differentiating Gas-Related Back Pain
Differentiating gas-related back pain from musculoskeletal or kidney issues relies on the quality of the discomfort and associated symptoms. Gas pain is typically described as sharp, cramping, or widespread pressure that often shifts location within the abdomen. This discomfort usually correlates directly with abdominal bloating or distension.
A key indicator of gas-related pain is its transient and episodic nature, frequently resolving after the person passes gas or belches. Musculoskeletal back pain, in contrast, is usually localized to a specific muscle or joint and is aggravated by movements like bending or lifting. Non-gas back pain rarely includes gastrointestinal symptoms like belching, flatulence, or loud stomach rumbling, which are hallmarks of a gas issue.
The pain from trapped gas often changes with positioning, particularly improving when the abdomen is compressed or relaxed, such as by walking or adopting a knee-to-chest position. If the pain is caused by a muscle strain or disc issue, changes in position might offer temporary relief but are unlikely to resolve the pain completely.
Watch for red flag symptoms that suggest the pain is not simply caused by gas and requires immediate medical attention. These include fever, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, or sudden, unbearable abdominal pain. Pain associated with cardiac symptoms or that radiates down the leg also suggests a cause other than trapped gas.
Strategies for Relief and Management
Immediate relief centers on encouraging the movement and expulsion of trapped air from the digestive system. Light physical activity, such as walking, stimulates intestinal motility and facilitates the passage of gas through the colon. Simple body positions that relieve pressure, such as lying on the back and bringing the knees up to the chest, are also effective.
Over-the-counter remedies designed for gas relief can provide rapid assistance. Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that decreases the surface tension of gas bubbles, encouraging them to merge into larger bubbles that are easier to expel. Activated charcoal is a gastrointestinal absorbent with a porous structure that traps gas molecules and chemicals within the digestive tract, reducing the overall volume of intestinal gas.
Using these methods, along with avoiding habits like drinking through a straw or consuming carbonated beverages, can help reduce the frequency and severity of back pain caused by intestinal gas.