Lower Back Pain and Nausea: What’s the Connection and How to Find Relief

Nausea is never a welcome sensation. But when it occurs along with other symptoms, like lower back pain, you may worry that a deeper issue is at play.

To clear up any concerns and ensure you get the proper care, let’s explore the connection between lower back pain and nausea, including strategies to find relief. 

Understanding the Connection Between Back Pain and Nausea

The connection between back pain and nausea can vary depending on the root cause. However, multiple physiological factors link the two symptoms, mainly the nervous system. 

How the Nervous System Connects Back Pain and Nausea

One of the most significant threads linking nausea to back pain is the nervous system, as certain nerves can trigger both symptoms. Perhaps the biggest example of this is the vagus nerve, which extends from the brain to various abdominal organs. It’s a heavy hitter in the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to regulate bodily functions ranging from breathing and heart rate to digestion and mood. 

In some cases, back pain can irritate the vagus nerve. This can cause nausea and stomach discomfort, along with back discomfort. 

Referred Pain

Another possible reason for back pain and nausea is referred pain. Referred pain is defined as pain that’s felt in one part of the body but originates in another. Sometimes, pain stemming from the spine or back muscles impacts the stomach and causes nausea. 

Common Causes and Conditions

Gastrointestinal Issues

Certain gastrointestinal issues, including bowel inflammation, food poisoning, norovirus, and peptic ulcers, can cause both back pain and nausea. With these conditions, back pain and nausea are two separate symptoms that can occur simultaneously, along with other symptoms like abdominal pain and vomiting. 

Liver and Gallbladder Problems

The liver and gallbladder are both organs that can trigger back pain and nausea when problems occur, such as:

  • Gallstones
  • Biliary dyskinesia
  • Gallbladder inflammation, known as cholecystitis 
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Liver abscess

Kidney Conditions

The kidneys filter waste and excess water from the bloodstream. Back pain and nausea are possible symptoms of the following kidney conditions:

  • Kidney infections, also known as pyelonephritis
  • Kidney stones
  • Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD
  • Hydronephrosis, caused by urine building up in the kidneys

Pregnancy-Related Causes

Back pain and nausea are very common symptoms of pregnancy. Lower back pain, in particular, is prevalent in pregnancy as the fetus grows and imparts more pressure on the spine. Nausea and vomiting are telltale symptoms of morning sickness, which usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy as a result of hormonal fluctuations. 

Spine and Muscle-Related Causes

Spinal issues, like nerve impingement, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and spinal misalignments, usually cause back pain. While it’s not a common symptom, nausea can also occur if the issue compresses a nerve that supplies the gastrointestinal system. This is also true for inflamed or tense muscles that press on nearby nerves. 

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

To diagnose the problem causing lower back pain and nausea, your doctor will gather information (including your family and medical history), perform a physical exam, and order any required blood testing or imaging. Based on this diagnosis, they can recommend a treatment plan to address the underlying tissue. 

Common treatment approaches include:

Home Remedies and Self-Care Options

For mild issues causing lower back pain and nausea (like minor sprains or strains, muscle tension, soreness, etc.), home remedies and self-care may be all you need to recover.

Common strategies for lower back pain include:

  • Heat and cold therapy
  • Gentle stretching
  • Rest
  • Improving your posture
  • Taking over-the-counter pain medications, like NSAIDs

Common self-care techniques for nausea include:

  • Herbal remedies, including ginger, lemon, peppermint, and chamomile
  • Hydration
  • Aromatherapy, particularly with scents including lavender, ginger, and peppermint
  • Rest
  • Breathing techniques
  • Over-the-counter medications, including dimenhydrinate

Medical Treatments and Interventions

Various treatments may be used for lower back pain and nausea, depending on the underlying cause. Prescription medications, physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and massage therapy are all possible options. Ultimately, given that the potential causes of lower back pain and nausea are diverse, ranging greatly from musculoskeletal conditions to organ diseases and more, your doctor will need to provide a personalized treatment plan after a thorough evaluation. 

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Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle modifications often play a critical role in overcoming conditions like lower back pain and nausea. They can help to minimize your need for medications and invasive treatments while providing long-term symptom relief. Key adjustments include:

  • Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Staying active, ideally with regular low-impact exercise
  • Quitting smoking
  • Limiting alcohol consumption

Emergency Situations and Warning Signs

In rare circumstances, lower back pain and nausea can indicate an emergency medical situation. If you experience any of the following warning signs and red flag symptoms, seek immediate medical care:

  • Fever or chills
  • Loss of bladder or bowel function
  • Numbness and weakness
  • Severe abdominal discomfort
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Severe vomiting
  • Symptoms following a trauma, like a car accident
  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Rapidly worsening symptoms

After seeking prompt care for these symptoms, your doctor will provide aftercare instructions and recommend follow-up care. You’ll likely need regular follow-ups with your provider until your condition stabilizes to ensure your prescribed treatment plan is effectively resolving the issue. 

Prevention and Long-Term Management

Preventative measures and lifestyle changes can help prevent conditions that cause lower back pain and nausea. Along with all of the lifestyle adjustments listed above, make sure to:

  • Properly manage any chronic conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure
  • Limit your exposure to environmental irritants and toxins
  • Attend all recommended follow-ups and check-ups with your doctor
  • Manage your stress levels and address mental health concerns
  • Prioritize high-quality sleep and a consistent sleep schedule
  • Avoiding taking medications unnecessarily or overusing over-the-counter pain medications

If you experience lower back pain and nausea that’s concerning or lasts longer than a few days, visit your doctor for further guidance.