Have you ever noticed that you experience sudden pain in your back when you sneeze? Experiencing pain or discomfort in your back when you sneeze is a common problem for many people. Sneezing can become a challenging and even painful experience due to this pain. In this article, we take an in-depth look into why this happens, possible causes, and how you can alleviate the pain.
What is the Reason Behind Back Pain When Sneezing?
Sneezing is a bodily reflex, which is quite common when something irritates the lining of one’s nose or throat. The sudden force of a sneeze can also cause pain in the back because of the force with which the body moves forward. This sudden pushing forward causes the abdominal muscles to contract, leading to back pain.
Physical Injury
Physical injuries that occur to the back can cause pain when you sneeze, which may be due to an inflammation from a previous injury or damage to the spinal cord or even to the abdominal muscles. Strained muscles are prone to sudden movement, hence causing pain upon sneezing.
Medical Conditions
In some cases, medical conditions can also be a contributing factor to back pain when you sneeze. Diseases that affect the spine, such as scoliosis, can cause pain when you sneeze because the back is strained due to the misalignment of the spine. Other conditions such as herniated discs, osteoporosis and arthritis are also known to cause back pain when sneezing.
Pregnancy
When a woman is pregnant, the sneeze can cause her abdominal muscles to tighten, resulting in back pain. This is due to the fact that the baby is pressing down on the abdominal muscles and lungs, which may cause them to contract when you sneeze.
Injury to the Abdominal Muscles
Injury to the abdominal muscles can be caused by over exertion or strain due to physical activities, such as weightlifting, running, or sports in general. These activities can cause the abdominal muscles to become overstretched or torn, leading to pain upon sneezing.
Poor Posture
Having bad posture while sitting or standing can increase the chances of experiencing back pain when sneezing. Poor posture can cause the abdominal muscles to become weak, leading to a strain when you sneeze, resulting in pain in the back.
People Also Ask
Can sneezing cause back problems?
Yes, sneezing can cause back problems, usually due to the sudden contraction of the abdominal muscles and back muscles caused by the force of the sneeze.
What can I do to stop my back from hurting when I sneeze?
Good posture and strengthen your abs and back muscles with regular exercise can help to prevent your back from hurting when you sneeze. You should also avoid activities that can cause strain to your abdominal muscles, such as heavy lifting and over-exerting yourself.
Can sneezing cause rib pain?
Yes, sneezing can cause rib pain, as a sudden contraction of the chest muscles can cause pain and discomfort in the ribs when you sneeze.
What can you do for chest pain after sneezing?
If you experience chest pain after sneezing, it is important to seek medical attention. The chest pain could be caused by a serious underlying condition, such as a heart condition, or it may be caused by an infection or injury.
Can sneezing cause chest pains?
Yes, sneezing can cause chest pains, which is caused by the sudden contraction of the chest muscles due to the force of the sneeze. This can cause chest pain and discomfort.
Final Words
Back pain when sneezing can be caused by many different factors, ranging from physical injuries, medical conditions, and pregnancy to poor posture. Whilst some of these conditions may be unavoidable, there are some steps that can be taken to prevent back pain upon sneezing by ensuring good posture, and avoiding activities that can cause strain to the abdominal muscles. It is important to pay attention to back pain when you sneeze and to seek medical attention if necessary.