What’s worse than a coughing fit? A coughing fit followed by shooting pain in the back. This is the worst combo ever and it leaves you in debilitating pain and discomfort. What is the cause of it? Should you see an orthopedic surgeon for the back pain? Here is what to know.
Causes Of Back Pain When Coughing
If you experience a lot of back pain, either in the upper or lower part when you cough, then here are some of the reasons why it could happen.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs with age. When people get older, their spinal column, and their bones in general, start to wither away. It is a natural process, but your spine can also take the brunt of the force.
This is why too much pressure or even strain on the spinal column when you sneeze or cough will lead to excruciating pain because the nerves are getting compressed and are causing a lot of pain in the back. If your spinal column is very fragile, then even the slightest strain can lead to a whole lot of damage.
Disc Herniation
If you know anything about the anatomy of a spine, even as a layman, then you would know that there are discs that lie between the columns of your spinal cord. These discs are more like cushions and they absorb all of the shock that your back endures. They prevent major spine injuries. Well sometimes, the discs can be on the receiving end of the damage.
If your posture is not perfect or you hunch your back a lot, then this can lead to the discs popping out of place. This is known as herniated disc, bulging disk, or slipped disc. If the disc is not able to act as a shock absorber, then it will lead to a lot of pain when you cough.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a very common disorder that occurs in people who are aging. It is the natural process of the bones withering away and joints are the parts that are most affected by this bone disorder. Osteoarthritis affects the cushiony cartilage in between your bones.
So, if there’s not anything to protect your bones from impact, then it will lead to injuries of epic proportions. This is why a lot of people with osteoarthritis will suffer from back pain and they will complain about their backs hurting especially when they sneeze and cough too much.
Muscle Strain
When you cough, you’re putting a lot of pressure on your body, whether you know it or not. This can lead to a temporary injury in your back and it is known as muscle strain. It is exactly what it sounds like. Your muscles are strained or injured thanks to the sudden bout of coughing and the unexpected pressure on your back.
Your back has a lot of muscles and ligaments and impact beyond the measure of endurance can lead to back pains. This is why many people experience pain in the back when they cough too hard.
Sciatica
If you have a herniated disc, then this problem will follow suit. Sciatica is known as a condition in which the nerves are pinched and compressed because of the herniated discs. The nerves are what send signals to the brain whenever they feel a sensation and that’s how you register the fact that you’re feeling pain or any other kind of sensation.
Well, if the nerves are constantly compressed or pinched, then it’ll lead to a lot of pain and it will become intense when you cough. You can visit a pain management clinic Woodbridge for dealing with back pain.
How To Manage Back Pain When Coughing?
So, now you know the possible reasons why back pains come with a blazing intensity when you’re coughing. Well, now the next, most important thing to do is to figure out how to deal with it. So, here is everything you need to know.
Physical Therapy
Back pain can be a huge hassle, but there are lots of natural remedies that can alleviate the tension and stress in your aching bones. One of them is physical therapy and massages. Aside from the usual painkillers, you want to work that tension out of your back.
If your back is strung tight and you add pain into the mix as well, then obviously the pain will be too much to handle. So, you want to talk to your doctor about physical therapy. This includes an array of exercises and movements that will keep your back fluid and pain-free.
Change Your Mattress
The place where you rest your back needs to be perfectly comfortable. Your mattress might be the culprit in intensifying the back pain that is picking up after each cough. So, you want to change it, if that’s the case. The mattress should be soft and sturdy at the same time.
You don’t want to go for a mattress that is like a bed of rocks. It should mold with your unique back curve and give you the support you need when you’re sleeping. You will see the difference for yourself in no time.
Spinal Support
If you do work that involves sitting at a desk all day, then you need to make it comfortable. If your back is in pain, then cut it some slack and make sure that the back is supported nicely when you’re sitting on something for hours on end.
Having support pillows for the chair or ergonomic chairs that compliment your back and give it the support it needs are perfect. You will see the difference and it will also alleviate the pain. You won’t feel like grabbing your back every time you cough and that is progress.
Keep A Good Posture
It all starts and ends with a good posture. We are usually unaware of how we’re standing or positioning our backs. You might be hunched over all the time and even though you might not feel anything now, it’s only a matter of time before that pain starts to creep in and it will permanently stay there, and even intensify when you cough.
So, catch yourself when you are in a bad posture. You want to keep your back straight, shoulders straight, and look forward. This will keep your back naturally straight and you won’t have any pain in the long run.
Keep The Body Moving
You don’t want to give up on movement. It’s easy to forget about everything and lay in bed all day when your back hurts, especially when you cough. But this will make things worse. If you suddenly move your rigid back, then it will hurt like the devil.
So, always keep your body moving. Whether it’s light walking or even just strolling around for a couple of minutes, it will work wonders. You will feel the pain subsiding and you won’t feel that bite of pain when you suddenly move.
Conclusion
Coughing and back pain are interconnected and some of these issues can halt normal life activities. Well, now you know why it occurs, so you can get rid of it or manage it. See a spine and back doctor Woodbridge who can properly diagnose the cause of the back pain.
