Cough with back pain right side. Lower Back Pain When Coughing: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention Tips

04.09.202330.06.2023 by alexxlab

What causes lower back pain when coughing. How can you treat lower back pain triggered by coughing. What prevention methods help reduce lower back pain associated with coughing.

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Common Causes of Lower Back Pain When Coughing

Lower back pain that occurs during coughing can stem from various underlying issues. Understanding these causes is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. Here are some of the most frequent culprits:

Herniated disk
Muscle strain
Muscle sprain
Muscle spasm
Poor posture
Chronic coughing

A herniated disk occurs when the soft inner portion of a spinal disk pushes through the tougher exterior. This can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain that may worsen with coughing. Muscle strains involve the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers, while sprains affect the ligaments. Both can lead to discomfort during coughing due to the sudden movement and pressure changes.

Muscle spasms, characterized by involuntary contractions, can also contribute to back pain when coughing. Poor posture, especially during prolonged sitting or standing, can weaken back muscles and make them more susceptible to pain during coughing episodes. In some cases, chronic coughing itself can strain the back muscles over time, leading to persistent discomfort.

The Biomechanics of Coughing and Its Impact on the Lower Back

To understand why coughing can cause or exacerbate lower back pain, it’s essential to examine the biomechanics involved. During a cough, several physical changes occur in the body:

The diaphragm contracts forcefully
Abdominal muscles tighten
The chest cavity compresses
The spine flexes forward slightly

These actions create sudden pressure changes within the thoracic and abdominal cavities. This rapid increase in pressure can strain the muscles, ligaments, and other structures in the lower back, particularly if they are already weakened or injured.

Additionally, the forward flexion of the spine during coughing can compress the intervertebral disks, potentially aggravating existing disk problems or creating new ones. This combination of pressure changes and spinal movement explains why coughing can trigger or worsen lower back pain in many individuals.

Effective Treatments for Lower Back Pain Associated with Coughing

Addressing lower back pain that occurs during coughing often requires a multifaceted approach. Here are several effective treatment options:

1. Pain Management Techniques

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort. For more severe pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications or muscle relaxants.

2. Physical Therapy

A physical therapist can design a targeted exercise program to strengthen your back muscles, improve flexibility, and correct posture issues. They may also use techniques like manual therapy or ultrasound to promote healing.

3. Hot and Cold Therapy

Alternating between heat and cold applications can help reduce pain and inflammation. Apply a cold pack for the first 48-72 hours after an injury, then switch to heat to promote blood flow and relaxation.

4. Proper Coughing Technique

Learning to cough with proper form can significantly reduce strain on your lower back. Try to maintain a natural arch in your back and keep your shoulders relaxed when coughing. Supporting yourself by placing a hand on a stable surface can also help.

Prevention Strategies to Minimize Lower Back Pain During Coughing

Preventing lower back pain associated with coughing involves a combination of lifestyle changes and proactive measures. Consider implementing these strategies:

Maintain good posture throughout the day
Engage in regular core-strengthening exercises
Practice proper lifting techniques
Use an ergonomic chair and workstation setup
Stay hydrated to keep intervertebral disks healthy
Manage chronic cough conditions with appropriate medical care

By incorporating these preventive measures into your daily routine, you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing lower back pain when coughing. Remember that consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a healthy back.

The Role of Proper Posture in Mitigating Cough-Related Back Pain

Maintaining proper posture plays a crucial role in preventing and managing lower back pain, especially when it comes to coughing. Good posture helps distribute the forces exerted on your spine more evenly, reducing the risk of strain or injury.

When sitting, ensure that your back is supported against the chair, your feet are flat on the floor, and your computer screen is at eye level. While standing, keep your shoulders back, your chin tucked, and your weight evenly distributed on both feet.

During a coughing episode, try to maintain the natural curve of your spine instead of hunching forward. This can help minimize the compression of your spinal disks and reduce the strain on your back muscles.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Lower Back Pain When Coughing

While many cases of lower back pain associated with coughing can be managed at home, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. You should consult a healthcare professional if:

The pain persists for more than a few weeks
The pain is severe or worsening
You experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs
You have difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
You develop a fever along with back pain
You have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, or steroid use

These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your symptoms.

Lifestyle Modifications to Support a Healthy Lower Back

In addition to specific treatments and prevention strategies, certain lifestyle modifications can contribute to overall back health and reduce the likelihood of experiencing pain when coughing:

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight puts additional stress on your spine and supporting muscles. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and exercise can significantly reduce the strain on your lower back.

2. Stay Active

Regular physical activity helps keep your back muscles strong and flexible. Low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or cycling can be particularly beneficial for back health.

3. Quit Smoking

Smoking can reduce blood flow to the spine, leading to disk degeneration and increased risk of back pain. Quitting smoking can improve overall spine health and reduce the frequency of coughing.

4. Manage Stress

Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension and exacerbate back pain. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga into your daily routine.

5. Get Adequate Sleep

Quality sleep allows your body to repair and regenerate tissues, including those in your back. Ensure you have a supportive mattress and pillow, and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

By incorporating these lifestyle modifications, you can create a foundation for better back health and reduce the impact of coughing on your lower back.

Ergonomic Considerations for Preventing Lower Back Pain

Ergonomics plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy back and preventing pain during activities like coughing. Here are some key ergonomic considerations to keep in mind:

1. Workstation Setup

Ensure your desk, chair, and computer are properly aligned to promote good posture. Your monitor should be at eye level, your keyboard and mouse should be easily reachable, and your chair should provide adequate lumbar support.

2. Proper Lifting Techniques

When lifting objects, bend at your knees and hips, not your back. Keep the object close to your body and avoid twisting while lifting. This technique helps distribute the weight more evenly and reduces strain on your lower back.

3. Supportive Footwear

Wear shoes that provide good arch support and cushioning. This can help maintain proper alignment throughout your body, reducing stress on your back.

4. Sleeping Position

Choose a sleeping position that maintains the natural curve of your spine. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees or on your back with a pillow under your knees can help alleviate pressure on your lower back.

By implementing these ergonomic principles in your daily life, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing lower back pain and minimize discomfort during coughing episodes.

Understanding the causes of lower back pain when coughing, along with effective treatments and prevention strategies, can help you manage this common issue. Remember to listen to your body, maintain good posture, and seek medical attention if your symptoms persist or worsen. With the right approach, you can reduce the impact of coughing on your lower back and improve your overall quality of life.

Lower Back Pain When Coughing: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Ana Gotter — Updated on February 16, 2019

Overview

Your back moves most when your upper body moves, including when you cough. As you cough, you may notice your shoulders hunch up and your body lean forward. Since coughing affects the position of your body, you might feel pain when you cough.

The forward motion that can be caused by coughing moves the lower back as well. Pain in the lower back can spread into your hips and legs. The pain is likely a sign of a problem with your lower back.

Sometimes, back pain can actually be caused by chronic coughing. The act of coughing can put a strain on the back and make it contract more than normal. However, when coughing isn’t chronic, the pain is most often due to an issue with your back.

Lower back pain can have many causes. Some of the most common causes include:

Herniated disk. Disks are the cushions between the bones in your spine. A herniated disk (or ruptured or slipped disk) occurs when the softer part of the disk pushes out to the harder part.
Muscle strain. A strain can affect a muscle or a tendon. In the back, the muscle or tendon can get pulled, torn, or twisted.
Muscle sprain. A sprain affects the ligaments that connect bones at a joint. With a sprain, the ligaments get stretched or torn.
Muscle spasm. Spasms and cramps happen when a muscle can’t relax after contracting. The spasms can last seconds to over 15 minutes at a time. Sometimes, you can see the muscle twitch. The muscle can also be extra hard or look different than normal.

Try to keep a natural arch in your back when you cough, instead of hunching forward. Keeping your shoulders down (think of them as moving away from your ears) can also help your back relax during a cough.

If you put your hand down on a surface like a table or counter when you cough, this helps the back not to compress.

There are many reasons why you might have lower back pain when you cough. Some are easy to fix, while others might need medical attention. Here are some common causes of back pain and tips for finding relief:

Replace your mattress

If your mattress is over 5 to 7 years old, it maybe be time to replace it. Try a firmer or softer mattress, whichever your back prefers. A sign of an old mattress is sagging in the middle or where you sleep.

Stress relief

Stress, whether physical or emotional, often causes bodily stress. If the stress is caused by the coughing itself, try to relax instead of trying to fight the cough. For emotional stress, you can reduce your stress levels with breathing exercises, journaling, and other forms of self-care.

Use support while sitting

Many jobs require sitting for long periods of time. When you sit, you may find yourself slightly hunched toward your computer screen or other point of reference. Ideally, before your back feels sore, get up and move around. Even standing can help, as well as having an ergonomic chair and work setup.

When you sit, keep your back against your chair. Your arms should be at a 75- to 90-degree angle when you’re sitting at a desk. Your feet should be flat on the floor. Use a foot rest if your feet can’t reach the floor.

Wear supportive shoes

Your feet support your legs, which support your back. Wearing uncomfortable shoes can put a strain on your back. When you look for shoes, choose ones that have proper arches and support, and make sure they fit properly. Walk around the store to see how they feel. Check the soles for cushion.

Exercise properly

Overuse injuries can happen when you exercise too much too quickly, or if you exercise improperly. To avoid overuse, ramp up your physical activity slowly and make sure to use proper techniques and gear.

Improve your posture

When you walk, look straight ahead and keep your head balanced above your spine. Don’t droop your shoulders. Step from heel to toe. Certain exercises may help you improve your posture as well.

Warm up and hydrate before exercise

Before you do any physical activity, be sure to warm up and stretch. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid exercising in extra hot temperatures. Otherwise, you may experience a muscle spasm that could cause your back to hurt when moving later on, including when coughing.

Get properly trained to avoid occupational injury

Some jobs require a lot of lifting, bending, pulling, and pushing. If this is true for you, make sure you get properly trained on how to perform these functions in a way that supports your body. Also consider if you can adjust your workstation to ease or avoid strain on your back.

Manage previous back injury

If you’ve experienced a back injury in the past, you may be more likely to get another injury. Work with your doctor to keep your back extra healthy. This may include special exercises and knowledge of warning signs.

Other treatments

Other treatments for back pain when coughing include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, prescription medications, and back braces and belts.

If your back pain doesn’t get better within two weeks, see your doctor.

You should also see your doctor if you experience the following with your back pain:

constant pain that’s worse at night
fever
loss of bladder or bowel control
numbness, weakness, or tingling in one leg or both
pain following a trauma, such as a fall
throbbing pain in your abdomen
unexplained weight loss

You should also see your doctor if you’re experiencing chronic coughs. Understanding and treating the cause of your coughs can go a long way to reduce discomfort and improve your overall health.

If your back hurts when you cough, there’s likely an issue with your back that needs to be resolved. The position the body is in when coughing can make your back symptoms worse. Work with your doctor to figure out why your back is hurting. Also see a doctor if you have a chronic cough.

Last medically reviewed on February 15, 2019

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

10 tips for finding the right shoes. (n.d.)
health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/10-tips-for-finding-the-right-shoes
Back strains and sprains. (2018).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10265-back-strains-and-sprains
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Herniated disc.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/symptoms-causes/syc-20354095
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Overuse injury: How to prevent training injuries.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/overuse-injury/art-20045875
Muscle spasms. (2014).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15466-muscle-spasms
Slide show: Prevent back pain with good posture. (2016).
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/back-pain/sls-20076817?s=1

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Ana Gotter — Updated on February 16, 2019

Lower Back Pain When Coughing: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Health Conditions
- Featured
  - Breast Cancer
  - IBD
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  - Rheumatoid Arthritis
  - Type 2 Diabetes
- Articles
  - Acid Reflux
  - ADHD
  - Allergies
  - Alzheimer’s & Dementia
  - Bipolar Disorder
  - Cancer
  - Crohn’s Disease
  - Chronic Pain
  - Cold & Flu
  - COPD
  - Depression
  - Fibromyalgia
  - Heart Disease
  - High Cholesterol
  - HIV
  - Hypertension
  - IPF
  - Osteoarthritis
  - Psoriasis
  - Skin Disorders and Care
  - STDs
Discover
- Wellness Topics
  - Nutrition
  - Fitness
  - Skin Care
  - Sexual Health
  - Women’s Health
  - Mental Well-Being
  - Sleep
- Product Reviews
  - Vitamins & Supplements
  - Sleep
  - Mental Health
  - Nutrition
  - At-Home Testing
  - CBD
  - Men’s Health
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  - Diagnosis Diaries
  - You’re Not Alone
  - Present Tense
- Video Series
  - Youth in Focus
  - Healthy Harvest
  - No More Silence
  - Future of Health
Plan
- Health Challenges
  - Mindful Eating
  - Sugar Savvy
  - Move Your Body
  - Gut Health
  - Mood Foods
  - Align Your Spine
- Find Care
  - Primary Care
  - Mental Health
  - OB-GYN
  - Dermatologists
  - Neurologists
  - Cardiologists
  - Orthopedists
- Lifestyle Quizzes
  - Weight Management
  - Am I Depressed? A Quiz for Teens
  - Are You a Workaholic?
  - How Well Do You Sleep?
- Tools & Resources
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Connect
- - Breast Cancer
  - Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  - Psoriatic Arthritis
  - Migraine
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Psoriasis

Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Ana Gotter — Updated on February 16, 2019

Overview

The forward motion that can be caused by coughing moves the lower back as well. Pain in the lower back can spread into your hips and legs. The pain is likely a sign of a problem with your lower back.

Lower back pain can have many causes. Some of the most common causes include:

Herniated disk. Disks are the cushions between the bones in your spine. A herniated disk (or ruptured or slipped disk) occurs when the softer part of the disk pushes out to the harder part.
Muscle strain. A strain can affect a muscle or a tendon. In the back, the muscle or tendon can get pulled, torn, or twisted.
Muscle sprain. A sprain affects the ligaments that connect bones at a joint. With a sprain, the ligaments get stretched or torn.
Muscle spasm. Spasms and cramps happen when a muscle can’t relax after contracting. The spasms can last seconds to over 15 minutes at a time. Sometimes, you can see the muscle twitch. The muscle can also be extra hard or look different than normal.

If you put your hand down on a surface like a table or counter when you cough, this helps the back not to compress.