Experiencing back soreness when coughing is a common discomfort. While often temporary and benign, this sensation can range from a mild ache to sharp pain. Understanding its mechanisms can help address the discomfort.
How Coughing Causes Back Pain
Coughing involves a sudden, forceful expulsion of air, placing strain on various muscles and structures. The diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and abdominal muscles contract intensely. This creates a rapid increase in pressure within the abdomen and chest, transmitting force to the spine and surrounding soft tissues.
This forceful action can lead to muscle strain or spasms in the back, particularly in the lower back. Ligaments can also be sprained or stretched. The sudden pressure can aggravate existing conditions like a herniated disc, where the disc protrudes and irritates nearby nerves. Intercostal muscles can also become strained, contributing to pain around the rib cage and back.
Underlying Causes of Coughing
Back pain from coughing is a secondary symptom, arising from the cough itself rather than a primary back problem. The cough usually results from an underlying health condition. Common culprits for persistent coughing include respiratory infections like the common cold, flu, or bronchitis. These conditions irritate airways, triggering the body’s natural reflex to clear them.
Allergies and asthma are frequent causes of chronic coughing, leading to airway inflammation and increased mucus production. Another cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating the throat and triggering a cough. Postnasal drip, with excess mucus draining down the throat, can similarly cause irritation and a persistent cough.
Home Remedies for Relief
For many, managing back soreness from coughing can be achieved with simple home remedies. Rest is often beneficial, allowing strained muscles and tissues time to recover from the repetitive stress of coughing. Applying heat or cold packs to the affected area can help alleviate discomfort; cold therapy reduces inflammation and numbs pain, while heat therapy can relax tight muscles and improve blood flow.
Gentle stretching exercises can also help ease muscle tension and improve flexibility in the back, but these should be performed carefully to avoid further strain. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, can reduce both pain and inflammation. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids can help thin mucus, making coughs more productive and potentially less forceful. Using a humidifier can also moisturize the air, which may soothe irritated airways and reduce the severity of coughing.
When to Consult a Doctor
While back pain from coughing is often temporary, certain signs warrant medical attention. If the pain is severe, progressively worsens, or does not improve with home remedies after a few weeks, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider. Seek prompt medical care if the back pain is accompanied by a high fever, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel or bladder function.
Other concerning symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain, numbness or tingling, or weakness in the legs. These could indicate a more serious underlying issue that requires professional diagnosis and treatment. If the cough itself persists for more than three weeks, or if you have a chronic condition that causes persistent coughing, a doctor can help identify and manage the root cause.