Experiencing discomfort in both the stomach and lower back simultaneously is common. These symptoms can arise from issues within the digestive system, musculoskeletal structure, or urinary and reproductive organs. The close proximity of these systems and shared nerve pathways mean pain originating in one area can be “referred” to another.
Common Digestive Explanations
Digestive system irregularities frequently cause concurrent stomach and lower back pain. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often involves abdominal cramping, bloating, and gas, which can radiate to the lower back. Gas pressure, colon spasms, or swollen bowels, typical symptoms of IBS, contribute to this referred pain.
Constipation can also contribute to lower back pain. Accumulated stool in the large intestine exerts pressure on nearby nerves and muscles in the pelvic region and lower back. This pressure results in a dull, aching sensation in the lower back, which may worsen with prolonged sitting or standing.
Indigestion or gastritis, which involves inflammation of the stomach lining, can also manifest with pain that extends beyond the abdomen. Severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back might indicate conditions such as gastric ulcers.
Musculoskeletal and Postural Factors
Issues with the body’s physical structure can also lead to pain in both the stomach and lower back. Muscle strain or sprain in the lower back, often from overexertion or improper lifting, can cause localized pain that feels more widespread due to nerve irritation.
Poor posture, especially when prolonged, places undue stress on the spine and its supporting muscles. This can lead to muscle imbalances and chronic strain in the lower back, potentially causing referred pain to the abdominal area. An unnatural curvature or tension in the spine can result from consistent slouching. A herniated disc, where a spinal disc presses on a nerve, can sometimes cause radiating pain that extends beyond the back, occasionally mimicking abdominal discomfort. Sciatica, characterized by irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically causes pain radiating from the lower back down the leg, but in some instances, nerve pathways can lead to sensations that feel like abdominal discomfort.
Urinary and Reproductive System Links
The close anatomical relationship between the urinary and reproductive systems and the lower back means that conditions affecting these organs frequently present with pain in both regions. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common example, causing lower abdominal pain, pelvic pressure, and discomfort that can extend to the lower back. Kidney infections, a more serious form of UTI, specifically present with pain in the back, often just under the ribs.
Kidney stones are another cause of intense, fluctuating pain that can be felt in the lower back, side, and radiate into the lower abdomen or groin. This severe pain, often described as colicky, occurs as the stone moves through the urinary tract.
For women, menstrual cramps are a very common cause of lower abdominal pain that radiates to the lower back and thighs. This pain is largely due to uterine contractions and the release of prostaglandins, chemicals that promote these contractions.
Conditions like endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can cause significant pelvic and lower back pain, often worsening during menstruation. Ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths in or on the uterus, can also lead to pressure and pain in the pelvic area that may extend to the back, particularly if they are large enough to compress surrounding structures or nerves.
For men, prostate issues such as prostatitis, an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland, can cause pain in the lower abdomen, genitals, and lower back. An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) can also contribute to lower back discomfort.
Knowing When to Get Medical Help
While many instances of stomach and lower back pain are due to common, less severe issues, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention. Seek immediate care if the pain is sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening. This is especially true if the pain is accompanied by a high fever, chills, or persistent vomiting.
Other red flag symptoms include unexplained weight loss, blood in your urine or stool, or difficulty with urination or bowel movements. Pain that occurs after an injury or trauma, or pain that is so severe it wakes you from sleep, should also prompt a medical evaluation.
Any pain that is persistent, significantly interferes with daily activities, or is unresponsive to basic self-care measures warrants a consultation with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause.