Coughing is a natural reflex that helps to clear your airways of mucus and other irritants. However, for some people, coughing can also cause back pain. This can be a frustrating and uncomfortable experience. When you cough, your diaphragm contracts and your chest cavity expands. This creates pressure on your lungs, which forces air out of your body. While it’s usually harmless, you may have noticed that coughing sometimes also triggers pain in your back. Your spine and surrounding muscles play a crucial role in maintaining your posture and movement and can be affected by the strain caused by a strong cough.
If you already have a preexisting issue in your spine or back muscles, such as an injury or inflammation, the force of coughing can aggravate these problems and cause back pain. Even if you don’t have any known back issues, frequent or intense coughing can strain your back muscles, leading to discomfort. The good news is that there are ways you can help manage this pain, including through physical therapy.
Potential underlying causes of back pain when coughing
If you feel pain in your back when you cough, it could be due to one of several underlying reasons, including:
- Sprains and strains — A sprain refers to overstretched or torn ligaments, while a strain affects the muscles or tendons. Both sprains and strains can be caused by strenuous physical activities, lifting heavy objects or sudden movements. Coughing can aggravate these injuries, leading to back pain.
- Muscle spasms — A muscle spasm is an involuntary tightening of a muscle, often due to overuse or injury. If your back muscles are already tight or strained, a strong cough can trigger a spasm, causing sharp or shooting pain.
- Respiratory infections — Respiratory infections like pneumonia or bronchitis can lead to a persistent cough. These infections can also cause chest pain that radiates to the back, especially if the cough is frequent and forceful. The inflammation in the lungs and airways can also add to the strain on your back muscles.
- Spinal stenosis — Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the nerves traveling through the spine. This condition can cause pain, tingling or numbness in the back. Coughing can add to the pressure in the spinal canal, making the pain worse.
- Pinched nerve — A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is put on a nerve by surrounding tissue, such as bones, cartilage or muscles. When you cough, the added pressure can compress the pinched nerve even further, causing back pain.
- Herniated disc — A herniated disc occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, irritating nearby nerves. A herniated disc can cause back pain, especially when coughing, sneezing or bending. The pressure from a cough can make symptoms worse because it compresses the nerves around the herniated disc.
- Lung cancer — If it spreads to other parts of the body, lung cancer can cause back pain when coughing. This happens when a tumor grows large enough to press against the spine or other nearby structures.
If you have persistent pain along with a chronic cough, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any serious conditions.
How to manage back pain when coughing
If your back hurts when you cough, here are several steps you can take to try to manage the pain:
- Heat and cold therapy — Give your back time to rest and heal while using heat and cold therapy. Applying an ice pack to the affected area of your back can help reduce inflammation and numb pain. Switching to heat therapy can help relax tight muscles and improve blood flow to the area.
- Posture correction — Poor posture can put additional strain on your back muscles and spine. Make sure you sit and stand upright, especially when you cough. This can help minimize the pressure on your back. Keeping your shoulders relaxed and your spine aligned can help reduce pain.
- Medication — Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help reduce pain and inflammation in your back. However, make sure you use them as directed and consult your doctor if the pain continues to linger.
- Physical therapy — If your back pain is ongoing or significantly impacting your life, consulting a physical therapist is a good choice. Physical therapy can help you identify and address the underlying cause of your back pain, improving your overall long-term health.
Physical therapy for back pain when you cough
Physical therapy is a valuable treatment option for managing back pain when you cough. A physical therapist can use a wide variety of techniques to help alleviate your pain, improve your mobility and prevent future injuries, including:
- Manual therapy — Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques where your physical therapist manipulates your soft tissue and joints to help reduce pain and improve movement. This can help release tension in tight back muscles, making it easier to cough without discomfort.
- Acupuncture — Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain. It’s used to help improve blood flow and release tension in the muscles, which can be beneficial for managing back pain when you cough.
- Chiropractic care — Chiropractic care focuses on adjusting the spine to help improve its alignment and function. If your back pain is related to a misaligned spine or pinched nerve, chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate the pressure and reduce pain.
- Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises are designed to help strengthen the muscles that support your spine, improve your flexibility, and reduce pain. Your physical therapist can guide you through exercises that target your back and core muscles, helping you to better manage the pain when you cough.
REPAIR SI can provide you with the comprehensive care you need to find relief from back pain when you cough
At REPAIR SI, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with back pain, especially when something as simple as coughing causes you discomfort. Our team of skilled physical therapists is here to help. We provide personalized treatment plans designed to identify and target the root cause of your pain, using a wide range of effective techniques. With our compassionate care and expert guidance, we can help you manage your back pain and improve your overall well-being, so you can get back to feeling your best.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.