Sometimes, a simple sneeze can leave you paralyzed as an unexpected pain spasm grips your back. You might be wondering what the relationship is between a sneeze and back pain as you attempt to make sense of what just transpired.
On occasion, a strong sneeze can actually cause pain due to its sudden and awkward movement. In other instances, sneezing can bring on a painful symptom of a back muscle or nerve condition that already exists.
What exactly can cause back pain when you sneeze will be examined in greater detail in this article, along with steps you can take to safeguard your back.
Table of Contents
Causes of Back Pain When You Sneeze
Herniated Disc
Tough, spongy discs are located between your vertebrae, the collection of bones that make up your spine and protect your spinal cord. A spinal disc has a hard exterior and a soft interior.
When the soft, jelly-like material inside the disc pushes through a hole in the outside and presses against nearby nerves or the spinal cord itself, it ruptures or herniates.
Even though it doesn’t always hurt, a herniated disc can be treated. If you have a herniated disc, you might be able to function normally throughout the day. The inner disc material, however, may press more forcefully against a nerve as a result of a cough, sneeze, or other action, resulting in an instantaneous attack of pain.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain, sometimes also called a “pulled muscle,” is a stretch or tear in a muscle. It usually results from a specific action, such as twisting or lifting, or from overworking your muscles during a workout.
Moving, bending, or turning your abdomen may hurt if you have a pulled muscle in your back. Additionally, sneezing can strain your back muscles, resulting in a painful spasm. In some instances, a sneeze that is particularly forceful can actually strain a muscle.
Vertebral Compression Fracture
When a portion of your vertebra collapses, it causes a vertebral compression fracture (VCF). It is the most frequent fracture in people with osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to deteriorate, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Sneezing or even just a few flights of stairs can trigger a VCF in people with severe osteoporosis. Typically, a fall or other type of trauma is required to cause this type of vertebral fracture in people with mild or moderate osteoporosis.
Sciatica
Your body’s longest and widest nerve is the sciatic nerve. It descends through your pelvis, and branches, and continues down each leg from your lower spine.
Sciatica is the medical term for damage to the sciatic nerve. Along with back pain, it frequently results in leg pain. This tough but flimsy nerve can be compressed by a sudden sneeze, which can result in shooting pains and numbness down one or both legs.
When sciatica symptoms get worse with a sneeze, you may have a serious herniated disc that needs to be treated.
Can Sneezing Cause Back Pain?
Almost every upper body movement you make involves your back. Your spine and back muscles need to function properly for various activities, including lifting, reaching, bending, turning, playing sports, and even just sitting and standing.
The muscles and spine in your back are strong, but they are also prone to sprains and other injuries. You’ve probably overexerted yourself while raking leaves or lifting something too heavy at some point and experienced back pain.
Back pain that lasts for a few seconds or much longer can also be brought on by sudden awkward movements, such as a forceful sneeze. Furthermore, not just your back muscles are in danger. Your intercostal muscles—those between your ribs—and diaphragm contract when you sneeze to help push air out of your lungs.
Your chest muscles might get sore from a hard sneeze. Furthermore, if your back muscles aren’t prepared for an unexpected sneeze, the unexpected tensing of these muscles and awkward movement during a sneeze can result in a spasm, an uncontrollable and frequently painful contraction of one or more muscles.
Similar to the damage that can result in the neck from whiplash, those same quick and forceful movements of a big sneeze can also harm ligaments, nerves, and the discs between your vertebrae. While a herniated disc usually develops over time as a result of constant wear and tear, it is possible for a disc to bulge outward as a result of a single severe strain.
Tips to Avoid Back Pain When Sneezing
Keep Your Back Arched
In response to a cough or sneeze, the majority of people immediately hunch forward and round their backs. However, doing this is among the worst things you can do. Keep your back in its natural arch when you sneeze to lessen pressure on the spinal discs and avoid pain.
Support Yourself
Placing your hand down on a surface, such as a desk or a ledge, will help you stop coughing or sneezing as it starts. This lessens the spine’s compressive effects.
Rest
You don’t have to spend weeks in bed to give your back a break. It simply entails refraining from engaging in activities that aggravate or cause your back pain. In fact, if you spend too much time in bed, your back pain might get worse.
Never lie down for longer than a few hours at a time or for more than two days to get the most benefits. Put a pillow between your knees if you’re lying on your side or under them if you’re on your back to stay comfortable and relieve pressure on the discs and muscles.
Lumbar Chair Support
The lower spine’s naturally curved section is known as the lumbar. Lower back pain results from the lumbar being forced outward, which frequently happens when we cough or sneeze.
Try a lumbar chair support to stop this from occurring and stop chronic back pain. The lower back is less stressed, and pain and stiffness are avoided thanks to these cushions. Even the bad posture that might be the cause of your back problems is corrected with continued use.
Back Brace
A lower back brace can aid in the relief of lower back pain brought on by sprains and strains, speed up the healing process after an injury, ease chronic pain or muscle spasms, encourage proper posture, and guard against future injuries. The brace stabilizes your back and relieves the stress on your spine
A good back brace can provide immediate and long-lasting results if you frequently experience back pain when coughing or sneezing. You can pick from a variety of back braces. Choose the option that will allow you to work, exercise, and lead a normal life without sacrificing comfort.
Cold Therapy
A traditional remedy for pain and inflammation is the application of ice. By narrowing the blood vessels and contracting the muscles, cold therapy, also referred to as cryotherapy, reduces pain signals and swelling.
When your back is hurting right now, or as a preventative measure after exercising, coughing, or sneezing, you can apply ice to it. Apply an ice pack for fifteen to thirty minutes at a time, as necessary, for the best results.
Just be careful not to use ice on muscle spasms or knots since cold temperatures exacerbate these types of pain.
The Bottom Line
If you have back problems, you probably already know that seemingly unrelated activities like coughing, sneezing, tripping over something while walking, etc. can cause back pain.
Undiagnosed back conditions may be present if a sneeze suddenly results in a painful spasm or more persistent back pain.
Make sure to follow up with your doctor to determine the cause of the issue if the pain continues or if you experience difficulty performing your daily activities. Knowing what caused your back pain could help you avoid experiencing it again the next time your nose tickles.