Does IBS Cause Back Pain?

Byscott

Updated May 17, 2025

The gut-spine connection runs deeper than you might expect

While IBS isn’t classified as a musculoskeletal disorder, it can absolutely contribute to discomfort in nearby areas—especially the lower back. Here’s the thing: your digestive organs and your back muscles live in close quarters. When your gut is irritated, inflamed, or under pressure, your surrounding tissues often feel the effects.

One theory is that visceral hypersensitivity (the heightened pain sensitivity often seen in people with IBS) can extend to nearby nerve pathways. So while your colon may be the original troublemaker, your body might interpret that discomfort more broadly, including in the back. Add in stress or pelvic floor tension (both common in IBS), and it’s not hard to see why that achy sensation might linger near your spine.

How gas, bloating, and constipation all play a role

If you’ve ever been doubled over with trapped gas, you know it’s not a localized pain. IBS-C (constipation-predominant IBS) is notorious for creating pressure and distension that radiates into the back. The longer your intestines stay sluggish, the more likely your muscles are to overcompensate and tense up.

That tension doesn’t just stay in your belly. Core muscles, lower back muscles, and even hip stabilizers can all get involved. So when someone with IBS-C says their whole torso feels tight or achy, it’s not just in their head. There’s a real physical domino effect at play.

Stress and posture can make symptoms worse

IBS and stress are deeply intertwined—stress can trigger flare-ups, and flare-ups can cause more stress. But chronic stress also leads to physical habits that don’t help: clenched muscles, shallow breathing, hunching over to guard your gut. Over time, these postural patterns can contribute to nagging back pain.

When we tense up from discomfort or anxiety, the back often bears the brunt. And when gut issues are ongoing, that tension becomes a feedback loop. Addressing back pain may require not just soothing the digestive system, but also paying attention to posture, movement, and nervous system regulation.

Getting the right kind of support matters

If you’re dealing with both IBS and back pain, it’s worth tracking whether the symptoms flare together. Pain that worsens after eating, shifts with bowel movements, or eases with gas relief may have a digestive origin. That’s a clue your gut is driving the discomfort, not a pulled muscle or spine issue.

That said, don’t self-diagnose everything as IBS-related. It’s important to rule out other conditions like kidney infections, endometriosis, or inflammatory bowel disease, all of which can mimic IBS and cause referred pain in the back. A healthcare provider can help tease out the cause.

You may also benefit from a more holistic management plan—something that goes beyond fiber supplements or avoiding trigger foods. Gentle movement, breathwork, pelvic floor therapy, and even cognitive behavioral tools can all make a meaningful difference in how your body responds to IBS-related stress and tension.

The Takeaway

IBS doesn’t technically cause back pain—but it can absolutely contribute to it. When your digestive system is off, your whole body feels it. That’s especially true in the lower back, where pressure, nerve sensitivity, and muscle tension tend to show up.

Tuning into your symptoms as a whole—not just the gut piece—can help you get a more complete picture of what’s going on. And that might mean finding relief in places you didn’t expect.