Back pain, which affects millions of people worldwide, reveals health problems that go beyond muscle strain or poor posture.
Experts emphasize that dealing with back pain should not be limited to painkillers, as some cases may be related to chronic or serious diseases that require early diagnosis.
Professor Zambelli Pinto, a musculoskeletal expert at the University of Technology Sydney, said: "Treating chronic back pain is not just about the spine, but requires understanding the relationship between the back and the rest of the body."
The following are some of the most common health conditions that may manifest as back pain:
Researchers have discovered a link between gut health and the spine, known as the "gut-spine axis," a network that connects the gut microbiome to the immune system and inflammation levels in the body.
An imbalance of beneficial bacteria, due to stress, poor nutrition, or overuse of antibiotics, leads to increased intestinal permeability, allowing harmful substances to leak into the bloodstream, causing inflammation that may affect the nerves, joints, and spine.
Certain digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, are also associated with an increased likelihood of developing back pain.
A study of nearly 7,000 people showed that pro-inflammatory diets increase the risk of back pain by 32%.
Conversely, anti-inflammatory diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, help support back health and reduce inflammation.
Although back pain is often associated with muscle strain, prolonged back pain can be a warning sign of pancreatic cancer, one of the most dangerous types of cancer.
The disease is difficult to detect early due to the lack of symptoms, but persistent back pain is a sign that warrants attention, especially if it is not related to physical exertion or a clear injury.
Dr. Jerry Cobbs, medical director of the Proton Therapy Center, said that the pancreas's deep location within the abdomen can cause pain to radiate to the back, and is often a mild, persistent pain rather than a sharp one.
He added that ignoring unexplained pain could lead to a delay in diagnosis, stressing the importance of seeing a doctor if symptoms persist.
Heart disease symptoms are not limited to chest pain or shortness of breath, as heart problems may sometimes manifest as back pain, especially in women, the elderly, and diabetics.
Dr. Oliver Guttmann, a consultant cardiologist at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, explained that some cases of angina can cause back pain because the heart and back share some nerve pathways.
He pointed out that heart-related pain often increases with exertion, is accompanied by sweating or shortness of breath, and decreases with rest, which are signs that require urgent medical evaluation.
Another serious condition associated with back pain is an aortic aneurysm, a condition in which there is a weakening and bulging of the wall of the aorta.
This stretching may manifest as a sudden, sharp pain in the back, especially if accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, or pain extending to the arm and jaw.
Doctors confirm that this is an emergency and requires immediate medical intervention.
Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
In women, lower back pain may be related to weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles responsible for supporting the bladder, uterus, and intestines.
Besides causing urinary incontinence, constipation, or pain during intercourse, weakness in these muscles may lead to postural problems and increased pressure on the spine.
Dr. Ariana Mitropoulos, a clinical specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard University, explains that many people are unaware of the connection between pelvic floor muscles and back pain.
She recommends practicing pelvic floor strengthening exercises, by repeatedly tightening and relaxing the muscles, to help relieve pain and improve spinal support.
