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Back pain after drinking alcohol? That can be confusing and concerning. Your mind could be racing with questions. Why the pain? Is it a direct effect of alcohol? Could it be signaling something more serious?

A review found an association between chronic lower back pain and alcohol consumption dependence. Common scenarios of post-alcohol back discomfort include dehydration and nerve aggravation.

In this article, you will understand the reasons behind alcohol-related back pain. We will cover how alcohol impacts the body, effective remedies, and ways to prevent future episodes. This information will help you make informed decisions for healthier habits.

If you or your loved ones struggle with alcohol use, please get in touch with Nirvana Recovery for immediate assistance.

How Alcohol Consumption is Linked to Back Pain

Alcohol affects different parts of the body, causing back discomfort. Here’s an in-depth look at the connection between alcohol and back pain:

Alcohol’s Effects on Muscle and Joint Health

Vitamin D contributes to calcium absorption, which helps the muscles contract. Alcohol causes an imbalance of vitamins and minerals, disrupting calcium absorption. It’s why you may experience muscle tension. Over time, alcohol can damage the liver. Thus, vitamin D activation becomes impaired, further reducing calcium absorption.

Alcohol also disrupts the body’s water regulation. That’s why you may urinate unusually more after drinking. You’ll become dehydrated, making your joints and other connective tissues weak and unable to cushion. Thus, muscles become stiff, and movement becomes painful.

A study suggests that alcohol can increase the production of molecules that promote inflammation.

Alcohol and Kidney Health

Here’s what you need to know about your kidneys and their link to alcohol and back pain:

Your kidneys handle your body’s detox, filtering waste and excess fluids from your blood. Alcohol is one of these substances; thus, heavy drinking can strain the kidneys, making them less efficient.
Your liver helps maintain a certain rate of blood flow to your kidneys for efficient filtration. Excessive drinking can damage the liver, making it unable to maintain this balance. This leaves your kidneys with more work.
Your kidneys balance fluids and electrolytes in your body. Alcohol impairs this function, causing dehydration. In turn, dehydration disrupts the normal functioning of the kidneys.
Alcohol-related dehydration can lead to the development of kidney stones. People who already have stones can experience kidney pain, which can manifest as back pain.

Postural Issues During Intoxication

Poor sleeping posture over long periods exerts pressure on the lower back. It strains supporting ligaments and muscles by affecting your natural spinal alignment. Proper spinal alignment reduces stress on your back muscles by distributing your body’s weight equally.

Your core muscles support the spine. The relaxing effect of alcohol hinders your core muscles from providing the support your spine needs. Awkward sleeping positions can cause spinal misalignment and strain, leading to discomfort and pain.

Common Types of Back Pain Associated with Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can cause two major types of back pain. Let’s have a look at them and their possible causes.

Lower Back Pain (Kidney-related)

Lower back pain affects the area above the buttocks and below the ribcage. Alcohol consumption is associated with this type of pain for the following reasons:

Alcohol increases urine production. The filtration, reabsorption, and secretion processes involved in the formation of urine by the kidney are much work. The more alcohol you drink, the harder your kidneys have to work to produce urine. At some point, this work becomes strenuous, and your kidneys lose their efficiency.
Urinating frequently when drinking alcohol without replacing the lost fluid can cause dehydration. An imbalance in body fluids and electrolytes can further worsen dehydration.
When dehydrated, bacteria can easily reach the kidneys and cause kidney infection. Dehydration can also increase the amount of minerals, acids, and substances like sodium or calcium in your urine. When your body has insufficient liquid to drain these substances effectively, they stick together to form “stones.”

Upper and Mid-Back Pain (Muscular)

Upper and mid-back pain affects the space between the bottom of the rib cage and the base of the neck. Here’s how alcohol can cause this type of pain:

The liver is responsible for clearing alcohol and lactic acid from the body. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the levels of lactic acid and strains the liver. Lactic acid buildup can cause muscle cramps and fatigue.
Alcohol can cause musculoskeletal inflammation, leading to joint stiffness and pain.
Adequate hydration allows muscles to contract and relax easily. Dehydration results in muscle tension. Since alcohol can cause inflammation, it affects the proper functioning of muscles.

Why Does Alcohol Cause or Worsen Back Pain?

Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

Alcohol causes high fluid loss through urine, leading to dehydration, which can affect muscle function. Drinking also reduces blood flow to your muscles. As a result, your muscles lack enough oxygen and nutrients, making them susceptible to cramping. Dehydrated muscles also tire easily. This increases their likelihood of cramping, especially when you strain or overwork them.

Significant electrolytes include:

Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Magnesium
Chloride
Bicarbonates
Phosphate

Electrolytes play a significant role in sending and carrying electrical signals through muscles. A review indicates that poor nutrition, diarrhea, vomiting, and alcohol-induced diseases may cause electrolyte abnormalities in alcoholics. In turn, electrolyte imbalance can lead to muscle cramps, spasms, and weakness.

Inflammation from Alcohol Consumption

When you take alcohol in small amounts, the liver breaks it down to produce the following:

Acetaldehyde
Acetate

These byproducts are harmful and cause inflammation.

When you exceed the two standard alcoholic drinks limit, your body shifts to a backup system to help break down the alcohol further. Using the microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system (MEOS) produces free radicals, which cause gut inflammation.

Other toxins, including endotoxins and cytokines, can also go into your bloodstream. From there, they can increase pain sensitization and contribute to inflammation in different areas of the body. Thus, if you already experience back pain, inflammation can aggravate it. Alcohol can also worsen medical issues associated with high levels of inflammation. In turn, these medical conditions can increase back pain.

Kidney Strain and Alcohol Consumption

The kidney’s function is to filter the blood and secrete toxins. The body treats alcohol as a toxin and prioritizes its elimination. After being broken down in the liver and absorbed into the bloodstream, alcohol toxins are filtered out in the kidneys.

Excessive alcohol intake or consumption over a long period alters the structure and function of the kidneys. The glomerulus tissue, responsible for blood filtration, thickens. The kidney tubule, responsible for waste removal, enlarges.

Over time, these structural changes make the kidneys less efficient in the filtration of alcohol and other toxins from the blood. Their regulation of electrolytes and body fluids also weakens.

Kidney pain is one of the early signs of kidney damage. You may experience it as a dull ache in the lower back.

Identifying When Alcohol-Related Back Pain Is Serious

Warning Signs of Kidney Problems

Watch out for the following indicators of possible kidney problems:

Severe, Persistent Pain: Kidney pain can manifest as back pain. It can be caused by kidney infection, kidney cancer, or kidney stones. You should be concerned about the possibility of kidney pain when your back pain becomes severe and persistent.
Urinary Symptoms: Foamy urine or urinating more frequently can indicate kidney issues. You may notice that your urine has excess bubbles, which may be a sign of protein in the urine. Kidney disease can also increase the urge to urinate, especially at night.
Blood In Urine: Healthy kidneys filter waste and toxins from the blood, retaining blood cells in the body. However, damaged kidneys have ineffective filtration and may allow blood cells to “leak” out into the urine.

Indicators of Chronic Back Issues

Back pain related to posture or temporary discomfort doesn’t last. However, kidney stones cause waves of intense pain. Other kidney issues that cause recurring pain include:

Kidney Infection: Fever may accompany the back pain you experience. You may also have a burning sensation when urinating and develop a strong urge to urinate.
Polycystic Kidney Disease: It’s a genetic condition. Expanding cysts form inside your kidney and interfere with kidney function as they grow. You may experience recurring pain and a full feeling in the abdomen. You may also develop high blood pressure and have blood in your urine. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections may accompany this condition.

Effective Remedies for Back Pain After Drinking Alcohol

Immediate Relief Strategies

Here are strategies that offer immediate relief for alcohol-related back pain:

Hydrating helps cushion and keep your spinal discs flexible.
Gentle stretching relaxes tense muscles and engages core muscles, which support the spine, improving spinal stability.
Limited rest helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain. However, don’t spend too much time in bed, as it can worsen your back pain. Put pillows between your knees when lying on your side or under your knees when lying on your back.
When your back is inflamed, use ice to numb the pain. If you’re experiencing chronic back pain or muscle stiffness, use heating pads or have a hot bath to relax muscles and reduce stiffness.

Over-the-Counter Treatments and Medications

The following are over-the-counter treatments and medications for back pain:

Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) help reduce inflammation and muscle stiffness. They include naproxen sodium (e.g., Aleve), ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin and Advil), and aspirin (e.g., Bayer or St. Joseph).
Topical Pain Relievers: They’re applied to the skin, making them easy to use and less likely to cause side effects. They include topical NSAIDs, capsaicin, and lidocaine.
Muscle Relaxants: They’re prescription medications that treat muscle spasms and musculoskeletal pain. Use them with caution since some of them are controlled substances that can be addictive. Some common muscle relaxants include carisoprodol (e.g., Vanadom), dantrolene (e.g., Dantrium), and diazepam (e.g., Valium).

Natural Remedies and Lifestyle Adjustments

Here are natural remedies and lifestyle adjustments to relieve your back pain:

Gentle yoga poses to support your back and strengthen your muscles, reducing spinal strain.
Mindfulness to reduce stress and tension. It promotes relaxation as your stress levels decrease.
Massage therapy to promote relaxation. It relieves tension and eliminates toxins in the back muscles.
Hydration reduces muscle or joint inflammation and improves blood flow. It also promotes the production of synovial fluid, which keeps joint cartilages lubricated.
Include sources of vitamin K in your diet. It helps activate proteins that regulate calcium disposition, directing it away from soft tissues and to bones.

How to Prevent Alcohol-Related Back Pain

Moderate Alcohol Intake

Moderate alcohol intake lessens the workload of your liver and kidneys, enabling them to function optimally. Here are guidelines for responsible drinking that can help you minimize physical consequences:

Count your drinks to know when it’s time to slow down.
Set a limit and try to stick to it. The standard two drinks are a good place to start.
Pace your drinking. You can start with one standard drink per hour.
Avoid shots or drinking rounds, especially with people who drink a lot.
Avoid refilling your glass before it’s empty.
Alternate between alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.

Staying Hydrated While Drinking

Here are strategies for staying hydrating during and after alcohol consumption:

Drink plenty of water beforehand. This will help your body retain more water when you lose some through alcohol’s dehydrating effect.
Apply the 1-for-1 rule. Drink one glass of water for every alcoholic drink you take.
Take your shots with water. Some people use lime or coke to “chase” shots with. Water is a better alternative for proper hydration.
End your night with water. Even if you followed the above strategies, your body may still need more water to counter the dehydrating effect of alcohol.

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Posture Awareness and Sleep Positioning

The following are tips for healthy and safe sleeping after drinking:

Lie on your side, especially your left side. Place a pillow behind you to stop yourself from accidentally switching to a face-up position. In case you throw up, it’s easy to choke on your vomit when you’re lying on your back.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach, as it can strain your back.
Use a medium-firm pillow for your head to keep your spine aligned.
Sleep on a medium-firm mattress. A mattress that’s too soft will cause spinal misalignment; one that’s too firm can press uncomfortably on your hips and shoulders.

How Nirvana Can Help You Overcome Alcohol-Related Back Pain

Nirvana Recovery is committed to supporting healthy living and responsible alcohol consumption. We understand the physical and mental effects of alcohol, and we’re ready to help you achieve general well-being.

If your drinking is out of control, we’re happy to take recovery steps with you. Our medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications. We also offer counseling and evidence-based therapies to treat alcohol addiction. Our individual and group therapies help us understand your struggles and support each other in recovery.

Nirvana Recovery is your trusted ally in maintaining physical health. We’re happy when you’re able to enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Talk to our team at Nirvana Recovery today for professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there certain alcoholic drinks that are more likely to cause back pain?

Yes, there are. Alcoholic drinks with high ethanol content, like spirits, may cause more inflammation. In turn, inflammation causes or worsens back pain.

How does Nirvana support individuals dealing with alcohol-related back issues?

Nirvana Recovery supports individuals dealing with alcohol-related back issues by providing:

Medication-assisted treatment to help manage alcohol use or treat alcohol addiction.
Evidence-based therapies to help manage stress and promote responsible alcohol use. Addicted individuals can benefit from the long-term benefits of addiction treatment.
Group counseling to share with others who have similar challenges and promote mutual support.

Combined, these programs help prevent future cases of alcohol-related back issues.

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Back Pain After Drinking Alcohol: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention