Can Alcohol Cause Back Pain?

While the link between alcohol and back pain has not been proven by the few studies existing on the topic, internet forums are full of people who complain of experiencing back pain only after a night of drinking. While moderate and infrequent drinking will not likely cause pain, there is sound reason to associate heavy drinking with back pain.

Alcohol is absorbed quickly into the body's blood stream. It bonds with red blood cells, causing a phenomenon known as "blood sludging." The clumping of red blood cells causes clogging of small blood vessels that deliver blood to the tissues of the body, such as muscles. All tissues of the body require unrestricted blood flow for optimal health, since blood delivers nutrients and oxygen.

Muscles deprived of oxygen become weak, because muscles use oxygen to convert glucose into energy for performing work. The muscles of the lower back do a large amount of work, even while you sit. They work with the stomach muscles to support the weight of the upper body. If they are weak, they will be strained by this demand, leading to aches and soreness.

Since alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it inhibits a hormone that regulates the frequency of urination, people who drink heavily are likely to urinate more often. Important nutrients like potassium end up becoming depleted in the body because they pass through the urine before being used. According to World Health Foods, potassium regulates how much and how often our muscles contract. With insufficient potassium available in the body, muscles are unable to contract (work) properly and become weak. The deprivation of nutrients and oxygen from muscles due to alcohol consumption can, therefore, cause back pain.

Kidney Pain Vs. Back Pain

It is important to know the difference between kidney and back pain, as kidney pain is an indicator of a medically serious condition. The kidneys sit below the rib cage and above the hips, to the left and right of the spine. This area is also a common site of back muscle pain.

Since alcohol affects the kidneys, it is important to consider them a potential source of your pain if it is associated with drinking. Kidney pain is distinguished by localized tenderness (painful to the touch) and changes in urine color and/or frequency. Usually, kidney pain is severe. Severe pain in this region could indicate a kidney stone or infection, and demands immediate medical attention.

For more information on kidney pain, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kidney-pain/MY00125.

There is sufficient scientific and experiential data to associate pain with alcohol consumption. Tracking your pain patterns is an important part of back pain management; be aware of how frequently your pain coincides with drinking. For in-depth information on how alcohol affects various body systems, refer to http://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/ETOHBIOFx.htm.