Diverticulitis is an inflammatory condition caused by an overgrowth of bacteria colonizing the small pockets (diverticula) that develop along the lining of the colon. Several factors can contribute to developing diverticula, including aging, an inflammatory diet, lack of exercise, and use of pharmaceutical drugs such as NSAIDS and antibiotics.
Can Diverticulitis Cause Back Pain?
Along with the common symptoms, many diverticulitis patients report back pain. Understanding the connection between diverticulitis and back pain can help you better manage your symptoms when they arise.
Related symptoms of diverticulitis include:
- Abdominal discomfort (often left-sided)
- Cramps
- Pain
- Bloating
- Fever
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Changes to stool
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rectal bleeding
Causes and Symptoms of Back Pain with Diverticulitis
Back pain in diverticulitis patients may arise due to “radiating” abdominal pain. Constipation may also contribute to back pain driven by trapped gas. If the stool becomes backed up and a piece remains lodged in the colon, fecal impaction may cause extra pressure in the colon, which could be experienced as back pain.
What is Radiating Pain?
We feel physical pain through the nerves. However, because the nervous system runs all along the spine, pain messages can get confused and redirected, causing pain from one part of the body to be felt somewhere else.
In highly inflamed areas, pain can easily radiate and be ‘referred’ to areas in the vicinity, which explains why a diverticulitis flare may result in back pain.
How to manage Back Pain from Diverticulitis
Anti-inflammatory medication may help back pain temporarily but should be used in moderation as they may also exacerbate the problem. This is because these medications can disturb the microbiome of the digestive tract and interfere with the integrity of the intestinal lining. This may cause a relapse, perforation, and ulceration.
Back pain caused by diverticulitis may be further reduced with dietary adjustments, microbiome support, building abdominal strength, and hydration.
Reduce Inflammation through Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can support general gut health. Removing known inflammatory foods is the first place to start.
Inflammatory foods include:
- Highly processed foods
- Artificial additives, preservatives, colors, or flavor
- Deep-fried foods,
- Seed oils
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Sugar and sugar substitutes
- Unsoaked beans, grains, and legumes
- Unsoaked nuts
- Vegetables high in oxalates
High oxalate vegetables include spinach, almonds, beets, raspberries, dates, and cooked potatoes with skin. Low oxalate vegetables include cabbage, brussels sprouts, avocado, onion, fresh peas, and white potatoes.
Improve your Microbiome
The flora and fauna of the gut play a significant role in managing the whole living forest of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and pathogens. A healthy microbiome is crucial to the management of bad bacteria, which is the cause of diverticulitis.
You can support your microbiome with foods high in good gut bacteria such as sourdough bread, lacto-fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, miso, kombucha, apple cider vinegar, and foods with living cultures.
A diet high in prebiotics will help feed and encourage the growth of good bacteria. Antibiotics can destroy a lot of bacteria in the digestive tract so they should only be used in medical emergencies, if and when absolutely necessary.
Movement and Muscle Strength
Digestive health also relies on the internal movement of the gut. The food we eat is pushed through the gut in a process called peristalsis. Physical movement encourages the smooth flow of this internal movement.
Active movement may include:
- Hatha (body) yoga
- Pilates
- Tai-chi
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Dancing
- Sports such as tennis or squash
- Walking or hiking
- Wall climbing
If you find it hard to start moving due to back pain, passive movement therapies may help. These include bodywork, Thai massage, Feldenkrais, acupuncture, or shiatsu. The focus should be on strengthening your abdominal muscles and building core strength.
Hydration
Drinking gallons of water a day does not necessarily increase hydration. We need to balance salts and fluids. Herb teas, clean soups, broths, and high probiotic drinks such as kombucha, as well as a balanced intake of seasonal and organic fruits all contribute to hydration.
Mineral salts or electrolytes need to be included. Use good quality, mineral-rich salts in your cooking and take good quality electrolytes daily. Avoid sports drinks and electrolyte powders with flavors, artificial sweeteners, and colors. You can purchase clean electrolytes without any added flavor or taste.
Evinature’s Approach to Managing Diverticulitis and Back Pain
Researchers are currently investigating a curcumin and Coptis combination for diverticulitis patients who suffer lingering gut symptoms after an acute episode.
Both curcumin and coptis are reported to exert natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and improve tight junction expression. This means both coptis and curcumin may help improve gut barrier permeability – a driving force behind diverticulitis symptoms and episodes.
Coptis also includes an alkaloid compound called berberine, which encourages the production of butyrate – a short-chain fatty acid that plays a vital role in regulating the intestinal environment, strengthening the gut walls, and moderating gut inflammation.
If you’re interested in trying coptis and curcumin for diverticulitis, simply take our free online assessment to receive a plan tailored to your individual needs.
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