Sciatica refers to pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through the buttocks and into the legs. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including lower back pain, hip pain, numbness or tingling, and muscle weakness. One question many people with sciatica have is whether this condition can also lead to bowel or pooping problems. Below we will explore the connection between sciatica and trouble pooping.
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest single nerve in the human body. It controls many of the muscles in the legs and provides sensation to the thighs, legs, and feet. Sciatica refers to irritation or compression of this important nerve, which leads to the characteristic symptoms of radiating pain from the low back into the buttocks and down one or both legs.
Some common causes of sciatica include:
– Herniated discs in the spine compressing part of the nerve
– Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) putting pressure on the nerve
– Spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebra over another) pinching the nerve
– Piriformis syndrome, when the piriformis muscle in the buttock spasms and irritates the sciatic nerve
– Injury or trauma to the low back or pelvis area affecting the sciatic nerve
Sciatica can be an acute condition where symptoms flare up suddenly, or it can be a chronic, ongoing issue. The pain and other symptoms are typically felt along the path of the sciatic nerve, along the back of the thigh and down the leg.
Can Sciatica Lead to Bowel or Bladder Problems?
For the most part, sciatica affects the sensory and motor functions of the legs, such as causing pain, numbness, and weakness from the buttocks down the back of the leg. However, in some cases, sciatica can also affect the bladder and bowel functions.
The sciatic nerve branches off into smaller nerves that contribute to controlling the bladder and bowel. If these nerves get compressed or irritated, it can disrupt signals between the bowel, bladder and brain. This can make it difficult to control the urge to poop or urinate.
Some common bowel or bladder problems that may occur with sciatica include:
– Constipation or trouble pooping – Compression of the nerves can slow down the muscular contractions of the colon needed for a bowel movement.
– Diarrhea – Some people have looser stools or diarrhea as a reaction to constipation caused by sciatica.
– Fecal incontinence – Nerve irritation can cause a loss of control of bowel movements.
– Bladder incontinence – Sciatica can make it harder to control the release of urine, potentially leading to leakage.
– Sensation of incomplete bowel movements – You may feel like you can’t completely empty the bowels.
So in summary, while sciatica primarily impacts the legs, it can also contribute to pooping and bladder problems in some cases when it affects the nerves supplying these areas. Any loss of bowel or bladder control should be evaluated by a doctor.
Why Does Sciatica Cause Constipation?
There are a few reasons why sciatic nerve pain can potentially lead to trouble pooping, and especially constipation:
– Slowed motility of the colon – The nerves affected by sciatica help control muscular contractions in the large intestine to move stool. Disrupted signals can slow this motility.
– Weakened abdominal muscles – Sciatica can cause weakened core muscles, including the abdominals. These muscles help support bowel movements.
– Medications – Medicines to treat sciatica pain, like narcotics, can have constipation as a side effect.
– Reduced activity – Being less active due to sciatica pain can slow the movement of stool through the colon.
– Stress on the body – Chronic pain takes a toll and alters nerves and muscle function. This stress can affect the bowel.
– Changes in bathroom habits – People with sciatica may wait longer to poop to avoid pain from sitting, which can lead to constipation.
So in a variety of ways, sciatica puts stress on the body that can make you more likely to get backed up, have difficulty going to the bathroom, and experience constipation. Along with pain medications, changes in nerve signaling and reduced mobility play major roles.
Sciatica Constipation Treatment
If your sciatica is leading to constipation or other bowel problems, there are some things you can try for relief:
– Heat or ice packs – This helps reduce spasms and muscle tension that may be slowing bowel function. Apply to the lower back or abdomen.
– Light stretches and exercise – This assists with nerve and muscle activity in the abdomen and low back. Avoid aggravating sciatic pain.
– More dietary fiber – Fiber helps add bulk and moisture to stool to ease passage. Try fruits, veggies, whole grains, prunes.
– Increased fluids – Drink more water and non-caffeinated fluids to prevent dehydration and keep your digestive system moving.
– Stool softeners or laxatives – Osmotic laxatives like Miralax or stimulant laxatives can help with stubborn constipation if used carefully.
– Pelvic rocking – Rocking your pelvis back and forth while on your hands and knees can help stimulate a bowel movement.
– Massaging the abdomen – Lightly massaging your abdomen in a clockwise motion can help stimulate the bowels if constipation is related to abdominal weakness.
– Acupuncture – Acupuncture is proven to help relieve constipation for some people, likely by increasing blood flow.
– Avoid straining – Straining to pass stool can make sciatica pain worse. Use proper remedies to make bowel movements easier.
– Check side effects of medicines – If constipation persists, talk to your doctor about adjusting medications that may contribute to the problem.
Getting an accurate sciatica diagnosis from your doctor is important, as other conditions like spinal stenosis can cause similar symptoms. They can help develop a tailored treatment plan for both sciatic nerve pain relief and bowel trouble.
When to See a Doctor
Mild or temporary bowel issues related to sciatica often resolve once the underlying nerve pain is better controlled. However, see a doctor if you experience:
– No improvement in constipation, diarrhea or incontinence after 1-2 weeks
– Significant weight loss due to poor appetite or bowel changes
– Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
– Blood in the stool
– Unexplained diarrhea lasting more than 2-3 days
– Dizziness, fever, vomiting or other concerning symptoms
– Bowel leakage or dark stools – sign of fecal impaction
Severe bowel problems with sciatica need medical attention to check for complications. Call your doctor sooner if bowel symptoms are disrupting your daily activities.
Can a Pinched Sciatic Nerve Cause Diarrhea?
It is less common, but irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve can potentially lead to looser stools or diarrhea in some people. Here’s why:
– Spasms of the colon – A pinched sciatic nerve can make the muscles of the colon spasm erratically, causing sudden urges to poop and looser stool.
– Abdominal muscle impairment – Weakness of the core muscles may make it difficult to hold in stool.
– Medications – Some pain medications, muscle relaxers, or steroids to treat sciatica can cause diarrhea.
– Strange nerve signals – Pressure on the nerve can confuse signals between the brain and bowel, leading to unexpected urges and diarrhea episodes.
– Stress reaction – The body’s stress response to chronic pain can speed up the colon’s motility.
– Change in bathroom habits – People with sciatica pain may rush to use the toilet when they have an urge, leading to looser stools.
So while constipation is the most common symptom, diarrhea or loose, urgent stools can also happen if the pinched nerve affects the colon and anus sphincter muscles. Keeping a symptom diary helps identify whether diarrhea correlates with flare-ups of sciatica.
Can Sciatica Cause Pain When Pooping?
Passing stool puts pressure on the lower back, buttocks and pelvic floor muscles which can absolutely aggravate sciatic nerve pain in some people. Here are some reasons straining to poop can cause sciatica pain:
– Tensing the piriformis – The piriformis muscle in the butt, which commonly contributes to sciatica when tight or spasming, has to contract to allow defecation.
– Pressure on the spine – Bearing down to poop increases pressure inside the low back and pelvis against sensitive nerves.
– Irritation of pelvic floor – Constipation and straining can inflame nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor, which are connected to the sciatic nerve.
– Aggravation of hemorrhoids – Straining when constipated can worsen hemorrhoids, causing rectal pain.
– Muscle tension – Pooping causes the butt and leg muscles to tense up, which can increase sciatica symptoms.
Sitting on the toilet to poop for a long time can also compress the sciatic nerve and lead to numbness or painful cramping. The best way to avoid pain is to treat the constipation and straining caused by sciatica. Gentle exercises can also help relax the muscles involved in using the bathroom.
Does Sciatica Cause Pain After Pooping?
It’s very common for sciatica to flare up and cause worsening pain for a period of time after having a bowel movement. Here are some reasons pooping often leaves sciatica patients sore afterward:
– Sitting to poop – Sitting on the toilet compresses the nerve roots in the lower spine, which can increase symptoms.
– Muscle strain – Moving the bowels requires contracted muscles in the core, pelvis and down the legs, which are already tender with sciatica.
– Increased inflammation – Bowel movements can briefly increase inflammation around the sciatic nerve, leading to radiating pain down the leg afterward..
– Squatting discomfort – Squatting over the toilet, sometimes done to ease constipation, can also put tension on the lower back and compressed nerves.
– Abdominal discomfort – Pooping may leave behind soreness or cramping in the abdomen, which is processed by the sciatic nerve.
– Poor posture – Slouching or leaning due to pain while pooping can exacerbate the spine and nerve compression.
Sitting to use the toilet also reduces circulation to the lower half of the body, which allows fluid to pool and put more pressure on the sciatic nerve, worsening symptoms after bowel movements.
Best Pooping Positions with Sciatica
Because pooping and sitting on the toilet both commonly aggravate sciatica pain, using positions that take pressure off the lower back and pelvis may help make passing stool more comfortable. Recommended positions include:
– **Squat** – Squatting opens up the anorectal angle and mimics a natural pooping posture. Use a small bench to rest your feet on to support a deep squat.
– **Leaning forward** – Sit on the toilet and lean fully forward to open up the pelvis and take pressure off the spine. Rest your arms on your knees or a stool.
– **Reverse sit** – Sit backward on the toilet facing the tank to spread the buttocks better. Use handles to hold yourself in place if needed.
– **Side sit** – Sitting sideways on the toilet seat can relieve pressure on one side of the pelvis and buttock where sciatic pain concentrates.
– **Lateral tilt** – Lean slightly to one side while sitting to take pressure off the side where symptoms are worse.
Pooping positions that avoid sitting for long periods can make passing stool easier and lessen post-poop soreness from sciatica. A squat stool with handles or modesty screens can provide helpful support. Check with your physical therapist for advice on ideal pooping postures.
Exercises to Help Pooping with Sciatica
Doing targeted exercises that gently stretch and strengthen the core muscles involved in pooping can assist with bowel movements and make going number two easier for people with sciatica. Useful exercises include:
– **Knee lifts** – Lay on your back with legs out straight. Lift one knee toward your chest at a time. Repeat 10 times per side. Help relax tight hips.
– **Pelvic tilts** – On your back, tilt your pelvis upwards by pressing your low back flat. Hold 5 seconds then relax. Repeat 10 times. Helps pooping muscles.
– **Cats and dogs** – On hands and knees, round your spine up like a cat and then arch it down like a dog. Repeat 5 times slowly. Also aids pooping mechanics.
– **Knees to chest** – Hug both knees into your chest together while lying on your back. Hold for 20 seconds. Relieves back stiffness.
– **Straight leg raises** – Lying on your back, lift each leg up about 1 foot off the ground while keeping the knee straight. Do 10 repetitions per leg. Helps stretch hips and pelvis.
– ** bridges** – With shoulders on floor, lift your hips up into a bridge and hold 5 seconds. Lower down. Complete 10 bridges. Strengthens glutes and abs.
Do these strengthening and stretching exercises gently and stop if they significantly worsen sciatica pain. Proper exercise helps counter the muscle weakness contributing to constipation.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional trouble pooping from sciatica often resolves on its own with conservative treatment. However, see a doctor promptly if you have:
– No improvement after 1-2 weeks of self-care
– Increasing problems controlling bowel movements
– Blood in stool or dark, tarry stools
– Persistent diarrhea lasting more than 2-3 days
– Fever, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
– Difficulty passing gas out of the rectum
– Bowel leakage or very loose stools
– Weight loss or poor appetite due to bowel issues
Seeking medical treatment is recommended if you experience severe or worsening bowel symptoms along with sciatica. Call your doctor sooner if problems pooping are disrupting daily life.
Conclusion
Sciatica can certainly contribute to difficulty pooping and bowel problems like constipation, diarrhea, and pain or discomfort when trying to go number two. Sitting on the toilet tends to aggravate sciatic nerve pain, due to increased pressure on the lower spine, pelvis and irritated nerves.
Gentle stretching exercises combined with remedies for constipation and smart pooping postures can help relieve the bowel troubles often accompanying sciatic nerve pain. However, worsening bowel control issues or severe symptoms lasting more than 1-2 weeks warrants medical evaluation for proper management. With a comprehensive treatment plan addressing both nerve pain and bowel dysfunction, most patients can find relief.