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Bad posture has negative effects on our body, causing pain in the neck and back. Therefore, in this article, we will see if bad posture can cause abdominal pain.
Bad posture can cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as acid reflux and other health problems. The more you lean forward, the more your internal organs will compress, including the gastrointestinal tract. This constriction of the abdomen can cause symptoms of gastrointestinal upset and even acid reflux.
However, before I answer the question “can bad posture cause abdominal pain?”, let us first look at abdominal pain, types, and causes of abdominal pain.
What is Abdominal Pain?
Abdominal pain is the pain that occurs in the area between the chest and the pelvic areas. It can be very painful. Furthermore, inflammation or diseases that affect the organs of the abdomen can cause abdominal pain. The main organs located in the abdomen include the intestines (small and large), size, appendix (part of the large intestine), spleen, stomach, gallbladder, liver, pancreas, viral infections. , bacteria or parasites that affect the stomach and intestines can also cause severe abdominal pain.
Types of Abdominal Pain
Localized pain is limited to an area of the abdomen. This type of pain is often the result of problems in a particular organ. Stomach ulcers which are open sores in the inner lining of the stomach are the most common cause of localized pain.
Cramp-like pain may be associated with diarrhea, constipation, swelling or flatulence. In women, it can be associated with periods, spontaneous abortions or complications in the female reproductive organs. This pain comes and goes and can go away by itself without treatment.
Colon pain is a symptom of more serious conditions, such as gallstones or kidney stones. This pain appears suddenly and may resemble severe muscle spasm.
Causes of Stomach Pain
There are many causes of abdominal pain. However, common causes are infection, abnormal growth, swelling, obstruction, and intestinal pain.
Bacteria can enter into your abdomen through infections in the throat, intestines, and blood. These bacteria can cause abdominal pain. Menstrual cramps are also a potential source of low abdominal pain. However, most of the time, they cause pelvic pain.
Furthermore, bad posture can be a cause of abdominal pain. Continue reading to know how bad posture can cause abdominal pain.
Other common causes of abdominal pain include:
- Gastroenteritis(stomach flu)
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Stress
- Acid reflux (when stomach contents return to the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms)
Some diseases that harm the digestive system can provoke chronic abdominal pain include:
- Lactose intolerance (inability to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products)
- Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease)
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon (a disorder that causes abdominal pain, cramping and changes in stool)
Other causes of severe abdominal pain are:
- Gallbladder stones (called gallstones)
- Organ rupture or near rupture (such as broken appendix or appendicitis)
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
Effects of Bad Posture on the Stomach
The effects of bad posture on the body can cause many problems, such as back pain, chest pain, and abdominal pain.
Our general behavior while sitting, whether we are eating or working, is often practiced without thinking or paying attention. Bad posture has physical effects on the back and spine as we know it, but it can also have effects on the stomach and cause pain. It affects the optimal functioning of the intestine.
Although digestive health problems can be caused by a wide variety of factors, Bad posture can contribute to abdominal problems such as acid reflux or heartburn. Perhaps discomfort and persistent swelling after lunch do not depend so much on what you eat, but on how you feel when you eat it.
Can bad posture cause abdominal pain: Read on for more information
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Poor posture Effects on the Stomach Pain
Bad posture can make digestion difficult. When you slouch, the space in the abdomen reduces, exerting excessive pressure on the back and stomach. This compresses the internal organs in the stomach and makes digestion difficult. For more efficient digestion, there should be enough space for your stomach and intestines to function.
In addition, poor posture can trigger heartburn and acid reflux which can force stomach acid in the wrong direction. Bad posture is not healthy for the stomach, particularly when the stomach is trying to digest food. Bad posture can delay digestion. In addition, poor digestion can lead to other bodily problems.
How Can Bad Posture Cause Abdominal Pain?
If you slouch your upper back, you are prone to have reflux. On the other hand, when you sag the lower back, you will experience bloating after a meal. In any case, this can only lead to digestion problems.
Furthermore, slouching can affect the ability of our diaphragm to function. The diaphragm is a muscle that helps us breathe.
Firstly, the diaphragm assists the contractions that move food through the esophagus. The esophagus crosses right through the muscular part of the diaphragm. Every time the diaphragm contracts, it lets the food pass and blocks stomach acid from rising into the mouth. If there is excessive tension or contraction in the diaphragm due to bad posture, this can have an effect on this mechanism and cause acid reflux.
Can bad posture cause abdominal pain: Read on for more information
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Secondly, the diaphragm performs a role in peristalsis, which is the passage of food through the intestine. The vagus nerve controls this movement from the brainstem to the diaphragm in the intestine. If we press the diaphragm while we slouch, it can affect the nerve signals that pass through it and slow it down.
Third, the vagus nerve stimulates the creation of hydrochloric acid that affects the way we digest food in the stomach. When this is disturbed, food can remain in the stomach for long. This causes unpleasant symptoms such as gas, bloating and constipation.
Finally, the nervous system, whose central route is the spine, is closely related to the nerve plexus of the intestine. So, if there is tension in the spine and central nervous system, it can also put tension in the intestine.
So How Does Bad Posture Really Cause Abdominal Pain?
As mentioned earlier, bad posture causes acid reflux. Common symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn and regurgitation. Heartburn is a pain or discomfort that can go from the stomach or abdomen to the chest, or even to the throat. Regurgitation is a bitter taste in the throat or mouth.
The pain you feel in your stomach can be the result of acid reflux and indigestion, which is one of the effects of bad posture in the body.
Therefore, part of the pain we feel in the abdomen can be attributed to the effects of bad posture in the stomach.
Correcting your posture helps your body to efficiently process food. Seeing your chiropractor is an added advantage.
Can bad posture cause abdominal pain: Read on for more information
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Suggestions for Gut-Friendly Posture
- Take Regular Breaks in Your Day if You are in the Office.
- Get Your Desk Sorted.
- Use your Training to Promote Better Posture.
- Mindful eating.
- Practice Better Breathing.
- Book a Posture Evaluation.
- Try exercises to improve posture and space in the abdomen
Conclusion And Recommendation
Bad posture can cause abdominal pain and it can be very uncomfortable. It is necessary to work in an upright posture to reduce the effects of poor posture on the stomach.
If you experience bloating, discomfort, constipation, IBS, acid reflux or excess gas after eating, the next time you sit down to eat, be very careful with the way you treat your posture and, in turn, your diaphragm.
If possible, keep your legs at a more open angle, rather than a full right angle with the spine. This is better because it opens up more space for the intestine.
Also, try to gentle yoga stretches shortly after eating to mobilize and lengthen your intestines. Also, drink lots of water and eat lots of fiber to keep your digestive system moving!
If you continue to have recurring stomach upset, consult your doctor for proper examination and treatment.
