I have osteoarthritis in my back. I am now having abdominal pain. ?

Question

My gastroenterologist seems to think this might be coming from my back pain. This seems crazy to me. Has anyone had anything similar to this?

Answer 1

I have had this problem before as well. I had problems with my sciatic nerve and it not only caused back pain, but pain in the buttocks and abdomen as well. The reason this could happen to some people is because in the back there are a large bundle of nerves, connective tissue, and organs in a very small area. Inflammation of the spine can put pressure on a nerve that travels to the abdomen, causing abdominal pain. Or inflammation or swelling of the connective tissue of the back can put pressure on the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, appendix, etc. And most people with pain in these organs can feel the pain in the back or abdomen or both.