Why does my back shoulder blade hurt when I sneeze?

Ever felt a sudden pain in your spine after a sneeze? Medics caution not to take it lightly as there are chances of the spine becoming vulnerable to serious disorders like a slipped disc, hernia or in rare cases, paralysis of limbs.

By Jayasri Viswanathan:

Ever felt a sudden pain in your spine after a sneeze? Medics caution not to take it lightly as there are chances of the spine becoming vulnerable to serious disorders like a slipped disc, hernia or in rare cases, paralysis of limbs.A body pulverising sneeze, which makes body jerk as if on a take off mode may cause the spine to take the full impact of the shattering blow."If you get a sudden pain running down your spine, it means the sneeze has really struck hard," says Dr Ashish Shrivastav, Senior Neurosurgery consultant at B L Kapoor Memorial Hospital in New Delhi.Shrivastav explains that a sneeze jerk may precipitate a slip disc especially if any of the discs is on the verge of herniating."A strenuous sneezing attack can leave the body with back spasms and upper or lower back pain and can cause injury.Vigorous sneezing not only wracks the entire body, but the pressure can be so intense it may actually cause a weakened spinal disc to herniate. Sneezing aggravates already existent musculoskeletal strain and might increase back pain that resulted from a previous injury," explains Shrivastav.

A powerful sneeze creates a flutter around the spine discs and if sneezing results into a sudden pain in the back, it is best to avert a crisis by consulting a neurosurgeon, say experts.

Dr Suneel Kumar, Orthopaedic Surgeon agrees, "Forceful sneezing is particularly dangerous for the elderly and has been known to result in painful vertebral compression fractures.""This is when the bones of the spine become broken due to trauma," he adds.Medics say such types of cases are rare but advise caution to those already suffering from spinal injury.However, there are some precautions they can take to keep the situation from worsening.

"When a person suffers from slip disk the first aid treatment will likely include application of hot or cold packs, limited activity and basic pain relievers. As the condition improves, specific back-stretching or strengthening exercises may be suggested," advises Shrivastav.

Published On:

Nov 20, 2009

Causes of Back Pain When You Sneeze

A variety of muscle, nerve, and bone problems can be triggered or made worse by a sneeze.

Herniated Disc

The spine is made up of a stack of bones, called vertebrae, which surround the spinal cord. Between these sit tough, spongy discs that absorb shock and allow for simple movement. These discs are rough on the outside, but inside they contain a gel-like substance.

When this substance pushes through the exterior of the disc and presses against the surrounding nerve or the spinal cord itself, this is known as a herniated disc or ruptured disc. This condition can be treated and may not always cause pain, but can be debilitating when symptoms do present themselves. A sneeze or similar action could cause nerves to be even more compressed, causing even worse pain.

Muscle Strain

A pulled muscle or muscle strain occurs when the muscle is stretched or torn, usually as a result of some kind of activity. Twisting, lifting, or otherwise exerting your muscles is a common cause, but sneezing can also put pressure on the muscles and cause a spasm. This can cause pain when you move, bend, or turn your abdomen.

Vertebral Compression Fracture

A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurs when part of your vertebra collapses, which is especially common in people with the bone-thinning condition called osteoporosis. For people with serious forms of this condition, a sneeze can lead to VCF, while more mild cases would require something like a fall.

Sciatica

Your sciatic nerve is the widest, longest nerve in the human body, running from the lower spine down through the pelvis and branching out along each leg. When this nerve is damaged, it is known as sciatica, causing leg pain and also back pain. Sudden movements like sneezes can put pressure on the nerve, causing pain.

Back Pain from Sneezing

Almost any movement in the upper body involves your back, including lifting, reaching, bending, turning, playing sports, or even just sitting and standing. When the spine and back muscles don’t work properly, these actions can be difficult.

A sudden, awkward movement like a sneeze can trigger back pain in the same way that something like manual labor or a fall can, even though the movement lasts a split second. In addition to the back muscles, sneezing can also impact the chest muscles.

Protecting Your Back When Sneezing

If you feel a sneeze coming on, you may worry about your back, especially if you already suffer from back pain. One way to protect your back before sneezing is to stand up straight rather than slouching or sitting, as this reduces force on your spinal discs.

Some people believe there is an additional benefit to standing, leaning forward, and placing your hands on a solid structure like a table or counter. This further reduces pressure on the spine and back muscles. You can also stand against a wall with a cushion on your lower back.

When To See a Doctor

While back pain may seem fleeting, it is critical to seek treatment at the first sign of a problem to prevent the worsening of any issues.

Any existing back problems should be treated independently of these concerns by a chiropractor who can identify and treat the root cause of the issue. If you find yourself in pain only after a sneeze, you should visit a Jonesboro chiropractor to rule out any serious issues that could be causing the pain.

At AICA Jonesboro, our chiropractors work with a team of multidisciplinary specialists to diagnose and treat any back pain or injury. When you visit our office, we will develop a personalized treatment plan based on your exact needs and goals and help you implement it. Contact us today to schedule your first consultation and begin feeling relief from pain.

Ah-Choo! Sneezing is something we all do almost every day. But there are some people who get trouble on their back when they sneeze. Yes, I’m not kidding and it’s not funny too! This blogpost will reveal on what can cause back pain when you sneezing, and what you can do to protect your back.

What can cause back pain when you sneeze?

A voilent sneeze can trigger a variety of muscle, bone, and nerve problems, like:

Herniated disc

A sneeze, cough, or other action may cause the inner disc material to push against a nerve and spark a sudden pain.

Muscle strain

Sneezing can put excessive pressure on the muscles in your back and cause a spasm of pain.

Vertebral compression fracture (VCF)

For people with severe osteoporosis, a sneeze or simply climbing a few stairs can cause a VCF.

Sciatica

A sudden sneeze can put pressure on sciatic nerve and cause shooting pain and numbness down to one or both legs.

Should I hold my sneeze in?

A big NO! You could end up bursting your throat badly.

What to do if I have back pain while sneezing?

It’s difficult to ask to engage your core for every sneeze. 

Simple way to do is gently try and get back to a neutral sitting or standing position. If the pain persists beyond the sneeze, take note of where it is. You might also want to take it easy on that day and stay away from vigorous physical activities. See a doctor or physiotherapy for medical help if the symptoms never get better.

As usual, I hope you have learned something from this article that can help you in your life. Feel free to drop us a text if you have questions. Do check out our instagram page!.