Coffee has become a staple part of most people’s morning routine, there are those who can hardly face a day without it. But what if your regular morning coffee is contributing to your lower back pain?
The digestive system is often referred to as the second brain due to the effect your gut can have on the rest of your body. Everything you put in your mouth has an effect on your physiology. This is due to the nutrients in the food and the physical and hormonal effects that take place as it is being digested.
It is common knowledge that coffee has high levels of caffeine in it, it’s part of the reason why we love it so much. Caffeine is a strong stimulant the effects of which have been downplayed due to its prevalence in society, namely in coffee.
How does coffee affect back pain?
But the effects of caffeine can be quite profound, which is why it can contribute to your lower back pain.
Caffeine can affect your back pain in two ways:
- The stimulant effect in coffee can increase your stress levels, which in turn increases your cortisol levels. This hormone makes you tenser, less relaxed and thus in turn more susceptible to pain. It also can increase inflammation making any injuries or problem areas worse.
- The second effect comes about during the crash after the above. Your body cannot sustain high levels of cortisol production, so when it stops your body has a harder time dealing with stress, making you more sensitive to pain, thus your back pain appears worse.
Thankfully, there is a very simple test to see if this affects you, cut back on your coffee! Simply drop a cup or two a day, or switch to decaf, and see if your pain lessens at all during this period. It might also be worth trying to eat more fibre as this aids digestion and will improve your overall well-being.
If you are suffering from lower back pain and live in Wakefield, Bradford or Leeds then call Morley Chiropractic Clinic. Our lead chiropractor, Martin, has over 20 years’ of experience and has helped hundreds of patients with lower back pain. To book an appointment call us on 0113 2383693.
