Viscerosomatic Reflex: Distressed Internal Organs Back Pain

Low back and mid-back pain could be caused by abdominal or pelvic organ distress/irritation or infection that an individual doesn’t know about. This could be a viscerosomatic reflex. This can be the case when there is no back injury, muscle strain, or sprain that would coincide with back aching and soreness. Identifying the symptoms and diagnosing the underlying cause is the first step in getting ultimate pain relief.

The Organs

Inflammation and other issues with any internal organs in the central, abdominal, or pelvic region can produce low back pain. These include the following:

• Heart
• Lungs
• Stomach
• Intestines
• Liver
• Gallbladder

Viscerosomatic reflex pain can also be felt in a completely different body part than where the organ is located. This can cause an individual to think something is wrong in that body region when there is not.

Kidneys

• The kidneys help remove liquid waste from the body.
• Urine that contains more chemical substances than what can be diluted can cause kidney stones to form and sharp pain in the side and the lower back.
• Kidney stones can also cause difficulty urinating and blood to show up in the urine.
• A kidney infection can result in mid-low back pain and fever.

Pancreas

• The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion and blood sugar regulation.
• Pancreatitis is inflammation that can cause severe and disabling pain that starts in the upper abdomen and radiates to the lower back.

Appendix

• The appendix is located in the lower right abdomen.
• Its function is to store healthy, beneficial bacteria.
• It can become inflamed, causing severe pain in the lower abdomen and spreading to the lower back.
• If it bursts, the leak can cause toxic effects on the body, which is why an inflamed appendix needs to be surgically removed.

Large Intestine

• Inflammation of the large intestine/colon and/or ulcerative colitis can also cause:
• Low back pain.
• Abdominal cramps
• Rectal pain.

Visceral Pain

Visceral pain is different as it can be harder to pinpoint a source and feels like a dull aching or tightening pressure.‌ The pain originates in the organs of the respiratory system, stomach, or pelvis and is often described as a dull ache but is also described as:

• Colic
• Gnawing
• Twisting

Visceral pain has distinguishing characteristics:

• The pain originates in the middle of the body but can be felt in other areas.
• The pain can be scattered, and difficult to locate a definitive source.
• The affected area or other body regions can become sensitive.
• It can accompany other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sweating, or heart palpitations.
• Psychological symptoms like depression can begin to present.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic focuses on healing the musculoskeletal system of aches and pains, muscle stiffness, and/or chronic conditions that complement traditional medical care. Adjustments can correct the body’s alignment and how the body physically functions. A chiropractor will use manual or mechanical decompression techniques to realign the spine. This will release the muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve tension, relieving pain and improving nervous system function and viscerosomatic reflex. Treatments include:

Adjustments

• Will gently realign the joints to decrease pain and increase the range of motion.

Soft-tissue therapy

• Will relax tight muscles, relieve spasms, and release tension in the surrounding connective tissues.

Exercises and stretches

• Will restore and maintain joint stability and mobility.

Joint bracing and Kinesio taping

• Will support sprained joints or muscles as the healing process continues.

Integrative medicine expert referrals

• Experts will guide individuals on diet and nutrition to reduce inflammation and promote healthy eating for overall health.

Beyond Adjustments: Chiropractic and Integrative Healthcare

References

Bath M, Owens J. Physiology, Viscerosomatic Reflexes. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559218/

Beal, M C. “Viscerosomatic reflexes: a review.” The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association vol. 85,12 (1985): 786-801.

Lefebvre R, Peterson D, Haas M. Evidence-Based Practice and Chiropractic Care. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3716373/) J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2012;18(1):75-79. Accessed 4/25/2022.

Sikandar, Shafaq, and Anthony H Dickenson. “Visceral pain: the ins and outs, the ups and downs.” Current opinion in supportive and palliative care vol. 6,1 (2012): 17-26. doi:10.1097/SPC.0b013e32834f6ec9

Zhou, QiQi, and G Nicholas Verne. “New insights into visceral hypersensitivity–clinical implications in IBS.” Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology vol. 8,6 (2011): 349-55. doi:10.1038/nrgastro.2011.83