You may not have thought about how your gut and spine are actually connected. Understanding this connection can help you to manage your back pain and improve your overall health. Here’s how they’re connected:

• Inflammation: Inflammation is one of the most direct links between your gut and spine. An unhealthy gut can lead to a condition called “leaky gut” where the protective lining of your intestines becomes compromised. This allows undigested food into the bloodstream. When your immune system detects this, it launches an inflammatory response that affects not only your spine, but your body. 
• Your Gut Influences Pain Signals: Your gut microbiome plays a crucial role in this communication. An imbalanced microbiome can lead to lower production of positive neurotransmitters which amplifies your perception of pain.