Studies have found that individuals who consume alcohol in moderation have lower inflammation markers than individuals who do not drink alcohol or heavy drinkers. Other studies have found that alcohol abuse can be associated with chronic back pain. Chronic back pain can lead to alcohol dependency; however, regular alcohol over-consumption can contribute to back pain. The role of alcohol when it comes to back pain is a complicated situation because of the variables. There are social drinkers, weekend bingers, etc. Most individuals want answers to questions like:

• Will consuming alcohol cause back pain?
• Can alcohol affect sciatica?
• Why does it hurt in the back after drinking?

Alcohol and Back Pain

Alcohol’s role in back pain can take on different forms, both healthy and harmful, as aforementioned individuals that consume light to moderate amounts of alcoholic beverages have reduced inflammation throughout the body compared to heavy drinkers or those who don’t drink. Another consideration is that many individuals with back pain take medication/s. This can present a series of issues when mixed with alcohol. Most individuals with back pain can drink in moderation. But this is easier said than done because many do not understand the medical definition of moderate drinking.

Moderate Drinking

Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink a day for women and up to 2 drinks a day for men. A standard drink in the United States is a drink that contains around 0.6 fluid ounces/14 grams of pure alcohol. Alcoholic beverages can vary in terms of how much alcohol they contain. A few examples of different alcoholic beverages that contain the same amount of alcohol and count as one drink:

• 12-fluid-ounce regular beer contains 5% alcohol
• 5-fluid-ounce glass of wine contains 12% alcohol
• 1.5-fluid-ounce glass of 80-proof distilled spirits contains 40% alcohol

Medical professionals and national health advisory boards agree in general that moderate drinking is the healthy way to consume alcohol. However, some individuals should avoid alcohol completely, specifically if taking pain medication/s for spine problems/conditions.

Medication

Medications, even over-the-counter types like ibuprofen, can cause serious issues when combined with alcohol. Some common back pain medications can create unfavorable reactions when alcohol enters the system:

• Alcohol and acetaminophen can lead to liver failure.
• Alcohol mixed with aspirin increases gastric bleeding risk.
• Alcohol increases the analgesic and sedative effects of opiates.

For those taking medication/s for back pain, there needs to be an understanding of how alcohol interacts with the medication/s. Keeping track of the drug warnings can be challenging, especially if taking multiple medications. It is recommended to follow the expertise of local pharmacists and personal doctors. They will provide an explanation and an understanding of how the medications work together and if alcohol can be safely consumed in moderation or should be avoided.

Drinking The Pain Away

One benefit of moderate drinking is that it can help the body relax and reduce stress. This can help manage and prevent back pain. However, it is estimated that around 28% of individuals with chronic pain begin to turn to alcohol to manage the pain. This can lead to various problems.

• Alcohol’s pain-numbing effects activate when drinking beyond the recommended moderate drinking. This can lead to excessive alcohol consumption.
• The more alcohol consumed to relieve pain, the more likely a tolerance will develop that can lead to dependence.

However, chronic drinking to dull back pain can cause the body to develop increased sensitivity to pain. If there is withdrawal from alcohol after months or years of use, an individual may feel pain to a greater degree than before. Because of this, many go back to drinking for pain management. Excessive use can cause significant health issues.

Spinal Health

Having an honest conversation about drinking individual habits with a personal doctor is the recommended way to protect your body’s overall health safely. A doctor will help explain how alcohol relates to the individual, as they best understand how alcohol affects their specific spinal condition and how it interacts with treatment.

---

Compositional Testing

---

Alcohol Consumption and Body Composition

Alcohol can be included as part of a healthy diet and achieve the body that an individual is working towards. When drinking, try to remember the following:

• The metabolism of alcohol does affect fat metabolism.
• Try to avoid consuming excessive calories to prevent fat storage.
• If drinking regularly, take alcohol into account, with the usual caloric intake.
• If trying to maximize time spent in the gym, limit sugary mixers and cocktails.
• When choosing beer, stick to lighter versions.
• Keep calories in check by choosing low-calorie spirits.
• Be sure to eat plenty of lean protein to feel full and satisfied.
• Stay hydrated
• Get to sleep on time.
• Drink responsibly.
• Excessive levels of alcohol are never healthy.

References

Ferreira PH, Pinheiro MB, Machado GC, Ferreira ML. Is alcohol intake associated with low back pain? A systematic review of observational studies. Man Ther. 2013;18(3):183-90. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.10.007.

Imhof A, Woodward M, Doering N, et al. Overall alcohol intake, beer, wine, and systemic markers of inflammation in western Europe: results from three MONICA samples (Augsburg, Glasgow, Lille). Eur Heart J. December 2004;25(23):2092-2100.

Rethinking Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health. National Institutes of Health: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Accessed March 30, 2018.