6 Causes of Back Pain When Coughing (2025)

Back pain from coughing is often caused by muscle strain and resolves on its own; however, you may need to see a healthcare provider to treat both the pain and the cough.

1. Muscle Strain

When you cough, muscles throughout your chest and core contract powerfully, putting a strain on your muscles, including those in your back and the intercostal muscles between your ribs. This can feel like back pain. A pulled or strained muscle is a common cause of back pain, not just from coughing.

If your cough is bad enough to cause a muscle strain, it’s time to see a healthcare provider. There’s no quick fix for a strained muscle—time and rest are key—but a healthcare provider can help treat your cough and discuss how to control the pain from your muscle strain.

2. Pneumonia

Back pain while coughing is also a symptom of pneumonia. If pneumonia is the cause, your back pain will worsen when you breathe deeply or cough. It might feel like a sharp, stabbing pain.

It is important to see a healthcare provider for signs of pneumonia. Antibiotics can help with bacterial forms of pneumonia, and healthcare providers will also want to ensure you’re getting enough oxygen.

3. Herniated Disc

A herniated disc happens when the dcartilage discsbetween your vertebrae (the bones of your spine) bulge out of their usual place. When all or part of a disc becomes forced out, it can put pressure on nearby nears, causing pain. Sometimes, a herniated disc causes no pain, but it can be especially painful when coughing or sneezing.

Herniated discs often get better on their own in over the course of a few weeks, with symptoms dissappearing after about three or four months. However, if the pain is intense or impacts your day-to-day activities, see a healthcare provider.

4. Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal column. It happens naturally with aging and can lead to back pain. The action of coughing may make symptoms of spinal stenosis more intense.

5. Muscle Spasm

A muscle spasm happens when your muscles contract but do not relax. Dehydration and fatigue caused by ongogin coughing can make muscle spasms worse. Staying hydrated and gentle stretching can help treat muscle spasms and ease pain.

6. Kidney Infection

A kidney infection can cause back pain and sometimes a cough. It's a rarer cause of back pain while coughing, but it's a possible explanation.

How to Ease Back Pain With a Cough

• Use cough suppressants: Cough suppressants reduce the cough reflex. If you’re coughing less, your muscles can recover and rest. However, cough suppressants are not always safe, especially for children, so get advice from a healthcare provider before using them.
• Try bracing: Sore and tired muscles are more susceptible to strain and spasms. Gently bracing yourself before you cough can help.
• Explore at-home treatments: Home remedies for cough, including honey, steam, a humidifier, and staying hydrated, can help treat your cough and, therefore, ease the strain on your muscles.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If you have a cough that’s severe enough to cause back pain, see a healthcare provider. They can examine your lungs and treat underlying conditions like pneumonia or a kidney infection.

You should see a healthcare provider immediately if you have:

• Back pain that impacts your ability to move
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Fatigue or changes to cognition
• Numbness or tingling in your legs or back
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or trouble breathing
• Wheezing or trouble breathing

Summary

Back pain when coughing is often caused by muscle strains or spasms. Coughs and muscle strains can take weeks to resolve but should slowly improve. Cough medications and at-home treatments like drinking honey and bracing yourself can help.

If you have a severe cough, it’s always a good idea to see a healthcare provider, especially if you have symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. A healthcare provider can create a treatment plan and offer strategies that reduce your pain as you get better.