What Can Cause Back Pain in Women?

In this blog, I want to share what I’ve learned through my experience at Ayur Bethaniya and explain what can cause back pain in women, particularly from an Ayurvedic point of view. Whether you are in your 20s or 60s, understanding these causes can help you begin your journey towards holistic healing.

Hormonal changes are often an unnoticed reason why women experience back pain. The hormonal changes a woman experiences through adolescence and menopause can lead to changes in how much pain she feels, how she handles inflammation, and her posture.

Many women feel lower back pain during menstruation because the uterus contracts, an action influenced by the Vata dosha. Spasms, stiffness, and sharp pain in the lower back can be due to an imbalanced Vata. Many young women often attribute their symptoms to certain exercises, when in fact, they stem from hormonal changes and doshic imbalance.

Today, many women put in many hours on screens or around the house, often with little thought for their spines. Whether you slouch in the kitchen, bend your back when picking up your child, or stay hunched over at your computer, all of these postures add pressure to your spine and lower back.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, such repetitive strain and improper posture disturb the alignment of the musculoskeletal system and aggravate Vata in the lower back region. A lot of the time, I suggest doing corrective yoga postures, gentle stretches, and Abhyanga (oil massage) to restore balance and ease stiffness. 

Having worked closely with mothers in their prenatal and postnatal stages, I can confidently say that back pain is one of the most common yet under-addressed concerns during this time. Carrying a child significantly shifts a woman’s center of gravity, placing extra pressure on the spine. Hormonal changes during pregnancy also relax ligaments, making the joints more susceptible to strain.

After childbirth, the Vata dosha tends to spike due to the loss of fluids and energy. Unless this is pacified with proper nutrition, rest, and therapies, the new mother may continue to suffer from chronic back pain long after delivery. At Ayur Bethaniya, we provide tailored postnatal Ayurvedic care to support deep healing and strengthen the spine and pelvic region.

Read to Know: How Ayurveda Helps In Postnatal Care

As women enter menopause, declining estrogen levels can lead to bone density loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis). This makes the spine and joints more vulnerable to pain and injuries. Many women in their 40s and 50s come to me complaining of persistent backaches, unaware that hormonal imbalances are slowly affecting their bone structure.

In Ayurveda, this is considered a phase where the Vata dosha naturally increases. If left unchecked, it can dry out tissues and joints, leading to degeneration. Rejuvenating herbs like Ashwagandha, Bala, and Guggulu, along with Abhyanga using medicated oils like Sahacharadi Thailam, help in nourishing bones and joints with lasting strength.

Another significant, yet often invisible, contributor to back pain in women is stress. I’ve noticed that when women are under emotional pressure, be it due to relationships, work, or family, their back pain tends to flare up, and that is not just coincidence.

In Ayurveda, emotional stress is said to disturb both Vata and Pitta doshas. Stress tightens the muscles, disturbs digestion, and affects sleep, factors that contribute to muscular and nervous system fatigue, particularly in the back and neck. Through therapies such as Shirodhara (oil streaming on the forehead), guided meditation, and Satvavajaya Chikitsa (Ayurvedic psychotherapy), we help women find mental peace and physical relief.

You may wonder how your diet is connected to your spine, but in Ayurveda, Agni (digestive fire) is the cornerstone of all health. A weak digestive system leads to the accumulation of Ama (toxins), which can settle in the joints and muscles, causing pain and stiffness.
I’ve treated several women who suffered from chronic back pain that significantly improved once they followed a dosha-specific diet. A warm, nourishing and Vata-pacifying diet with herbs like Trikatu and Triphala often does wonders. Also, drinking warm water and avoiding heavy, cold and stale foods can significantly reduce pain caused by toxic build-up.

Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) are commonly associated with back pain, especially in the lower region. These issues are not just gynecological but affect the entire pelvic area, and the radiating pain often reaches the spine. Ayurveda offers effective internal herbal treatments and external therapies like Basti (medicated enema) to cleanse the reproductive and excretory systems. 

I’ve seen cases where, after just a few sessions of Panchakarma detox and herbal therapy, the patient’s back pain reduces significantly as their gynecological health improves.

As we’ve seen, there isn’t just one answer to the question of what can cause back pain in women. It’s often a combination of hormonal shifts, poor posture, stress, and weakened digestive or reproductive systems. Ayurveda teaches us that true healing begins with understanding the individual constitution and the root cause, not just the symptoms.

At Ayur Bethaniya Ayurveda Hospital in Thrissur, we take a deeply personalized approach to healing back pain in women. Whether it’s through herbal medications, Panchakarma therapies, dietary guidance, or yoga, our goal is to support each woman’s journey to balance.

If you are struggling with chronic or recurrent back pain, don’t ignore it. Let us help you understand your body and find natural, lasting relief. 

Feel free to contact us for your queries.

Read to know: Tips to choose the best Ayurvedic Hospital in Kerala in 2025