In medicine, back pain and nausea are connected because these symptoms tend to crop up at the same time. These indicators can occur without warning, radiate in waves or increase in severity over time — all indicators that can help a medical professional begin to make a diagnosis. The specific location of the back pain such as left, right, upper or lower back is also helpful in determining the nature of the pain. Although there are a number of medical conditions that may indicate a relationship between back pain and nausea, the symptoms are often associated with physical injuries to the spine and conditions specific to females.

The back is made up of a stack of bones called the vertebra that runs from the bottom of the skull and extends down to the top of the buttocks. This complex system is made up of various interconnected tendons, ligaments, muscles and nerves. Any part of this system has the potential to be responsible for back pain and nausea.

An often-neglected cause of back pain and nausea is bodily injury due to a strained muscle or herniated disc. A muscle strain occurs when a muscle is damaged or torn by an unexpected twist or pull. A herniated disc occurs when a portion of the spinal disc bulges out and pushes against a nerve root. Examples of when such spinal injuries can be sustained include moving heavy furniture, taking a hard fall or from a shock to the spine following a car accident. These physical injuries can cause a number of physical symptoms include back pain, fever and nausea.

For women, it is not uncommon to experience back pain and nausea as part of the physical symptoms of menstruation. Nausea can be a result of changing hormone levels that in turn affect digestive acids and cause heartburn and vomiting. Menstrual cramps can be quite severe and in some women can cause a dull aching back pain, this pain can often start in the days leading up to menstrual bleeding.

One of the most frequent causes of unexplained nausea in women is pregnancy. Also known as morning sickness, nausea may begin as little as one month into the pregnancy and continue for the next seven months. Nausea in pregnant women is thought to be caused by changes in hormone levels and an enhanced sense of smell. Back pain is also fairly common in pregnant women due to the increase in weight. The presence of nausea and back pain does not just occur with normal pregnancies however, both signs may occur during a miscarriage or with a preeclampsia.

Back pain and nausea are both reactions that the body takes to some illness or condition. Everything from sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia to excess consumption of alcohol or caffeine and inflamed organs can be responsible. If the underlying cause of the condition has already been treated, self-care can usually be done. If back pain and nausea is accompanied by fever or extreme pain and does not improve with time, medical intervention is likely necessary.