Medical expert of the article
New publications
Pain in the back of my side
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
This type of pain in the side at the back can be a symptom of many diseases. Therefore, if the pain does not go away for more than 12 hours - no matter whether it is strong or weak and aching - you should definitely consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.
[ 1 ]
Cardiovascular diseases
They can cause pain on the left and back of the back. The causes may be the following diseases:
- Angina pectoris can cause pain in the heart, which radiates between the shoulder blades on the left side.
- An aneurysm of the aorta of the heart, which occurs in the heart area and can radiate to the left side of the back, to the chest, and even to the left shoulder. The nature of the pain can be constant, cutting, burning, radiating to the left side of the back in the form of shooting pains. The pain can occur due to irritation of the thoracic nerves of the back or pressure on them.
- Pericarditis is a disease of the heart and blood vessels, which causes severe pain in the side at the back, which increases with each hour. The pain can radiate not only to the back, but also to the shoulder and neck. A person cannot move because of this, his movements are difficult, and his postures are forced.
[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]
Respiratory diseases
They can end with pain in the side - left or right, radiating to the back. In this case, the culprits can be obvious or hidden diseases.
- Pneumothorax, in which the pain occurs suddenly and strongly. This is chest pain that radiates to the left or right shoulder blade. There are no heart murmurs when listening, the chest reacts painfully to touch.
- Pleurisy (cough - wet or dry), pain in this disease is given to the right chest or left part of the chest. Each breath, especially deep, causes pain to a person.
- Pneumonia - with this disease, the pain can radiate under the left or right shoulder blade or to the area of the shoulder blade itself. This pain can be aching and long-lasting, at first it is not very strong, but can intensify when a person takes a deep breath or coughs. Symptoms such as chills, wheezing in the lungs, cough, dry or wet, are added.
Cancer of the bronchi or lungs
With cancerous tumors in these vital organs, pain may occur in the left side, this pain spreads to the shoulder blade, shoulder, the entire arm. If the top of the lungs is affected by metastases, brachial plexopathy may develop, which is also called Pencoast syndrome. Pain may bother on either side - in the area where the lungs are affected. If the nerve located between the ribs is also irritated, the pain can spread throughout the chest area.
[ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ]
Diseases of the digestive system
They can cause pain on the right side. These pains – their nature and intensity – depend on what disease causes them.
Acute cholecystitis
Pain in the side at the back can last from 2-3 hours to a week. It can be pain on the right under the ribs and in the middle of the chest. The pain radiates to the chest on the right, as well as the area of the right shoulder, the right shoulder blade, and the left side, where the heart is. These symptoms can be accompanied by vomiting, tension in the abdominal muscles, chills, the skin turns yellow, and when pressing the fingers on the chest, especially severe pain occurs in it.
[ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ], [ 21 ], [ 22 ]
Pain in the side on the left and in the back
They can be caused by acute pancreatitis. In this case, the pain can be very strong, and it occurs unexpectedly and sharply. The pain radiates to the left chest, left shoulder blade, the area above the shoulder, and also the heart area. The abdominal muscles can spasm.
Diseases of the urinary system
They can provoke pain on the left or right side of the back. The culprits of pain can be such malfunctions in the body
- Kidney colic
- Thrombi in the renal artery
- Hematoma in the peritoneum or retroperitoneal region
- Back pain after anticoagulant treatment
- Spinal cord dysfunction, its deformation and peripheral system dysfunction
These diseases can cause pain on the left or right side of the back. Pain in the side at the back occurs suddenly, it is sharp, shooting, this pain is especially strong in the area of the nerve roots, which are irritated and inflamed.
[ 23 ]