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Low back pain on the right side
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Lower back pain on the right is most often associated with dysfunction of the genitourinary system, inflammation of the appendix, intestinal and kidney diseases, hernia formation, pathological processes in the spine. However, it should be noted that there are a great many reasons that can cause lower back pain on the right, and only an experienced specialist can differentiate the symptoms as accurately as possible. If you have lower back pain on the right, you may need to consult specialists such as a gynecologist, urologist, neurologist, traumatologist, surgeon, orthopedist. If pain syndrome occurs in the lower back on the right, the patient may be prescribed an electromyogram, X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc. to diagnose the disease.
[ What can cause lower back pain on the right side?
Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine
Diseases of the spine are quite diverse and many of them have similar symptoms. Very often, lower back pain is caused by osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine. Depending on which segment of the spine is affected, symptoms such as shooting pain, pain radiating to the groin or legs, and stiffness in the lumbar region may occur. Such pains usually increase after physical activity, hypothermia, prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position, careless sudden movements, and stress. Such pathology can only be treated in a comprehensive manner, using physiotherapy methods (acupuncture, magnetic therapy, laser therapy) and medications. Courses of therapeutic massage for osteochondrosis also have a positive effect and can significantly alleviate the patient's condition. In the acute phase of the disease, the patient is prescribed bed rest for several days. To relieve pain, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used in the form of ointments, gels, tablets, injections, including diclofenac, ketoprofen, piroxicam, etc. Novocaine blockades, spinal traction, and therapeutic exercise during the recovery period can also alleviate the condition.
Spinal injuries
Lower back pain on the right can be caused by a lumbar injury. Most often, they occur in athletes and can occur as a result of very high power loads, imprecise exercise technique, unevenly distributed loads. As a result of injury to the lumbar region, vertebrae can be displaced, soft tissues can rupture, etc. In case of lower back injuries, you should consult a doctor, take an X-ray to determine the severity of the injury. If the injury has caused vertebrae to be displaced, spinal traction is performed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy methods, and massage are used to recover from the injury. If the vertebrae have not been displaced, the recovery period usually lasts for several days, with the loads being kept to a minimum.
Gynecological diseases
Women's diseases can also cause lower back pain on the right side. These include endometriosis, painful menstruation, uterine fibroids, kidney disease, adnexitis, etc. To clarify the diagnosis, an in-person examination by a gynecologist and a comprehensive examination are necessary. The risk of lower back pain is associated with prolonged sitting, hypothermia, excess weight, heavy physical exertion, the development of osteoporosis, sudden and careless movements, for example, during sports.
Radiculitis
A disease such as radiculitis can also cause lower back pain. This disease is characterized by pain radiating to the leg, buttocks, and hips. The patient cannot move, and any movement causes severe pain. As a rule, the pain syndrome occurs spontaneously, with a sharp movement or lifting weights. Lower back pain with radiculitis also makes itself known at night, causing stabbing or shooting pain.
Pregnancy
Lower back pain on the right may appear during pregnancy. Most often, it is associated with increased load on the spine and weakened abdominal muscles due to stretching. Typically, such pain occurs around the sixth month of pregnancy, can radiate to the leg, and intensify after physical activity, long walks, standing, or other uncomfortable positions. To alleviate the condition, pregnant women are prescribed a calcium-containing diet, as well as reducing the load on the spine.
Lumbar spondyloarthrosis
Lower back pain can also be caused by a disease such as spondyloarthrosis of the spine, in particular, the lumbar region. In most cases, this disease affects the elderly. In young people, it can manifest itself after twenty-five years. With spondyloarthrosis, degenerative changes occur in the joints, the cartilage becomes thinner, its elasticity decreases, and bone growths form. The causes of this disease include congenital defects of the spine or its injury. Impaired metabolism, flat feet, uneven physical activity, overload of the spine, for example, when sitting for a long time, are also considered factors influencing the development of the disease. With spondyloarthrosis, lower back pain is aching in nature, it is periodically repeated and can radiate to the buttock, to the hip area. The pain syndrome can increase with the movement of the body back and sideways. After a long stay in the same position, the pain may intensify. Usually this pain is reduced after a light warm-up.
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Treatment of lower back pain on the right
To choose the right method of treating lower back pain on the right, you first need to establish an accurate diagnosis. After identifying the causes of the disease, the doctor prescribes a set of different procedures depending on the type and form of the disease. In case of osteochondrosis and radiculitis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used as an adjuvant treatment - ointments, creams, gels, tablets, injections. Physical therapy is indicated during the period of remission of the disease. A set of exercises is selected individually and depends on the severity of the pain syndrome. It is also possible to prescribe massage procedures, manual therapy sessions, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, spinal traction. Warming ointments are used for radiculitis - viprosal, apizartron. Physical therapy and spinal traction in combination with anti-inflammatory therapy are also indicated for spondyloarthrosis of the spine. In case of muscle strains, the patient needs to reduce the load, it is recommended to stay in bed for several days. To relieve pain, ice can be applied to the injured area through a diaper or towel. To prevent the development of edema, it is necessary to apply an elastic bandage. In case of severe pain syndrome, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs are used. If pain occurs in the lower back on the right, for competent treatment and prevention of complications, you should consult a specialist.