^

Health

Low back pain on the left side

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Fact-checked
х

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If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

According to statistics, lower back pain on the left occurs in more than ninety percent of people, not only in old age, but also in young people. The reasons for which lower back pain on the left may bother you are quite varied. These include disorders of the spine, internal organ function, insufficient motor activity, crooked posture and many others.

Pain in the lower back on the left may indicate kidney pathology. Pyelonephritis, stone deposition and other kidney diseases, in addition to specific symptoms and signs, may make themselves known in the form of pain in the lumbar region. Pain in the lower back on the left is also a frequent companion of inflammation of the uterine appendages in women. Very often, pain in the lower back on the left occurs as a result of the presence of such a disease as osteochondrosis. Its localization in the lumbar region causes pain in the lower back on the left, which may be accompanied by irradiation to the lower limbs. With osteochondrosis, dystrophic lesions occur in the intervertebral discs.

Causes of lower back pain on the left

The causes of lower back pain on the left are quite varied and may be associated with the following diseases:

  • Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine.
  • Congenital pathologies: spondylosis, spondylolisthesis.
  • Lower back injuries.
  • Inflammatory diseases: destruction of the vertebral bodies, inflammation of the sacroiliac joint.
  • Sprain.
  • Tumor neoplasms.
  • Pinched sciatic nerve.
  • Radiculitis.
  • Kidney diseases: pyelonephritis, stone deposition.
  • Bowel diseases.
  • Inflammation of the bladder.
  • Inflammation of the uterine appendages.

trusted-source[ 1 ]

Symptoms of lower back pain on the left

Symptoms of lower back pain on the left may vary in strength and nature of pain sensations and irradiation to other parts of the body. Lower back pain on the left may be acute or chronic, accompanied by pulling, aching, bursting or stabbing sensations. The nature of pain that occurs in the lower back on the left is divided into neuropathic (provoked by damage to the nerve, for example, when it is pinched) and nociceptive (damage that does not affect the nervous system, for example, with arthritis). Pain in the lower back on the left, increasing with a deep breath, may indicate muscle injury. If the symptoms increase with sudden movements, we may be talking about compression of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of lower back pain in kidney disease are accompanied by pain when emptying the bladder, the presence of blood in the urine. The pain syndrome may increase when tapping the left side with the edge of the palm.

Acute pain in the lower back on the left

Acute lower back pain on the left can be quite severe, accompanied by shooting pains and radiating to the legs, buttocks, and limiting the patient's motor activity. This type of pain can occur with osteochondrosis or radiculitis. Acute lower back pain on the left is also accompanied by muscle tension and stiffness of mobility in the lumbar region. Acute lower back pain, or lumbago, always occurs suddenly, usually when lifting weights, making careless abrupt movements, or bending over. In addition to osteochondrosis and radiculitis, the causes of lumbago include overexertion in the lumbar region, displaced vertebrae, or congenital spinal pathologies. With a prolapsed intervertebral disc, acute lower back pain on the left is combined with pain in the hips and buttocks, which can radiate to the shins and feet. The direct cause of acute lower back pain on the left is a pinched nerve or displaced vertebrae.

trusted-source[ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Aching pain in the lower back on the left

A nagging pain in the lower back on the left, in addition to diseases of the spine, can be caused by pathologies of an inflammatory nature, such as inflammation of the uterine appendages or bladder, kidney disease. With adnexitis, a nagging pain in the lower back in women can be combined with symptoms such as pain in the lower abdomen, in the sacral region, high temperature (in the acute form of the disease), failure of the menstrual cycle, bloody or other discharge from the vagina, pain during sexual intercourse. With inflammation of the bladder, pain in the lower back on the left is accompanied by pain when urinating, pain in the pubic symphysis, in severe cases nausea or vomiting may occur, and the temperature may rise. With pyelonephritis, pain in the lower back is accompanied by chills and fever, headache, discomfort in the muscles. Nagging pain in the lower back usually increases with frequent loads, causes a persistent feeling of fatigue, a desire to lean on the back of a chair when sitting or take a horizontal position. At the same time, as a rule, pain sensations decrease if the pain is not associated with inflammatory processes. Nagging pain in the lower back can also be caused by such a disease as spondylolisthesis - displacement of one vertebra in relation to others. With this pathology, the patient may feel tension in the hamstring and decreased motor activity of the lumbar region. In some cases, pain, numbness or tingling in the lower limbs may occur.

trusted-source[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ]

Dull pain in the lower back on the left

Dull pain in the lower back on the left can be a symptom of the same diseases as nagging pain. In women, this can be inflammation of the uterine appendages, cystitis, as well as the period of menstruation or pregnancy. In men, dull pain in the lower back on the left can be associated with the development of prostatitis. Kidney diseases can also cause dull pain in the lower back on the left, depending on the severity of the disease, the symptoms can intensify, causing quite intense pain in the lower back. Dull pain in the lower back on the left can be the result of a spinal injury, may indicate pathologies of internal organs, as well as the development of infectious or tumor processes. With a sedentary lifestyle and forced prolonged stay in the same position, dull pain in the lower back on the left can also occur. Hypothermia of the body, as well as excessive physical activity, overload of the lumbar region can also affect the occurrence of this type of pain.

trusted-source[ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Who to contact?

How to recognize lower back pain on the left?

Diagnosis of lower back pain on the left is based on differentiation of its types, which include a set of various symptoms. Local pain may be associated with pathologies associated with pinched nerve roots. The pain is usually constant and may subside or intensify depending on the position of the body or motor activity. The nature of the pain can be both sharp and dull. Even if the pain spreads to other parts of the body, it is always clearly expressed at the site of the lesion.

Reflected pain may occur in pathological processes of the spine or when irradiated from other internal organs - in diseases of the pelvic area or abdominal cavity. When making a diagnosis, the following signs are taken into account: the pain does not subside in a lying position, is not associated with movement and can change as a result of the state of the internal organs with which it is associated.

Radicular pain is usually quite intense and is characterized by peripheral spread. When such pain occurs, a diagnosis of curvature, stretching or compression of the nerve root can be made. The pain can radiate from the spine to the legs, increase with tension in the lumbar region, and also if the patient coughs or sneezes.

Myofascial pain, in turn, can be local or reflected. The muscle spasm that occurs in this case can be associated with problems with the spine or internal organs, and can cause a feeling of tension in the sacrum and buttocks.

For more accurate differentiation of disease symptoms during diagnosis of lower back pain, in addition to in-person examination and palpation of the spine, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, myelography and X-ray examination methods are used.

Treatment of lower back pain on the left

Treatment of lower back pain on the left, which is not associated with spinal problems, consists primarily in eliminating the causes of the underlying disease. If lower back pain on the left is a consequence of osteochondrosis, the patient is prescribed massage procedures, acupuncture, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, spinal traction, a set of various physiotherapeutic procedures, and therapeutic exercises. Physiotherapeutic methods include low-frequency current treatment, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, etc. Such treatment methods help relieve pain, reduce the manifestations of inflammatory processes. Physiotherapeutic procedures help reduce the duration of treatment, increase the effectiveness of medications. Massage procedures for lower back pain help eliminate muscle tension and pain, improve blood circulation, and also have a general strengthening effect. Spinal traction allows you to increase the intervertebral space, relieve pain and restore the correct shape of the spine. Acupuncture is successfully used in the treatment of lower back pain on the left, which also allows you to increase the effectiveness of concomitant treatments. Adjuvant treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of creams, ointments, tablets or injections is indicated in the acute phase of the disease and is aimed at neutralizing pain and signs of inflammation. Manual treatment is also practiced for acute or chronic pain in the lower back on the left.

Prevention of lower back pain on the left

Prevention of lower back pain on the left side includes the following recommendations:

  • Perform simple gymnastic exercises regularly to warm up and strengthen your back muscles.
  • When bending your torso, try to bend your knees.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects, sudden and careless movements.
  • Maintain a comfortable position while sleeping.
  • When sitting for a long time at a monitor or behind the wheel of a car, keep your back straight and do not slouch.
  • when walking.
  • Try to avoid staying in the same position for a long time; if you are forced to sit for a long time, try to take short breaks and stretch your lower back.
  • Don't get too cold.
  • Eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.