What Causes Lower Right Back Pain

Back Muscle Or Spinal Problems

The lower back is home to some of the most overworked muscles in the human body. As a result, its no surprise that lots of people accidentally tear or overstretch these muscles from time to time.

Even sitting in improper positions can lead to back pain in the lower regions, especially with todays sedentary lifestyles.

But of course, there are other possible reasons for pain in your lower right side that all are connected to issues with your spine. We have an entire section on different causes, like a herniated disc, which can cause pain to radiate near the affected area. Herniated discs can be caused by improper physical activity or just sitting without good posture for too long.

The overall point is that your lower back pain on the right side might be caused by direct muscle or tissue damage in that region. This may mean youll need treatment in the form of painkillers, hot and cold therapy, stretching, or even minor surgery.

You’re Running A Fever

The flu can definitely make you run a fever and achiness, including in your back. However, if the fever is unresponsive to standard OTC medications, you could have a serious infection that needs treatment immediately. If you go to a doctor and they find an infection, they may prescribe antibiotics and a few days rest. Learn how to avoid the flu.

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Why Is Lower Back Pain Such A Common Problem

The bottom part of your back typically has just five vertebrae fewer than your neck and mid-back. And these vertebrae do a lot of heavy lifting! Your lower back is where your spine connects to your pelvis, bearing the weight of your upper body. This area experiences a lot of movement and stress, which may lead to wear, tear and injuries.

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The Importance Of An Accurate Diagnosis

The physician will need to take a careful medical history and do a physical exam to look for certain red flags that indicate the need for an X-ray or other imaging test. In most cases, however, imaging such as X-ray, MRI , or CT scan is unnecessary.

There may also be certain clues in a patients medical history. Low back, nonradiating pain is commonly due to muscle strain and spasm. Pain that radiates into the buttock and down the leg may be due to , a condition in which a bulging disc presses on the sciatic nerve, which extends down the spinal column to its exit point in the pelvis and carries nerve fibers to the leg. This nerve compression causes pain in the lower back radiating through the buttocks and down one leg, which can go to below the knee, often combined with localized areas of numbness. In the most extreme cases, the patient experiences weakness in addition to numbness and pain, which suggests the need for quick evaluation.

A persistent shooting or tingling pain may suggest lumbar disc disease. A pain that comes and goes, reaching a peak and then quieting for a minute or two, only to reach a peak again, may suggest an altogether different cause of back pain, such as a kidney stone.

When tumor or infection are suspected, the doctor may order blood tests, including a CBC and sedimentation rate. .

Muscle Strain Pull Or Tear

Muscle Strain, Pull or Tear Symptoms

The pain can range based on the severity of the muscle strain or tear. The most common symptoms include pain, swelling, muscle spasms, and limited ability to move the muscle. In some cases, you may experience redness, bruising, and tenderness around the affected muscle area.

Causes of Muscle Strains

Muscle strain happens when the muscles and ligaments in your body are overstretched or torn. This type of strain usually causes the area to become inflamed. This inflammation can create a lot more problems for an individual, including back spasms – which can be extremely severe.

Treatment for Muscle Tears

Eliminate pain from a strain, pull or tear by taking anti-inflammatory medications, use of muscle relaxants, getting a massage, exercising and stretching, physical therapy, use of ice/hot therapy, and using a back support brace as needed.

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When To See A Doctor

Its always a good idea to get in touch with a healthcare practitioner if you are experiencing back pain.

Some lower back pain symptoms signal serious problems. If you have any of the following symptoms, get medical attention as soon as possible:

• Loss of sensation in one or both legs
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Numbness, tingling, weakness, or radiating pain in your legs

Some of these symptoms may indicate a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may also prescribe a long-term treatment plan to manage and prevent chronic pain, like physical therapy, therapeutic exercises, steroid injections, or lifestyle changes.

A Guide To Lower Right Back Pain

In some cases, low back pain is felt entirely or primarily on the right side rather than spread evenly across the back. Understanding the possible causes of lower right back pain, as well as its typical characteristics, can help lead to an accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment.

Lower back pain caused by damage to the soft tissues is extremely common, and most cases will not require urgent care. SeeLower Back Strain Video

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Sciatica: Causes Symptoms And Treatment

Sciatica is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve and can be chronic or intermittent. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down the back of the leg and then through the heel. When a sciatic nerve is compressed, it can cause pain in your lower back and leg. A herniated disk in the spine, overgrowth of the spinal bones, or a tumor that puts pressure on the nerves are all possible causes of sciatica. It is the most common cause of pain, but it can also occur on both sides. Painful movements may make it impossible to move, and it may result in severe pain. Some cases may persist for years, but the majority of the time, the pain goes away within a few weeks. Although behavioral modification and at-home remedies are usually sufficient to alleviate the pain in most cases, chronic sciatica may occur in some cases.

Bone Spurs And Arthritis

Facet joints are interconnecting joints located at the back of the spine. Collectively, they give the spine its integrity by limiting spinal movement. Each spinal level has a right and left facet joint.

Facet joints are often where bone spurs develop. These abnormal bone growths may be triggered by arthritis, previous trauma, or other causes.

When spurs develop on a right facet joint, they cause right-sided pain. Other symptoms include leg weakness, numbness, tingling, and electrical sensations that shoot down one leg.

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What Is Causing Pain In My Upper Right Side

Back pain is common and can occur due to many reasons, however, it can get extremely frustrating when you arent sure why the pain is happening or how to get rid of it. If youre experiencing pain or discomfort in your upper right back area but can’t figure out what’s causing it, don’t worry we’re here to help!

Your upper back plays an important role in your everyday movements so it’s no surprise that injuries and conditions can occur in your thoracic spine. But good news – injuries to your upper back are considerably less common in comparison to lower back injuries! The thoracic back and neck are less flexible than your lumbar spine, which is why a lot of underlying causes of right upper back pain frequently involve the internal organs that are protected by your rib cage. Since your ribs are located directly against your upper back muscles, rib cage irritation directly places stress on those muscles. Read the symptoms below to help diagnose the pain in your upper right back and get back to a pain-free life!

How Is Low Back Pain Diagnosed

A complete medical history and physical exam can usually identify any serious conditions that may be causing the pain. Neurologic tests can help determine the cause of pain and appropriate treatment. Imaging tests are not needed in most cases but may be ordered to rule out specific causes of pain, including tumors and spinal stenosis. Occasionally the cause of chronic lower back pain is difficult to determine even after a thorough examination.

Tests include:

Blood tests are not routinely used to diagnose the cause of back pain but might be ordered to look for signs of inflammation, infection, cancer, and/or arthritis.

Bone scans can detect and monitor an infection, fracture, or bone disorder. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and collects in the bones, particularly in areas with some abnormality. Scanner-generated images can identify specific areas of irregular bone metabolism or abnormal blood flow, as well as to measure levels of joint disease.

Discography involves injecting a contrast dye into a spinal disc thought to be causing low back pain. The fluids pressure in the disc will reproduce the persons symptoms if the disc is the cause. The dye helps to show the damaged areas on CT scans taken following the injection.

Electrodiagnostics can identify problems related to the nerves in the back and legs. The procedures include:

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Can Sciatica Pain Radiate To The Front

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There are many possible causes of sciatica, and the pain can radiate to the front in some cases. Sciatica is usually caused by a herniated disc or a bone spur that presses on the sciatic nerve. The pain can also be caused by a muscle strain or spasm.

If the sciatic nerve is irritated, it can produce a sharp pain in its muscles. The most common symptom of sciatica is pain in the back of your leg. Feel numbness or weakness in your foot, as well as difficulty moving your foot, are all symptoms to watch out for. It is critical to treat Sciatica pain symptoms as soon as possible to avoid a more serious condition later on. If you have pain in both legs, sensation loss in the inner thighs, buttock or back of the legs, or inability to control your bowels or bladder, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

sciatica, which can cause a variety of medical problems, affects a large number of people. In addition to spinal tumors, spinal infections, and cauda equina syndrome can all cause sciatica-like symptoms. This condition causes pain to radiate down the back of the leg and can be quite disabling. If you experience any symptoms of sciatica, be seen as soon as possible by a doctor to ensure there are no underlying medical issues.

Your Pain Is Worse At Certain Times Or In Certain Positions

If your back pain wakes you up in the middle of the night or appears when you’re in certain positions, such as lying down, then this could be a sign of a more serious problem. It could be a sign of a more systematic problem such as an infection, fracture, severe nerve compression or even cancer.

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Low Back Pain Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with a specific cause of low back pain is the first step to getting treatment. If you land in your doctors office hoping for back pain relief, theyll use a variety of diagnostic tools and methods, such as:

• A thorough medical history including any recent injuries, other diagnoses, family history of disease, and your job, activities and other lifestyle considerations

• Physical exams, which may include manipulating the painful area or reflex or other neurological tests

• Electromyography, which measures muscle and nerve function

• ImagingX-rays can show bone spurs and damage to bone, while CT scans and MRIs can depict damage to soft tissue like discs or ligaments

How To Treat Neuropathy

There are many different options for treating neuropathy, especially when it originates in the back or spine. Once youve worked with your doctor to identify the root cause of the condition, you can engage with a treatment plan that isolates the afflicted area and works to alleviate symptoms.

While neuropathy is a chronic condition that cannot be cured, we have many solutions for improving the quality of life for an individual suffering from pain. You arent limited in your treatment options, either. A variety of pathways can lead toward lifting the burden of daily pain.

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Sciatica: A Pain In The Butt

Sciatica can be caused by a variety of factors, including the area of the sciatic nerve where it occurs. This pain frequently originates in the lower back and thigh. sciatica has many different types of pain signals that can be transmitted to any location while it is not a single pain, it does cause a variety of symptoms. sciatica treatment usually does not necessitate surgery. Most people will not require surgery at all as a result of the operation.

What Causes Lower Right Back Pain What Is Lower Right Back Pain A Symptom Of

Causes of lower right back pain can be divided into two categories: mechanical problems and underlying conditions. Mechanical problems have to do with the bones and tissues in your back your ligaments, spine, tendons and muscles. Underlying conditions are disorders of your organs. Pain from conditions that affect your organs can radiate to your back.

Mechanical problems:

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Ready To Address Your Back Pain

The University of Maryland Spine Network can help you put your pain behind you. With convenient locations throughout the state, the UM Spine Network is home to the region’s leading spine surgeons and specialists that can help you identify the source of your pain and put an end to it for good.

Put an end to your back pain. Find a spine specialist near you.

In This Section:

What Are The Organs On The Left Side Of The Body

Le left side of the body contains a number of important organs including the heart, lungs and spleen. The heart is located slightly left of center, just behind le sternum. The lungs are also located on the left side of the body, just below the heart.

The spleen is located even lower, on the left side of the abdomen. These organs are all vital for the proper functioning of the body, and any problem affecting them can be serious or even fatal.

Therefore, it is important to know where they are and what they are doing. By understanding how these organs work, we can take better care of our health and our well-being.

Le left side back pain can have many different causes. It can be caused by something as simple as poor posture or muscle tension. It can also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a herniated disc or osteoarthritis.

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Lower Back Pain And Cancer

Cancer involving the lumbar spine is not a common cause of back pain. However, in people who have a prior history of cancer, for example, in the breast or prostate, or who have weight loss or loss of appetite along with back pain cancer needs to be considered.

Night pain can be a clue to cancer in the spine. A benign tumor called osteoid osteoma, which most often affects young people, causes pain that tends to respond well to aspirin. Multiple myeloma is a malignancy that occurs when the plasma cells in the bone marrow begin spreading uncontrollably. It is most common in older people, and can cause pain in many parts of the spine. When tumor or infection are suspected, blood tests may be ordered, including a CBC , sedimentation rate , and protein electrophoresis .

Is Electrical Stimulation Good For Neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. It affects nearly 50% of people with diabetes throughout their life.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is a nonpharmacological intervention for people suffering from peripheral neuropathy, especially when associated with diabetes. It doesnt involve taking medications or undergoing surgery, and it can be a safe option to supplement treatment plans or provide sufficient relief on its own.

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Lower Right Back Pain And Emergency Symptoms

In some cases, lower right back pain can be one sign of a serious condition needing attention from a health professional. For example, the following potentially serious conditions may include lower right back pain as one of the symptoms:

• Appendicitis. This condition occurs when the appendix, located in the lower right hand side of the abdomen, becomes inflammation and/or ruptures. It may cause sharp, intense lower right back pain and/or pain on the lower right side of the abdomen. Symptoms vary and may include nausea, vomiting, or fever. Symptoms may occur suddenly or develop gradually.
• Cauda equina syndrome. This condition occurs when the nerve roots exiting the bottom of the spinal canal in the lower back region become compressed and inflamed. Symptoms vary with cauda equina syndrome, but typically will include some degree of bowel and/or bladder dysfunction, as well as sharp pain and significant weakness, numbness, or tingling in the lower body.

  See Cauda Equina Syndrome Symptoms

Patients need to use their judgment in seeking medical attention as a general rule, it is advisable to see a doctor if the back pain is severe to the point of interrupting daily functions, such as walking, standing, or sleeping, and/or if intense back pain comes on suddenly and does not seem to subside with rest or pain medications.