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What Causes Pain On The Left Side Of Your Back

Gallbladder Dysfunction Or Inflammation

3 causes of lower back pain on left side

Gallbladder dysfunction or inflammation is generally characterized by severe indigestion, especially following meals. It usually leads to right-sided back pain and upper right abdominal pain. Around 14.2 million women and 6.3 million men between the ages of 20 and 74 have gallbladder disease at any one time.

Hip Adduction Isometric Hold

During physical therapy you will learn range of motion exercises and strengthening exercises. Many of these exercises youll eventually be able to do yourself at home. Treatment will also focus on stretching and keeping or increasing your joint flexibility. You should always check with your doctor or physical therapist before trying any exercises so you dont make your symptoms worse or cause additional injury.

Why Youre Having Lower Back Pain On The Left Side Above Your Buttocks

Home » Why Youre Having Lower Back Pain on The Left Side Above Your Buttocks

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Around 84 percent of adults reported experiencing lower back pain at some point in their lives. The pain could be felt on both sides of the spinal column or on just one side of the back, then extends to the buttock region. It could be the constant kind of pain or the type that comes and goes, ranging from a dull ache to a sharp and stabbing one. The exact location of the back pain, which can also include buttock pain, is a major clue to the precise cause of the problem.

So why exactly are you having lower back pain on the left side above your buttocks? Your lower back is made of a complex system beneath. Below the five vertebrae and the discs between lies the bones, the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together in place, and the tendons that attach the muscles to your spinal column. Located near your lower back are your kidneys, colon, pancreas, and uterus. Any one of these can be the cause of your lower back pain. Its important to remember this when determining the culprit behind your pain.

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Red Flags And Worrying Symptoms

You should seek medical help immediately if you have back pain and also have:

  • numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
  • difficulty peeing
  • loss of bladder or bowel control peeing or pooing yourself
  • a swelling or a deformity in your back
  • if the pain is coming from the top of your back, between your shoulders, rather than your lower back
  • if your pain started after a serious accident, such as a car accident
  • if your pain does not improve after resting or is worse at night
  • if your pain is so bad you’re having problems sleeping
  • if your pain is made worse when sneezing, coughing or pooing

These symptoms could be a sign of something more serious and need to be checked urgently. It’s also a good idea to see your doctor if:

  • the pain is very severe or gets worse over time
  • you’re worried about the pain or struggling to cope
  • the pain does not start to improve within a few weeks
  • the pain stops you from doing your day-to-day activities

If you don’t have these symptoms, but are concerned or uncomfortable due to your back pain, you should still see a doctor. They will be able to discuss your symptoms and talk to you about treatment options.

These might include self-help techniques, such as low-impact

Your doctor may decide to offer you medication, such as an

Common Causes Of Back Pain Under The Ribs

Sharp, Stabbing Pain In Lower Left Side Of Back / Lower Left Back Pain ...

Rib and spine pain that affects the lower, middle or upper back is very common among the general population and can affect men and women. According to a report published in the journal Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, back pain is one of the major sources of pain that people suffer.3

The Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy reported on some of the most common causes of aching pains and discomfort in your upper or middle back. Some of these include:4

  • Pulling, straining or tearing a muscle. Lifting heavy items, overreaching, or being out of shape can cause damage to your intercostal muscles or back muscles.
  • Herniated disc. Damage to your spine could cause a disc to rupture and press on a nerve. This can send shooting or burning pains around your ribs or cause lower back pain.
  • Degenerative diseases. Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or joint wear and tear can cause pain in your back under the ribs.
  • Rib injury. Any kind of trauma to your upper body that affects your rib cage, spine, muscles, or ligaments can cause mild to severe back pain. If the blunt trauma damages an internal organ, then this could also be a source of deep aches in your back under your ribs.
  • Being overweight. Carrying around excess weight puts strain on your lower and middle back which can injure muscles and ligaments in your back. If you are overweight, you are also at greater risk of herniating a disc.

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Why Can Pain Be Felt In One Part Of The Lower Back Left

It can be a little confusing when you experience pain on just one side of your lower back. The pain you’re feeling may be due to something minor whereby your body can rectify the problem on its own, or it may be an indication of something more serious.

Unilateral or one-sided back pain is a relatively common problem. When you experience pain on either side of your back, left or right, it may stem from issues with the organs in your pelvic, abdominal, or mid-back area. The pain may indicate inflammation, irritation, or infection.

The organs that are typically associated with this type of back pain can include:

  • Abdominal aorta

Many abdominal or pelvic structure problems can occur and lead to one-sided back pain. Below you’ll learn which internal organs can cause you to experience lower back pain whether it’s on the left side or the right side.

Arthritis Of The Spine

Arthritis of the spine the slow degeneration of the spinal joints is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. All of us experience wear and tear as we age, and it is normal for your lower back to start acting up as you get older. As the cartilage breaks down between the spinal joints, surrounding tissues may become inflamed. The inflammation and the thinning of cartilage increase friction in the joints, which may cause pain in the lower back.

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You Feel Pain In The Side Too

Anyone whos had a kidney stone knows theyre quite agonizingand they may cause upper back pain, says Dr. Ghannad. Its unlikely that this is the only symptom youll notice though. You may also feel severe pain in your side and back below your ribs, the Mayo Clinic notes. Discomfort while peeing or red- or brown-hued urine may be other clues. The best advice? If pain is severe and persistent, its a good idea to be evaluated by a physician, says Ghannad.

Hip/groin Pull Or Tear

Lower Back Pain Left Side | Causes of Lower Left Side Back Pain

Symptoms of Hip & Groin Pulls or Tears

Pulling or tearing your groin can be quite painful and inconvenient. You are likely experiencing hip and/or groin pain and swelling. The pain is typically dull and achy and can range from within the hip, to outside of the hip and groin. There could be problems with the muscles, ligaments or tendons within the left hip.

Causes of Groin & Hip Pulls

This is caused by a strain to the hip abductors or the muscles that pull the legs together. These muscles are attached to the thigh bones at the level of the hip and run down the side of the thigh. This injury occurs when the area is overused or overstretched, and is common amongst athletes.

Treatments for Hip & Groin Tears

Lucky for you, hips do a good job of healing on their own with the allowed rest. Rest and ice are the top two treatments for pulled groins. Added compression can assist in bringing blood flow to the area to encourage healing. We offer a wide array of hip and groin supports to provide you with the needed compression.

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Sharp Stabbing Pain On Left Side After C Section 5 Causes

About one-third of mothers in the United States give birth by Cesarean section or C-section. The mother receives an incision in the abdomen and uterus during this procedure. There are various reasons why obstetricians recommend C-sections rather than standard delivery.

C-section is an invasive surgery, and there are many things to expect post-surgery, such as vaginal discharge and breast swelling. Some women experience sharp stabbing pain on their left side. The possible causes include muscle spasms, nerve damage, or infection.

The first few weeks after a strenuous surgery such as a C-section are critical for recovery because of the complications that might arise. Hence, experiencing excruciating pain post-surgery can worry many mothers. Knowing what caused it might help relieve this anxiety.

Poor Posture And Muscle Deconditioning

When you sit or stand with poor posture, your muscles have to work harder to support your spine in its proper alignment. Misalignment of the spine can cause muscle tension and inflammation, leading to pain.

Muscle deconditioning can also contribute to upper back pain. When the muscles in your back are weak, they do not support your spine and absorb shock as well.

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Shingles Or Other Conditions

Flank pain that is accompanied by a rash on one side of your body can be a sign of shingles, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Liver disease or gastrointestinal problems may also cause pain in your flank.

If you have flank pain that doesnt go away, is severe or is accompanied by other symptoms, its a good idea to see your doctor.

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Complications Related To Sciatica

Causes of backache and pain, illustration

If you develop a loss of bladder or bowel control, contact your doctor right away. This can be a sign of a medical emergency that requires surgery to avoid permanent damage. Fortunately, this complication is rare. Most cases of sciatica go away within a few days or weeks and cause no lasting harm.

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What Are The Symptoms

The symptoms of sacroiliitis can look similar to other lower back issues. However, it is specifically an inflammation in the joint. The more common symptom is pain in the lower back, hip, buttocks, and down the legs. This is sometimes accompanied by a low-grade fever.

The pain will usually be worse after standing for a long time, going up or down stairs, or running or walking with long strides.

The causes of sacroiliitis can include:

  • damage to the sacroiliac joints from falling or after a car accident
  • joints becoming loose during pregnancy to prepare for birth
  • an altered gait during pregnancy
  • osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
  • an infected sacroiliac joint

You’re Having Problems With Your Bowels Or Urination

If your back pain is paired with a loss of control over your bowels or urination, then it’s time to seek help immediately at a local emergency room. These symptoms point to cauda equina syndrome, where the nerves in the lower spine have become paralyzed. While rare, this syndrome can be permanently damaging to the nerves if left untreated. If you experience these symptoms, especially accompanied by numbness in the legs, then you may need surgery to decompress the nerves and preserve their overall function.

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Issues With The Left Lung

Infections or inflammation that affect your left lung will also cause pain under your left ribs in your back. Pneumonia, pleurisy, or a collapsed lung can cause sharp, intensely jabbing pains in your back.

There are many natural ways to cleanse your lungs and help prevent acute or chronic lung infections developing.

How Is Low Back Pain Diagnosed

How to Fix Lower Back Pain off to the Side

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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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.

Who Should I See For Lower Back Pain

Your primary care physician knows you best and should be your first contact for lower back pain. If he or she is unable to diagnose or treat the issue, you may get referred to a specialist, such as a rehabilitation physician . These specialists practice a comprehensive approach to lower back pain, and can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that have lower back pain as a symptom.

Later, you may get referred to a physical therapist, a chiropractor or another practitioner depending on the nature of your back pain. The good news is that surgery is rarely needed for lower back pain. Only about one in ten patients needs lower back surgery, Chhatre says.

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Pinched Nerve Or Cervical Radiculopathy

My pain is radiating down the left side of my neck

Symptoms for Pinched Nerves

If you have a pinched or inflamed nerve in your upper left back your symptoms are most likely pain that is sharp and radiating down your neck, numbness or burning sensation, or the feeling of weakness on the upper left back.

Pinched Nerve Causes

The most common reason you are experiencing neck and shoulder pain on the left side is because of a pinched or inflamed nerve that occurs within your spine. Your nerves are the main carriers of information from the brain to the rest of the body, and vice-versa. If a nerve is pinched or inflamed, the signal of this information sending is interrupted in some way. A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues. This can be caused by a variety of things, including compression, constriction, or overstretching of the nerve. Pinched nerves can happen as a result of things like a herniated disc, degenerative disc, and bony growths.

Treatments for Pinched Nerve

If youre suffering from a pinched or inflamed nerve we highly recommend rest for a faster recovery. Along with rest, some use medication, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medication to tame the inflamed nerves. Its also recommended that you isolate your neck and keep it still during your recovery time. Neck collars or immobilizers are a great way to help lead you towards a faster recovery by isolation of the neck.

How To Treat Lower Back Pain On The Left Side

Upper Left Back Pain: Causes and Treatments

If your problem doesnt require hospital treatment, home treatments are usually enough to address the problem. Time, rest, and pain relievers should do the trick. Self-care treatments include ice and hot packs, topical pain-relieving lotion or cream, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and limiting activities that can cause or aggravate your pain.

If your condition requires medical treatment, your potential pain relief solutions include physical therapy, muscle relaxants, nerve blocks, and anticonvulsant medication for certain nerve issues. A lumbar spine steroid injection can provide you temporary relief from bothersome pain. Stronger pain medications include hydrocodone which will certainly come in handy when ibuprofen cant handle your chronic pain. Now do take note that these drugs can be habit-forming, so always stick to your doctors instructions when taking them.

If you have kidney problems, you may need antibiotics or treatment to break up or remove kidney stones. If your condition is that severe, surgery may be the only option for you.

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