Your Pain Extends To Other Body Parts
If you’re experiencing severe back pain that is coupled with pain in other areas such as shooting pain down your leg then you should see a doctor. This could be a sign that you have sciatica, a form of pain that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back and through the buttocks before branching down each leg. This condition usually results from a herniated disk. A doctor will be able to offer a variety of ways that you can relieve this pain.
Low Back Pain Symptoms And Signs
Pain in the lumbosacral area is the primary symptom of low back pain.
- The pain may radiate down the front, side, or back of your leg, or it may be confined to the low back.
- The pain may become worse with activity.
- Occasionally, the pain may be worse at night or with prolonged sitting such as on a long car trip.
- You may have numbness or weakness in the part of the leg that receives its nerve supply from a compressed nerve.
- This can cause an inability to plantar flex the foot. This means you would be unable to stand on your toes or bring your foot downward. This occurs when the first sacral nerve is compressed or injured.
- Another example would be the inability to raise your big toe upward. This results when the fifth lumbar nerve is compromised.
Lower Back Pain From Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition that manifests from inflammation in the lining of the large intestine, or colon. Ulcerative colitis typically provokes ongoing diarrhea, which may contain blood or pus. Ulcerative colitis can also produce abdominal discomfort and cramping that radiates to one or both sides of the back. Other common symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis consist of appetite loss, nausea, frequent and painful bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, and anemia. Unfortunately, there currently is no cure for ulcerative colitis. Nonetheless, patients can still receive treatment with the goal of achieving remission, meaning a period with few to no symptoms.
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Where Can I Get More Information
For more information on neurological disorders or research programs funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, contact the Institute’s Brain Resources and Information Network at:
Office of Communications and Public LiaisonNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNational Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history.
All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.
Arthritis Of The Lower Right Back
Pain in your lower right back could be caused by arthritis that is causing inflammation in your sacroiliac joints or pelvic bone.
Ankylosing spondylitis is an arthritic condition that causes low back pain on one or the other side of your back. Over time, vertebrae in the spine fuse together and this creates tension and pain in your lower back. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that low back pain caused by ankylosing spondylitis is often felt after periods of inactivity.9
Lumbar spinal stenosis is another arthritic condition that causes chronic cramping pains in the lower back. Dr. Jason Eck on eMedicneHealth says that other symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis are sharp pains when walking as well as tingling and possibly numbness in the legs.10
Physical therapy can help relieve the chronic pain that arthritis causes in the lower back. This can also help reduce low back pain while you are sleeping and help you get a better nights sleep.
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What Causes Lower Back Pain On The Right Side
Nearly 70 percent of adults may experience back pain at some point in their lives.
In fact, Lower back is the leading cause of disability on a global scale. When that pain occurs in specific locations, it can sometimes be a clue to its underlying cause.
Pain in the lower right side of the back can point to a variety conditionsincluding kidney issues, infections, appendicitis, and even pregnancy.
In this article, Ill outline some of the potential causes of back pain on the lower right side.
Ill also help you determine if your pain is an emergency, and when to talk to your primary care provider or another healthcare professional.
Lower Back And Stomach Pain: Possible Causes And Treatments
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
Lower back and stomach pain is an unpleasant and worrying experience for any person. Because there are a number of organs in the abdominal and lower back area, there are many different reasons for having pain there. Pain in the stomach and lower back can be caused by constipation, stones in the kidney or gallbladder, or a cyst. However, sometimes the pain could be a sign of a more serious condition like appendicitis or even a heart attack.
Lower back and abdominal pain should never be ignored. Some home remedies can help you find relief from some of the symptoms of lower abdomen and back pain. However, if your symptoms last for more than a few days, or you experience intense or severe pain in your stomach and back, you should visit your doctor for a checkup. This is especially true if the pain is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, severe cramps, or pains in your chest.
Lets look at the different reasons why you can experience lower back and stomach pain. This will help you find the root cause of your pain and discomfort and discover if there are any natural home remedies to give you relief.
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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 .
Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy
Some women experience pelvic pain during pregnancy. Pelvic pain can affect one or both sides of the lower back.
This pain may also affect the perineum or radiate to the thighs. It may worsen while walking, standing up, or rolling onto the side.
The following tips may help reduce pelvic pain during pregnancy:
- doing exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor
- stretching
- avoiding standing for too long
- getting plenty of rest
Women can also try applying ice or heat packs to help ease the pain. OTC acetaminophen is generally safe to take during pregnancy. However, it is advisable to speak to a doctor before taking any medications while pregnant.
Testicular torsion can cause back pain on the lower right side in males.
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Nonspecific Low Back Pain
This is the most common type of back pain. The majority of cases of sudden-onset low back pain are classed as nonspecific. This is the type of back pain that most people will have at some point in their lives. It is called nonspecific because it is usually not clear what is actually causing the pain. In other words, there is no specific problem or disease that can be identified as the cause of the pain. The severity of the pain can vary from mild to severe. This type of back pain is discussed further below.
Liver Abscesses Or Cysts
A liver abscess is a pus-filled mass inside the liver. Liver abscesses are not common and often develop due to bacterial or amoeba infection .
Also, Your liver may contain cysts . Most liver cysts are congenital .
Liver abscess causes severe symptoms with fever and severe pain . On the other hand, liver cysts are often asymptomatic unless large in size or multiple.
Learn more about liver abscesses and liver cysts.
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Back Muscle Sprain Or Strain
Muscle strains and sprains are some of the most common cause of lower right back pain, says Rahul Shah, MD, a spine surgeon with Premier Orthapaedic Spine Associates.
Sprains occur when you overstretch the ligaments in the back, while strains happen when you overstretch a tendon. If this happens on the right side, you’ll experience pain there.
“Folks are prone to sprains when not stretching or warming up properly before exercise, twisting or jerking the body, and lifting heavy objects,” Shah says.
If you strain or sprain your back you’ll likely experience a dull, aching pain, some swelling or bruising, and a loss of your range of motion. The pain often gets worse when you use the muscle you’ve injured.
What to do about it: In most cases you can care for a strained or sprained muscle at home by resting, gentle stretching, icing, and managing pain with over-the-counter medications including acetaminophen or naproxen, says Shah.
Muscle strains and sprains can last for several weeks. If at-home remedies aren’t working and the pain is keeping you from normal daily activities, it’s time to visit a doctor. Once you’re back to normal, strengthen your core and stretch regularly to prevent future injuries.
Lower Back Pain Caused By Infection
Infections of the spine are not common, but they do occur. The doctor will ask about the usual signs and symptoms of infection, especially when back pain is accompanied by fever and/or chills. Dialysis patients, IV drug users, and patients who have recently had surgery, trauma, or skin infections are at risk for infections of the spine. Infections of the spine can be caused by a number of agents, most commonly bacteria. Doctors will first test for the presence of bacteria, then give antibiotics.
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Common Causes Of Chronic Lower Back Pain
“Chronic lower back pain is less likely to be caused by injury to your muscles and ligaments and more likely to be due to issues with the lumbar disks, nerves, joints or vertebrae,” says Dr. Palmer. “There are several potential causes of chronic pain in the lower back.”
In general, osteoarthritis and degenerative disk disease are the underlying cause of many types of chronic lower back pain. However, lower back pain can also be caused by accident-related trauma and acute stress.
Lower Back Pain Right Side Above The Buttockscauses
When you feel pain in your back, its always best to see a doctor. Your symptoms might be due specifically or not just localized around one area of the spine and could indicate an issue with any number of other structures throughout our bodies. Here are some common causes
Strain & Sprain
When you lift something heavy or twist, it is common for your back muscles to get stretched. This can cause swelling and difficulty moving in the affected area of muscle tissue because theres been some tearing/stretching involved with this type of injury thus creating an old term known as back spasms.
There are many ways to avoid strain
- When lifting heavy objects and improper technique can lead you into trouble fast.
- Dont twist, jerk, or awkward bend the body position as this will increase your risk for muscle strain.
- Before each workout session begins, make light weightlifting movements such as squatting low bar squatting with an empty barbell on the floor.
The best way to treat a mild sprain or strain is with rest, ice packs, and OTC pain relievers.
This problem can also be treated with gentle massage, physical therapy, stretching exercise, electrical muscle stimulation, and surgery.
For more severe injuries, it may be necessary for you to visit your doctor, who will prescribe muscle relaxants if needed.
Appendix
Kidney Infection & Stones
Sciatica
Ulcerative Colitis
Osteoarthritis
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When To See A Doctor For Low Back Pain On Right Side
It can be a challenge to pinpoint the exact cause of aching low back pain that just affects your right side. Usually, with the help of home remedies, you can ease the pain and reduce the impact that back pain has on your daily activities.
Dr. Louise Chang on WebMD says that you should visit a medical professional for low back pain in the following circumstances:28
- Low back pain is accompanied with a fever.
- The back pain was caused by a severe trauma and home remedies dont help to relieve the pain.
- You have numbness and tingling in your right leg or left leg.
- A herniated disc or injury to your spine result in loss of bladder and bowel control.
- The low back pain on your right side is severe and unrelenting and affects your daily activities.
- You have chronic low back pain that lasts for longer than 6 weeks.
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When To Seek Medical Care For Back Pain
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has identified 11 red flagsthat doctors look for when evaluating a person with back pain. The focus of these red flags is to detect fractures , infections, or tumors of the spine. Presence of any of the following red flags associated with low back pain should prompt a visit to your doctor as soon as possible for complete evaluation.
- Recent significant trauma such as a fall from a height, motor vehicle accident, or similar incident
- Recent mild trauma in those older than 50 years of age: A fall down a few steps or slipping and landing on the buttocks may be considered mild trauma.
- History of prolonged steroid use: People with asthma, COPD, and rheumatic disorders, for example, may be given this type of medication.
- Anyone with a history of osteoporosis: An elderly woman with a history of a hip fracture, for example, would be considered high risk.
- Any person older than 70 years of age: There is an increased incidence of cancer, infections, and abdominal causes of the pain.
- Prior history of cancer
- Unexplained weight loss
The presence of any of the above would justify a visit to a hospital’s emergency department, particularly if your family doctor is unable to evaluate you within the next 24 hours.
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What Causes Pain In The Right
Right-hand side pain of your lower back is caused by conditions that affect your muscles and the interconnected structures of your spinal column including your facet joints, discs and nerve roots as well as some serious health problems.
Muscle strain is the most common reason for low back pain and it can cause pain mainly on the lower right-hand side of your back. A muscle strain occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn through twisting, lifting heavy objects or if it encounters an impact such as a sports injury or car accident. Typically, the pain from a muscle strain feels better within a few weeks and does not require medical attention.
Lower right back pain can also have orthopaedic and neurological causes including:
- Kidney disorders – kidney infections and stones can cause pain on one side of your back.
- Colon disorders – such as inflammation of your appendix and inner walls of your large intestines can manifest as back pain.
- Female reproductive problems – including endometriosis and benign growths within the walls of your uterus can sometimes cause back pain.
- Cancer tumours – may cause pain that begins in your abdomen and radiates to your back, sometimes on one side.
What Home Remedies For Lower Back Pain Actually Work
Unless youve had a major injury, such as a fall or car accident, you probably dont need to rush to the doctor for back pain. You may want to try these simple self-care strategies first.
Avoid bed rest. When lower back pain strikes, people often think complete rest will relieve back pain. However, a review of many clinical studies found that patients who retreated to bed actually experienced more pain and recovered more slowly than patients who stayed fairly active
Use ice and/or heat. Many people find that using ice or cold packs for periods of up to 20 minutes at a time helps reduce pain and swelling. Always wrap ice or a cold pack in a thin towel before putting it on your body so you dont injure your skin. You may also find that heat, such as a heating pad or warm bath, eases pain. Ice is recommended in the first 48 hours after injury then you can try a combo of ice and heat.
Try over-the-counter remedies. Short-term use of OTC pain relievers, such as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and naproxen, may ease your lower back pain. Also consider OTC creams, gels, patches, or sprays applied to the skin. They stimulate the nerves in the skin to provide feelings of warmth or cold in order to dull the sensation of pain.
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