Left lower back pain: causes, what to do, how to treat

When back pain appears on the left, many people begin to suspect spinal disease. But not only pathology of the spinal column can cause unpleasant symptoms. Almost 95% of people, after 35 years, begin to experience back pain.

There are many reasons that can cause it: improper functioning of internal organs, colds, hypothermia, physical inactivity, incorrect posture and many others. You should not start treatment if you have pain in the left side of your back. Only a competent specialist will correctly recognize the pathology and prescribe treatment. In the meantime, it’s worth taking a closer look at the possible causes of the disease.

Localization of pain and its causes

Back-related ailments in 90% of cases indicate that treatment of the spine and joints is required.
Many people have problems with the spine; patients may not notice any discomfort for years until the pain becomes unbearable. However, in a situation where sensations arise in the left side, it may not be necessary to treat the back and spine, but to visit another doctor. The problem may be kidney disease. It is with disorders in the kidneys that sensations arise on one side - on the right or on the left. If it hurts just above the lower back on the left, you should contact a nephrologist or urologist - he will prescribe tests. The sooner the patient sees a doctor, the better. When you have pain in your left side behind above your lower back, you don’t have to wait for months or years, otherwise you’ll have to resort to an emergency solution later.

If the left side hurts above the lower back, this may also indicate pancreatitis, aortic aneurysm, stomach ulcer and other diseases.

Spinal diseases

The main source of pain is still considered to be problems with the spine.

There are such violations as:

• osteochondrosis;
• spondylosis and spondyloarthrosis;
• herniated discs;
• scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis.

To understand the cause of pain in the spinal column, you need to know its structure.

All vertebrae are connected to each other by movable joints, in addition, between them there are special shock-absorbing pads - intervertebral discs. The discs consist of an outer annulus fibrosus and an inner nucleus pulposus. It is thanks to the discs that the vertebrae cushion and do not rub against each other.

Facet joints are movable joints, thanks to which the vertebrae are mobile and a person can move his body in different directions.

Different parts of the spine are subject to different loads; the lumbar region suffers most often.

Osteochondrosis is a disease during which thinning of the intervertebral discs or their complete abrasion occurs. This condition is more susceptible to older people who have hormonal imbalances, poor circulation, or a lack of nutrients that the disc needs. But the disease is getting younger every year. Due to an unhealthy lifestyle, sedentary work and other factors, osteochondrosis also develops in members of the younger generation.

When the discs become thin, the vertebrae begin to touch each other, causing inflammation over time, which leads to aching, burning pain. If such damage to the vertebrae occurs in the lumbar region or lower part of the thoracic region, then the person experiences pain in the back in the hypochondrium and back.

Spondylosis and spondyloarthrosis are complications of osteochondrosis. The diseases are characterized by the proliferation of bone tissue, which leads to the formation of osteophytes. When the discs wear out, a compensatory function is activated in the body, bone tissue begins to grow, which tries to support the vertebrae. In some cases, osteophytes do not grow much, only forming spines that can pinch the nerve endings of the spinal cord. In other cases, the bone growths grow so large that they are fastened together, forming an immovable brace, due to which the flexibility of the spine in this area is impaired.

Intervertebral disc herniation. With various injuries or loads in the spine, changes can occur, due to which the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc first protrudes beyond the vertebrae, and then a hernia can occur - a rupture of the ring with the nucleus pulposus coming out. In this case, the nerve endings are affected, which become irritated, and the person experiences severe pain.

Scoliosis, kyphosis and lordosis are types of curvature of the spine that lead to a change in the normal position of the vertebrae, as well as compression of internal organs, due to which a person may also suffer from vague pain in the left hypochondrium from the back.

The pathological condition is manifested by left-sided pain syndrome from the posterior spinal zone. The pain is burning, acute, aching, and periodically bothers you. Does not last long or torments a person for a long time. The color of the skin in the segment where the nerve is affected changes, this area becomes less sensitive, the person finds it difficult to breathe, and requires hospital treatment.

Increased pain on the side with intercostal neuralgia is observed during physical work, as well as when a person coughs or breathes deeply.

Who's hurting?

You can understand what exactly is bothering you by the nature of the sensations. Taking into account a number of nuances, the doctor can make a fairly accurate diagnosis at the appointment. But the patient will still be sent for examination to confirm or refute the doctor’s verdict. Diagnostics provide new information about the patient’s health status. At the first consultation, the nature of the pain is taken into account:

• A nagging pain on the left side above the lower back often signals the likelihood of pyelonephritis. The pain is dull and not very pronounced.
• If the pain in the left side behind above the lower back is acute, it may be colic or spasm due to urolithiasis.
• When the kidneys become inflamed, irritation occurs, which manifests itself in constant pain. They can be confused with pain in the lower back.
• When the source of problems is in the middle, then the problems are most likely in the spine. In this case, it can radiate to the lower extremities.
• If the sensations intensify with movement, then it may be radiculitis or osteochondrosis.

It is important not to make mistakes when carrying out diagnostics and to correctly determine the location of unpleasant sensations and the nature of the ailment. In this case, it will be possible to make a fairly accurate diagnosis at a preliminary appointment.

Pain in the left side behind in the area of ​​the kidney and lower back

Pain in the left side behind in the area of ​​the kidney and lower back

Any pain indicates that not everything is in order in the body. It is especially worth paying attention to frequently recurring or persistent pain. In this case, you should not postpone visiting a doctor, since only a specialist will be able to correctly identify the cause and prescribe appropriate treatment. Based on the location, intensity and nature of the pain syndrome, as well as accompanying symptoms, you can draw your own conclusions about which organ the problems started with. So, if the pain is localized in the left half of the back, namely the kidney area, then problems may be associated with the urinary system, spleen or intestines.

Probable Causes

Pain in the left side behind most often indicates heart disease. If it is localized just below the scapula, it may indicate the following diseases:

• pericarditis;
• angina pectoris;
• myocardial infarction.

Moreover, if the problem is related to a heart attack, then sharp, sharp pain sensations are usually localized in the chest area. But they can affect the left half of the body, namely the lower back, or under the shoulder blade. That is why it is very difficult to determine without diagnosis what causes such pain. However, the following accompanying symptoms may indicate that the problems are related to the heart and not the kidneys:

Important: if the accompanying symptoms listed above appear, you must urgently call an ambulance.

Pain in the kidney area

If the left side behind in the kidney area hurts, then this may be caused by ailments of the urinary system, namely:

An attack of so-called renal colic due to urolithiasis. As a rule, nagging, mild pain is accompanied by urolithiasis at the initial stage. If the stones have just begun to form, the person may feel a dull pain from time to time. If the stone begins to move along the urinary tract, severe pain will appear, which is called renal colic. Moreover, its intensity and localization do not depend on changes in body position. No less severe pain will occur if the urinary duct is blocked by a calculus. Associated symptoms:

• blood in urine;
• temperature increase;
• deterioration in general health;
• Problems with urine excretion often occur.

Most often, pain in the left side behind with kidney problems is caused by pyelonephritis. This inflammatory disease of the pelvis of the organ is caused by infections. In addition to pressing and aching pain, other characteristic symptoms are also noted:

• temperature increase;
• general malaise;
• nausea and vomiting;
• no appetite;
• swelling in the morning;
• pale skin;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• pain in the process of urination.

Glomerulonephritis. In this disease, the inflammatory process is localized in the area of ​​the renal tubules and glomeruli. Often the cause of the disease is streptococcal infection. Most often, the problem is localized on both kidneys, but unilateral damage can also occur. There are other signs of this disease:

• fatigue, lethargy;
• pallor;
• severe swelling in the morning and weight gain of the patient;
• a sharp increase in blood pressure to high levels;
• decrease in daily urine volume (less than a liter);
• Due to the ingress of blood, the urine takes on the color of meat slop.

Pain in the left side may also be due to thrombosis of the arteries of the kidneys. In this case, the symptoms are very similar to hypertension. If a cholesterol plaque clogs the artery duct, then due to the disruption of blood flow, a disruption occurs in the process of urine formation. This causes aching pain and increases blood pressure. Thrombosis of the renal arteries. If a detached blood clot blocks the lumen of the artery, then severe pain occurs, radiating to other parts of the body. Associated symptoms:

• constipation, vomiting and nausea;
• increased blood pressure;
• heat;
• decrease in the amount of urine or its absence.

Nephroptosis can cause pain in the left side behind. Nephroptosis is called prolapse of the kidney. This condition can be caused by various reasons. When the artery prolapses, the kidneys can be compressed, which causes poor circulation in the organ and pain. Also, pain can occur due to kinking of the ureter and disruption of the outflow of urine. The main feature of this condition is increased pain in an upright position and the ineffectiveness of using analgesics. Kidney cysts can cause nagging pain from the affected organ. These pathological neoplasms can be acquired or congenital. Associated symptoms: increased blood pressure, blood in the urine, frequent infections of the urinary system. But more often they exist asymptomatically, and pain occurs in the following cases:

• if a large cyst puts pressure on surrounding tissues and organs;
• overstretching of the kidney capsule;
• disturbance of urine outflow.

behind can be present for a long time with kidney cancer

Malignant and benign neoplasms of the organ. In the initial stages, these pathologies do not produce any symptoms. The first sign of trouble may be heaviness in the kidney area. Dull pain in the left side behind can be present for a long time with kidney cancer. In this case, at first the pain is very mild, but as the disease progresses, its intensity increases. With kidney cancer, there are accompanying signs of the disease:

• lack of appetite;
• drowsiness;
• increased fatigue;
• the patient loses weight;
• general malaise;
• anemia;
• pale skin;
• blood in urine;
• constant low-grade fever;
• high pressure.

Hydronephrosis. With this disease, urine stagnates in the renal pelvis and causes overstretching of the renal pelvis. There are different causes of hydronephrosis. In this case, painful sensations can radiate to other parts of the body and legs. Very often the symptoms of the disease are confused with problems of the digestive tract. Frequent infections of the urinary system may indirectly indicate the presence of this pathology. Children experience bloating, nausea, vomiting and digestive disorders. Often severe and long-lasting hydronephrosis causes developmental delays in children. Kidney tuberculosis at a later stage can cause stabbing pain in the area of ​​the affected organ. At the initial stage, there is no pain, there is only a feeling of general weakness, lethargy and increased fatigue. If pain appears, then in terms of intensity and spontaneity it can be compared with renal colic. In addition, there are accompanying signs of the disease:

• blood and pus in the urine;
• cloudy urine.

Pain on the left just above the lower back

If pain occurs in the left side behind in the lumbar region, or rather, in the upper part, then they may not necessarily be associated with the kidneys. In this case, aching pain may indicate the following diseases:

• osteochondrosis;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• gastritis and ulcers;
• pneumonia;
• various ailments of the digestive system;
• spinal injuries;
• physiological conditions during pregnancy;
• after previously suffering from tuberculosis.

Pain in the hypochondrium when inhaling

If pain is localized under the lower ribs on the left and intensifies when inhaling, then they can be associated with heart disease, pneumonia, hernia, rupture of the spleen, diseases of the esophagus, and muscle pathologies. In this case, the cause of the painful syndrome can often be identified by the nature of the pain:

• Severe, sharp pain often appears unexpectedly. It may indicate life-threatening conditions and diseases such as rupture of the renal pelvis or spleen. Since these conditions threaten the patient’s life, you should immediately call an ambulance.
• Prolonged dull pain may indicate the presence of a chronic disease. They can be due to chronic kidney problems, gastritis or pancreatitis.
• Pulsating, incessant pain indicates the presence of a chronic inflammatory process in any organ. More often this is associated with chronic pyelonephritis, colitis, and peptic ulcer. If such pain occurs frequently, it may indicate a pre-infarction condition.

Aching pain in the lower back

Pain syndrome with such localization can be acute or dull in intensity. Moreover, it most often indicates problems with the spine, especially if there are no other symptoms characteristic of kidney diseases.

Lower back pain can be caused by the following diseases and conditions:

• osteochondrosis;
• excessive physical activity;
• prolonged sitting;
• intervertebral hernia;
• stenosis;
• spondylolisthesis;
• spinal arthritis;
• spine fracture;
• tumors of the spinal column;
• osteomyelitis.

Diagnosis for lower back pain

When there is pain on the left side of the spine above the lower back, you need to undergo a diagnostic examination. The doctor can check using the edge of the palm by tapping the lumbar region. Based on the results, he draws preliminary conclusions. When the problem is in the kidneys, such tapping is accompanied by an internal dull pain.

You can understand what pain is on the left side above the lower back after an X-ray of the lumbar region. The images clearly show intervertebral hernias, signs of osteochondrosis, and radiculitis. The patient is also offered to donate blood for a general analysis. Kidney diseases are usually accompanied by:

• anemia;
• anemia;
• high ESR.

Also, during diagnosis, it is recommended to take a urine test. Kidney disease here will be indicated by an increased salt content, leukocyturia, increased or decreased density of the composition. There are other signs of organ dysfunction. When there is pain in the back left above the lower back, it is worth undergoing such a test.

Another fairly accurate diagnostic method is ultrasound. This type of study is prescribed when there is a suspicion of a disease of the internal organs (for example, kidneys). Ultrasound diagnostics can detect an increase in organ volume, the presence of stones and other disorders.

Treatment options

When a man has lower back pain on the left side, treatment is determined taking into account the cause of the discomfort.

When a doctor's help is vital

An alarming symptom is numbness in the groin area and cramps in the limbs.
It is recommended to immediately consult a physician if the following symptoms are present:

• progression of pain intensity with irradiation to other parts of the body;
• pain that cannot be controlled with medication;
• the appearance of symptoms characteristic of paresthesia of the lower extremities;
• cramping syndrome in the legs;
• erectile dysfunction, impaired potency;
• the presence of blood in the urine.

Urgent surgery may be required, so delaying going to the doctor is not recommended.

Spine pathologies

With osteochondrosis, the pain will be constant, which will require complex treatment and the use of painkillers.
Local and oral painkillers help reduce the intensity of pain symptoms and eliminate the syndrome. In severe cases, blockades with painkillers are placed. The latter are injected intramuscularly into the area where it hurts.

There is little symptomatic treatment. For diseases of the spinal column, an integrated approach is needed, therefore, along with painkillers, the following is prescribed:

• drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors, vitamins, etc.;
• spinal column traction;
• physiotherapeutic procedures: magnetic and laser therapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, shock wave treatment, etc.;
• therapeutic massage and physical exercise;
• special diet.

In some cases, rehabilitation measures may be necessary to eliminate residual symptoms: staying in sanitary resort conditions, mud applications, etc.

Pathologies of internal organs and nerves

Severe paroxysmal pain in the lower back is caused by kidney stones.
The main condition for a speedy recovery is making the correct diagnosis and immediately starting appropriate therapy.

If the pain is caused by an inflammatory process in an internal organ, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to suppress the reaction: Nimesil, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, etc. Appropriate formulations in tablet form help reduce the severity of pain: Diclofenac, Nise, Nurofen, etc.

Etiotropic treatment is prescribed taking into account the cause of pain:

• in case of intestinal dysfunction: enterosorbents, probiotics and prebiotics, antibiotics, etc.;
• in case of prostate dysfunction: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, drugs to increase muscle tone, etc.;
• for neurological pathologies: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, hormonal compounds, vitamins, etc.

The complex prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures, physical therapy, and massage.

Treatment: how to eliminate pain

Pain on the left side behind above the lower back will disappear with proper treatment. Therapy is prescribed in accordance with the identified disease. If stones are detected, medications are prescribed that can be used to destroy the formations and remove them naturally in the form of sand. If this fails, then a procedure is carried out using a special apparatus that destroys the stones. As a last resort, surgery is prescribed.

Pain above the lower back on the left in men from behind, radiating to the groin or side, indicates problems with the kidneys. With such disorders, organ enlargement is often diagnosed. To normalize the work, a thorough examination is carried out, medications are prescribed that normalize the outflow of urine.

If a patient has problems with the spine, the patient is prescribed medications: analgesics, vasodilators, antispasmodics. Various types of massage are also performed to enhance blood circulation. Injections are also prescribed that increase tissue tone.

When treating spinal diseases with conservative methods, only the symptoms are often relieved: pain, spasms, difficulties with movement. When treatment is stopped, the sensations return. The patient needs to devote a lot of time to physical exercise to keep himself in shape.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Inflammations, tumors, and ulcers can form in various parts of the intestines or stomach.

Most common diseases

Prevention: how to avoid problems

To prevent your back from bothering you, you need to keep your body in good physical shape and monitor the health of all internal organs. Problems arise for a variety of reasons - from age to those related to an unhealthy lifestyle. It is recommended to strengthen the muscle corset so that it supports the spinal column in the correct position.

An active lifestyle and proper nutrition will help eliminate the main risks of diseases of the internal organs. In addition, regular exercise will keep the spine in perfect condition, keeping it youthful.

It is necessary to undergo regular examination at the clinic. It is better to make sure that you are healthy than to live in ignorance. Most problems could be solved at an early stage, when the disease is invisible. To maintain kidney health, it is recommended to give up bad habits, eat right, and dress for the weather.

Prevention

In order to recognize the disease in time, it is not recommended to delay a visit to the doctor
. To avoid problems with the lower back, you need to take care of prevention in time:

• reduce physical stress on the department, eliminate heavy lifting;
• lead an active lifestyle, do morning exercises, which allows you to stretch your muscles and spine;
• attend preventive massage sessions (classical, cupping, acupressure);
• carry out physiotherapeutic procedures to improve blood circulation in the spinal region;
• Maintain proper nutrition, excluding foods harmful to the gastrointestinal tract: fatty, fried, salty, etc.

If you manage to feel pain in the lower back on the left, you need to visit a therapist. If necessary, he will refer you to a specialized doctor: a surgeon, gastroenterologist, osteopath, neurologist, oncologist, or others.

Any disease is easier to treat at the initial stage of development. In addition, timely adoption of therapeutic measures leads to a favorable prognosis and no risk of negative consequences.

Diagnosis of back pain in men

Back pain is one of the most common neurological symptoms, often accompanied by impaired sensitivity, motor function and other neurological disorders. In order to discover the cause of pain and make a diagnosis, a consultation with a neurologist is required. Magnetic resonance therapy is used as an objective diagnostic method. MRI is an effective and safe procedure that can detect almost all diseases that lead to back pain.

Shpidonov Gennady Stanislavovich

Neurologist

Rostov State Medical University (neurology)

10 years of experience

Classification of painful sensations

When a patient complains of severe pain in the left or lower back, the doctor first asks about the sensations while palpating the place where it hurts and the entire lower back. This is done in order to determine the nature of the pathogenic processes. There are two types of pain in the lumbar region: acute and nagging. If the patient has an acute form of the disease, she experiences serious pain, which affects the person’s quality of life.

Most often, such pain is observed even after short-term physical activity, and if you make some careless movement or lift a heavy weight, this will lead to a shooting sensation. The shooting is paroxysmal and sudden, which is why the person simply freezes in place and can only move the fulcrum to one side. But if you start to move, you will feel severe pain in the left region of your back, at the same point as before.

But aching pain can accompany the patient all the time, without bothering her. At first you can live with this pain calmly, but then it leads to stiffness of movement. The reasons for the exacerbation are as follows:

Lower back pain in early pregnancy

• Sudden and sloppy movements.
• Hypothermia.
• Fast movement.
• Great physical activity.

If a patient neglects going to the doctor for a long time, then she gradually gets used to a body position in which she is not bothered by pain. But because of this, over time, pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, as well as pathologies of internal organs, arise.

Conservative treatment of low back pain

Initially, almost all patients are prescribed conservative therapy for diseases that cause low back pain. But, unfortunately, sometimes men make the disease so severe that when it does force them to see a doctor, the only way to correct the situation or at least improve it is through surgery. Therefore, it is important to contact a chiropractor, neurologist or vertebrologist as early as possible, before the existing disease has time to lead to the development of complications or irreversible consequences.

As a rule, men are prescribed complex treatment, the main components of which are:

• drug therapy;
• manual therapy;
• massage;
• individual sessions with a rehabilitation specialist;
• physiotherapy.

The complexity and duration of treatment for low back pain depends on the stage of development of the disease and the presence of concomitant disorders. But it is always aimed at reducing discomfort and eliminating the causes of its occurrence, that is, both symptomatic and etiotropic therapy is carried out.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, men are advised to reconsider their lifestyle:

• give up fatty foods and reduce weight as much as possible if you are obese;
• increase the level of physical activity during “sedentary” work;
• avoid overstraining the lumbar spine;
• to refuse from bad habits;
• eat so that the body receives all the nutrients it needs.

Sometimes a chiropractor may recommend that a man purchase a special orthopedic lower back brace. It will help reduce the load on the spine and create optimal conditions for the restoration of its structures.

Treatment tactics are selected strictly individually depending on the diagnosis.

Expert Opinion of a Doctor

At the first pain in the spine, you should consult a doctor at a clinic or an appropriate specialized medical center. Under no circumstances should this situation be left to chance. Remember that damage to the spinal motion segments can lead to segmental disorders of the spinal cord, deterioration of the peripheral blood supply to organs and systems in the male body, in particular, blood supply to the pelvic organs, which ultimately leads to decreased libido, impotence and even disability .

Personal: Udovenko Bogdan Viktorovich

Orthopedist, chiropractor, vertebroneurologist, osteopath

Experience: More than 20 years

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Drug therapy

Drug treatment is aimed at eliminating lower back pain, as well as eliminating the inflammatory process and activating regenerative processes. Therefore, it is selected separately for each patient. Most often, men are prescribed:

• NSAIDs are drugs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, produced in the form of drugs for oral administration, injection solutions, topical agents, and rectal suppositories;
• corticosteroids are drugs with pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, which are preferably administered parenterally and in short courses to avoid the development of severe side effects;
• muscle relaxants - medications that help relax overly tense (spasmodic) muscles and, consequently, reduce pain;
• chondroprotectors are drugs aimed at activating the restoration of cartilage tissue, but giving positive results only when used at the very first stage of the development of osteochondrosis. To prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system, we recommend to our patients the most effective drug Mermaids Marine Collagen;
• B vitamins - used to improve the quality of transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to internal organs;
• Vitamin D is a remedy responsible for the condition of bone tissue, as well as for higher brain functions, such as memory, memory, attention, and speech.

In case of particularly severe pain, injections of anesthetic solutions (Lidocaine, Novocaine) with corticosteroids can be performed in the area where the nerves pass, i.e., blockade. But such procedures, especially if performed incorrectly, can cause nerve damage and the development of serious complications.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy can be considered the basis for the treatment of spinal diseases, especially when carried out according to Gritsenko’s original method. With its help, it is possible to solve a lot of problems with the spine and internal organs, since the use of special techniques and methods allows:

• normalize the position of the vertebrae and the distance between them, which reduces the load on the discs and creates conditions for their full recovery;
• release the nerve roots, which eliminates acute pain and radicular syndrome;
• eliminate functional blocks, relax spasmodic muscles and tone overly relaxed muscles, which improves mobility;
• improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition, which ensures the delivery of all necessary substances to damaged anatomical structures and the rapid removal of metabolic products from them;
• activate natural defense and restoration mechanisms.

This is why after a course of manual therapy sessions the pain goes away for a long time and does not return for a long time. We do not have general standards of treatment; we apply an individual approach to each patient. With the help of special techniques of the Gritsenko method, it is possible to achieve activation of the body’s natural regeneration processes. Therefore, very often it is possible not only to slow down the progression of osteochondrosis or other spinal pathology, but also to achieve a complete recovery, especially when treated as soon as possible after the onset of attacks of lower back pain.

Exercise therapy

Physical therapy is an important component of the fight against lower back pain. An individually developed set of exercises, if performed daily, will help strengthen the back muscles and avoid atrophy of the leg muscles. This will create full support for the spine and help stop the progression of pathological changes in it.

The program is developed by a rehabilitation doctor for each man separately, taking into account the diagnosis, age, presence of concomitant diseases, and level of physical fitness. The first classes are conducted under the supervision of a specialist, and only after 100% mastery of the correct technique for performing each proposed exercise is it possible to perform them independently at home.