Left and Right Side Back Pain Treatment, Causes & Diagnosis

Dr. Garima Anandani, 4 years ago

Where does your back hurt? On the left or on the right? No matter which side it hurts, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘why is it causing pain’ and ‘how can I get faster relief’. If you can pinpoint the exact location of your back pain, it will immensely help you in determining the culprit and get accurate treatment for it. You are not alone to suffer from side back pain. Majority of people face it every day. Know all about the causes, diagnosis and treatment for left and right side back pain.  

What are the common causes of left side back pain?

Lower left back pain means a shooting pain or dull ache in the area above the hip or buttocks, which can happen due to several reasons. The common causes of left side back pain are –  

• Tissue injury or muscle strain
• Slipped disk (also called as herniated disk)
• Osteoarthritis
• Dysfunction of sacroiliac joints
• Internal organ problems such as kidney infection, kidney stones, pancreatitis.

Besides these, other less common sources of left side back pain are degenerative spondylolisthesis and chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.

How is left side back pain diagnosed?

Sometimes lower back pain is felt only on one side either as a constant pain or a pain that flares up for a time and then subsides. Lower left back pain can get alleviated or worsen with movement and is sensitive to pressure. An accurate diagnosis is vital to understand or identify the underlying cause of left back pain. The diagnosis usually involves 3 steps –

• Patient history
• Physical examination
• Diagnostic Imaging tests

How do I manage left side back pain?

After obtaining an accurate diagnosis, treatment options can be customized to an individual patient needs. Treatment for left side back pain includes self-care, over-the-counter medications and alternative therapies. Generally, non-surgical treatment is the first mode of action for these conditions. You can manage your left side back pain using the following measures:-

• Self-care like taking rest for some time.
• Heat/Ice Therapy
• Massage therapy
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Exercises

Five ways to relieve your left side back pain

Back pain is one of the leading problems amongst many working people. Lower left side back pain can be annoying and also affects our day-to-day chores. It distracts our mind and hampers our work. Here are a few ways of how you can easily manage your left back pain and also get some relief.

• Cold therapy
• Heat therapy
• Regular exercise
• Yoga & meditation
• Massage therapy

Lower Back Pain on the Left Side

Everybody experiences back pain, but the type of back pain that every person goes through is not the same. It can vary from person to person. Some people feel a stabbing pain while others feel a dull ache. Lower back pain on the left side reacts differently to movement and pressure. For some, it can help where for others it can worsen the pain.

Upper Back Pain on the Left Side

Have you experienced an upper back pain on your left side? It can be frustrating and puzzling. Upper back pain may be caused due to the spine or back muscles. If there is minor upper back pain on the left side, it may get better on its own. However, if it is caused due to some chronic condition, then it might persist and you might need medical intervention.

Middle Back Pain on the Left Side

Middle back pain is not as common as lower back pain as the bones in that area don’t move that much as compared to the bones in your lower back or neck. However, it may be caused due to various other reasons. Your doctor will be able to diagnose it through a physical examination and an imaging tests.

Why do I get right back pain?

Back pain is universal, almost every person will face or has gone through it. Right-back pain can be acute or chronic. It can be an outcome of mechanical problems with the spine, muscles, tendons and ligaments. The underlying cause will determine the type of pain you feel and will also help figure out the best treatment for it. Common causes of right side back pain are as follows-

• Sprains and strains
• Spinal issues
• Kidney problems
• Appendicitis right back pain
• Infection

Diagnosis of right side back pain

Dealing with excruciating back pain can be challenging and worrisome. It may look like something quite serious. However, the cause may not be serious as it seems to be. Hence, an accurate diagnosis of your right back pain might be able to relieve you from it. Your healthcare provider may ask about your medical history and do a thorough physical examination at first. You might have to run through some diagnostic imaging tests too. Proper diagnosis and good treatment will easily help you get rid of right side back pain.

Can I manage right side back pain?

You can well manage your right back pain through some common medical treatments that will give you relief from the pain. For ex- muscle relaxants, back belts, painkillers. Other alternative therapies include acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, exercises, heat and cold therapy and bed rest.

How do I get relief from right side back pain?

Back pain, most times, is manageable and there are a lot of natural remedies to soothe your back. However, finding out the root cause of your right back pain is indispensable as the type of treatment depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. You must contact your doctor if the right side back pain is intense, worsens or doesn’t improve. In the meantime, you can try few things that will help you soothe your back and provide some relief.

• Stretching exercises
• Gentle massage
• Hot/Cold therapy
• Maintain a good posture
• Yoga

Lower Back Pain on the Right Side

Lower Back pain is common; at times it could happen specifically at one side only. Sprains and strains can occur randomly due to an injury, sudden movement or lifting a heavy object. Sprain or strain can happen on the right side of your lower back, which can be painful and also restricts movement in that area.

Upper Back Pain on the Right Side

Upper right back pain can restrict the freedom of movement and make it hard for you. Right back pain is usually due to problems with the spine such as vertebrae, spinal discs, nerves, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Sometimes, it may arise out of critical conditions too. Therefore, it is necessary to diagnose the cause of pain to receive the best treatment.

Middle Back Pain on the Right Side

Middle back pain is the pain that you feel in the region of the back between the rib cage and the base of the neck. In most cases, middle back pain on the right is self-limiting and simple pain relief is sufficient. However, if the middle back pain on the right is more severe or is prolonged then the investigation will be needed to determine the underlying cause of pain.