There are many potential causes for pain in the left side of your back. It could be a result of muscular or bone pain, for example, or the result of an injury.
There are many potential causes for pain in the left side of your back. It could be a result of muscular or bone pain, for example, or the result of an injury.
Your back is made up of many bones arranged in the spinal column – your spine. This provides support for your body and allows you to stand, sit and move around.
Your back also includes muscles, ligaments and nerves. These can sometimes be affected by a strain, injury or inflammation because of the amount of wear and tear you place on your back every day.
It's also possible to injure your back if you hurt it in a fall or playing sport.
But back pain is very common and pain in the left side of the back is not unusual.
Another potential cause of pain in the left side of your back is inflammation or infection of the internal organs in that area.
For example, kidney stones can cause pain in the lower back. But in these cases, you would often experience other symptoms in addition to back pain.
Here we'll look at what might be causing back pain in the left side and some of the most common symptoms.
Muscle strains are a common cause of back pain, including left side back pain.
You may have strained yourself while working out in the gym or on the football pitch. Perhaps you have moved awkwardly while getting out of bed in the morning.
Bad posture is another cause of pain in the back or side. If you often sit or stand in a poor position, it may place added stress on your muscles and your spine.
As we get older, wear and tear on our bones can also cause pain.
One common back issue is a
, which happens when the cushioning rings of the spine are pushed out of place. This means that the disc presses onto the spinal nerves, causing pain.If you have a condition such as
or , this can also cause pain down the left side of your body.Even though you might feel that the pain may be coming from your back, pain in your side might actually be coming from the organs in your tummy or pelvis.
The kidneys, pancreas, colon and uterus are all located in the lower part of the trunk of your body.
, for example, can cause pain in the left side of your back.Pancreatitis can also cause back pain, as well as an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is when a bulge or swelling forms in the main blood vessel that runs from your heart down to your tummy, known as the aorta.
If any of your organs are affected, there’s a good chance that you will be feeling ill with other symptoms aside from the back pain. This could be a temperature, fever, nausea, shortness of breath or pain when passing pee, as well as a range of other symptoms, depending on the cause.
If you're feeling unwell with any of these or other symptoms, you should see a doctor.
There are lots of ways you can reduce back pain and help the recovery yourself at home:
With some extra care and attention, the pain should get better on its own. If the pain persists, though,
.Back pain, even in one side, will usually improve within a few weeks.
However, if you're very uncomfortable and the pain doesn’t seem to be going away, or it’s stopping you from getting on with your daily activities, it's best to see a doctor or health practitioner.
You should seek medical help immediately if you have back pain and also have:
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:
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
. You might be referred to a specialist, such as a physiotherapist, for further tests and care.Your doctor may decide to offer you medication, such as an
, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) tablets . Your doctor will tell you how to safely get and use this.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets or capsules (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, should be taken for no more than a week to 10 days at a time, unless you've spoken to a doctor. If you use a gel, mousse or spray form of the medication, don't use this for more than 2 weeks without talking to a doctor.
Take oral NSAIDs with food or a drink of milk to reduce the risk of irritating your stomach.
You should also talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking NSAIDs if you’ve ever had:
People with the following conditions should also talk to a doctor before taking these medications:
You should avoid NSAIDs if you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or have high blood pressure.
Your doctor may also prescribe you medications to protect your stomach if you’re over the age of 65.
You shouldn’t take these NSAIDs if you’re allergic to them, or you have experienced allergic symptoms like wheezing or skin reactions after taking another medication from this group.
You should call a doctor or ambulance immediately if you've taken more than the maximum dose of NSAIDs or if you experience any of the following side effects:
Please see a doctor before taking these medicines and get a prescription, if required.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.