Lower Back Pain To The Left? What Causes It And How To Treat It

Lower back pain to the left can be easily treated at home if it isn’t serious. It could be a sign of something more serious that needs medical attention. We will discuss the most common causes of lower back pain to the left and offer suggestions for how to alleviate it.

What Is Causing The Pain In My Left Lower Back?

Sometimes, lower back pain to the left can be felt only on one side of your body. Some people feel constant pain, while others experience a temporary ache.

There are many types of back pain. Some people feel a sharp, stabbing pain, while others feel a dull ache. People with lower back pain to the left respond differently to pressure and movement. This can help some people, but it can also make the pain worse.

Lower back pain to the left is most commonly caused by:

• Soft tissue injury to muscles or ligaments supporting the spine
• Injury to the spine column by discs or facet joints
• A disease that affects internal organs such as the kidneys or the intestines

Lower back pain on the left side can be caused by many things. Some may be specific to the left side, while others can affect any area of the back.

Muscle Strain Or Sprain

Low back pain is most commonly caused by a muscle strain, or sprain.

A strain refers to a tear in a tendon, muscle, or tendon. A sprain is a tear in a ligament.

When you have twist, lift, or lift something incorrectly, or overstretch or stretch your back muscles, you can cause strains and sprains. Learn about good posture.

These injuries can lead to swelling, difficulty moving, and back spasms.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain that is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs from your back to your legs and through your buttocks.

Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disk, bony spur, or spinal compression of the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica typically only affects one side. Sciatica can cause a burning or electric lower back pain to the left that radiates down your legs. It can be worse if you cough, sneeze, or sit for too long.

There are serious causes of sciatica that can lead to weakness or numbness in the leg so consider paying a visit to your doctor. He may prescribe OTC medications  to treat sciatica at home.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disk is when one or more discs between your vertebrae get compressed and bulge outwardly into the spinal canal.

These bulging discs can push on nerves, causing weakness, pain, numbness, and tingling. Sciatica can also be caused by a herniated disk.

An injury can cause herniated discs. Because the discs naturally age, herniated discs become more common with age. A herniated disc is a sign that you have experienced low back pain in the past.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between your vertebrae begins to fall apart. Because of the strain of walking, osteoarthritis is common in the lower back.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by normal wear and tear. However, it is possible to develop from a back injury.

Osteoarthritis is most commonly characterized by pain and stiffness. Twisting your back or bending your spine can be particularly painful.

Dysfunction Of The Sacroiliac Joints

Sacroiliitis (SI) is a disorder of the sacroiliac joints. There are two sacroiliac joints, one on each side. They connect with your pelvis at the top. Sacroiliitis refers to inflammation of this joint. It can affect either one or both of these sides.

The most common sign is pain in the lower back or buttocks. This is often made worse by:

• Standing
• Climbing stairs
• Running
• Too much weight on the affected leg
• Taking large steps

Infection Or Kidney Stones?

Your kidneys are vital for flushing out waste from your body. These kidney stones can form. There are many causes of kidney stones, including a buildup or too little fluid.

Sometimes, small kidney stones do not cause symptoms and can disappear on their own. These symptoms can be caused by larger stones that may need treatment.

• Pain while urinating
• A sharp pain in your lower back on one side
• Blood in your urine
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fever

A kidney infection is usually caused by a urinary tract infection. This can cause kidney stone-like symptoms. A kidney infection that is not treated promptly can cause permanent damage to your kidneys.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells that look like the uterus lining (called endometrial cells) grow outside of the uterus. These cells can swell and burst every month, which can cause pain and other problems.

Most endometriosis occurs in women who are in their 30s or 40s.

The most common symptom of pain is:

• Very painful menstrual cramps
• Lower back pain
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during sex
• It causes painful bowel movements and urination during your period.

Some other symptoms include:

• Bleeding in-between periods (spotting).
• Heavy Periods
• Digestive issues like diarrhea
• Bloating
• Infertility

Fibroids

Fibroids can be tumors that develop in the wall or uterus. They are generally benign.

Fibroid symptoms include:

• Periods of heavy bleeding
• It can be painful.
• Bloating in the lower abdomen
• You have a feeling of fullness in your lower abdomen.
• Low back pain
• frequent urination
• Pain during sex

Low back pain can be caused by ulcerative colitis or pancreatitis. This is not a common symptom. If they do cause back discomfort, it is usually more severe in the back. Both should be addressed by a doctor as soon as possible.

Lower Back Pain On The Left Side During Pregnancy

Back pain can be very common during pregnancy. It could be due to:

• The heavier front of your body can strain the back muscles.
• Changes in posture
• As your stomach grows, your abdominal muscles will weaken. This means that your spine won’t be as supported.
• Sciatica
• Hormones that cause the ligaments of your pelvis to relax in preparation for birth. (If they become too mobile, it can lead to pain.)
• SI joint dysfunction.
• A kidney infection is a condition that occurs when the more common urinary tract infections in pregnancy are not treated correctly.

Low Back Pain: Risk Factors

The following are risk factors for sciatica:

• Age. Alter-related changes to the spine, such as herniated discs or bone spurs, are the most common causes of sciatica.
• Obesity. An excess of body weight can cause spinal problems that lead to sciatica.
• Occupation. Some jobs that require you to bend over, lift heavy objects, or drive a motor car for long periods of time might be linked to sciatica. However, there is no definitive evidence.
• Long sitting Sedentary people are more likely to get sciatica than those who are active.
• Diabetes This condition affects how your body uses sugar and increases your risk for nerve damage.

Prevention Of Lower Back Pain

Sciatica can recur. It is not always possible to prevent it. These are key steps to protecting your back.

• Get active. Keep your spine strong. Your core muscles are important for correct posture and alignment. Learn about muscle and core strengthening.
• Proper posture is important when sitting. Look for a seat that offers good support for your lower back, armrests, and a swivel base. To maintain your normal curve, you might place a pillow or towel on the lower part of your back. Keep your hips and knees straight.
• Have good body mechanics. When you are standing for long periods of time, keep one foot on a stool. Your lower extremities should do the lifting of heavy objects. Straighten your arms and move them up and down. Maintain a straight back and bend at the knees. Keep the load close to you. Do not lift and twist simultaneously. If the object is awkward or heavy, find a partner to lift it. Learn how to maintain good posture at work.

How To Treat Lower Back Pain On The Left Side

Self-Care

Self-care is often the first step to treating lower back problems.

• Recover. Take some time off from strenuous activities.
• Avoidance Activities that can aggravate your pain should be reduced or eliminated.
• OTC pain medication
• Ice/heat therapy Warm packs reduce swelling. Heat increases blood flow and relieves muscle tension.

See Your Doctor

If self-care is not working, a visit to the doctor may be required. For lower back pain to the left, your doctor might prescribe:

• Muscle relaxants To reduce muscle spasms and tightness, drugs such as baclofen (Lioresal) and chlorzoxazone (“Paraflex”) are often used.
• Opioids. For the short-term treatment and relief of severe lower back pain to the left, drugs such as Fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic) and hydrocodone [Vicodin, Lortab] are often prescribed.
• Injections An injection of steroids in the lumbar epidural space near the spinal nerve root administers steroids.
• Brace. Braces can sometimes be combined with physical therapy to provide comfort and speed healing.

Ice And Heat For Lower Back Pain Relief

You can treat sciatica at home by taking a few simple steps. You may find a heating pad or an ice pack helpful. You can apply heat or ice for approximately 20 minutes every hour. You can experiment to determine which one provides the best relief. Alternating between them is also possible.

Lower Back Pain Relief

Short-term relief can be obtained from sciatica using over-the-counter painkillers. There are two options: acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. To further reduce inflammation, your doctor may recommend steroid injections.

Stretching For Lower Back Pain Relief

While your sciatica heals, you should be active. Moving can reduce inflammation and pain. A physical therapist will show you how to stretch your hamstrings and lower back.

Learn yoga poses for lower back pain. Some exercises may not be appropriate depending on your medical condition. You may be able to take short walks with your doctor.

Injections

To reduce inflammation, doctors may recommend injecting steroids into the spine in severe cases. The medication is delivered directly to the area surrounding the sciatic nerve.

Surgery

Surgery may be an option if your sciatica is caused by a herniated disc and continues to cause severe pain after 4 to 6 weeks.

To relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, the surgeon will cut off a portion of the herniated disc. This type of surgery is effective in relieving about 90% of patients. Spinal stenosis can also be treated with other surgical procedures.

The Takeaway

You are not the only one suffering from lower back pain. Lower back pain to the left can be a leading cause of absence from work.

You may be able to take simple steps at home, depending on how severe your pain is or how severe your condition is. If home care doesn’t work, or you have unusual symptoms, consult your doctor to get a complete diagnosis and discuss treatment options.

Sources:

• Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery? | Michigan Medicine. (2020, November 16). Lumbar Herniated Disc: Should I Have Surgery? | Michigan Medicine. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/aa6282.
• MD, R. S. (n.d.). Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Low Back Pain And Sciatica. Spine-health. https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/injections/lumbar-epidural-steroid-injections-low-back-pain-and-sciatica.
• Back Pain During Pregnancy: Causes And Treatments. (2020, June 12). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/back-pain-in-pregnancy.
• Fibroids: What Are Fibroids? Fibroids Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis – UCLA. (n.d.). Fibroids: What are Fibroids? Fibroids Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis – UCLA. https://www.uclahealth.org/fibroids/what-are-fibroids.
• Endometriosis. (n.d.). nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/.
• Kidney Stone Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, & Prevention – American Kidney Fund (AKF). (n.d.). Kidney Stone Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, & Prevention – American Kidney Fund (AKF). https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/kidney-problems/kidney-stones/.
• Buchanan, B. K., & Varacallo, M. (2021, August 11). Sacroiliitis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. Sacroiliitis – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448141/.
• Osteoarthritis (OA) | Arthritis | CDC. (2020, July 27). Osteoarthritis (OA) | Arthritis | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm.
• Herniated Disk In the Lower Back – OrthoInfo – AAOS. (2018, June 1). Herniated Disk in the Lower Back – OrthoInfo – AAOS. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/.
• Sciatica – Wikipedia. (2015, July 2). Sciatica – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica.
• Sprains – Symptoms And Causes. (2020, September 25). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprains/symptoms-causes/syc-20377938.
• MD, J. P. (n.d.). Causes Of Lower Back Pain. Spine-health. https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/causes-lower-back-pain.