Did you know in the United States, lower back pain is the second most common reason behind disability? If you have lower left back pain, we can help.
In this guide, we’ll go over what causes lower left back pain.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
1. Herniated Disk
A herniated disk can cause pain to spread from the middle of your spine to one side of your back.
The bones in your spine get cushioned by small disks. Every disk has a firmer exterior called the annulus fibrosus. The softer material inside the disk is the nucleus pulposus.
Fragments of the nucleus will push through a tear in the outside of the disk and press on nerves.
A herniated disk can occur from wear and tear over time or an injury. You might notice pain on one side of your body and worsening back pain as you walk. Some people report a tingling sensation down their legs.
2. You Might Have a Tissue Injury
You might have experienced a tissue injury from a car or sports accident.
Tissue injuries can cause pain central to your spine but lead to pain on either the left or right side of the back.
3. Muscle Strain
Muscle strains are another common cause of lower back pain. If you have a muscle strain, you might notice muscle spasms, tenderness, or a limited range of motion. The pain could worsen when you go to bed or sit.
The pain should improve with ice or rest.
4. Bad Posture
Poor posture could also be a reason behind one-sided back pain. When you sit, aim to keep your ankles, knees, hips, and elbows at a 90-degree angle.
5. Back Pain Could Come From Bone Issues
Spinal stenosis, bone spurs, and arthritis could cause pain on the left side of your back. The pain could even move down your leg or cause a weak sensation.
If someone experiences hip pain on their right hip due to arthritis, they’ll walk in a certain way. You might end up walking to help reduce hip pain or prevent a fall. In the end, you’ll begin to notice back pain on your left side.
The compensation might not be something you’re doing with a conscious effort. The body tends to try and protect itself from worse pain. Other joints and muscles can become overtired and overused.
Treatment options will depend on how the issue affects your daily life. Talk to your GP about treatment options based on your symptoms.
6. Kidney Stone Issues
Lower left back pain can occur from a kidney stone. If a kidney stone moves through the ureters or inside your left kidney, you’ll feel pain.
Other symptoms can include difficulty urinating or pain while urinating.
7. Kidney Infection
Infection in the left kidney can cause intense or dull pain in your lower left back region. A kidney infection will begin in the bladder and urinary tract. Over time, it will spread to the kidneys and cause inflammation and pain.
Other symptoms to watch out for are nausea, fever, and painful urination. Pains felt in the low left back region can worsen with pressure or movement.
8. Gynecological Disorders
Endometriosis and fibroids are common conditions and can cause lower left back pain. Pain from endometriosis can feel sharp, sporadic, and stabbing.
Endometriosis occurs from excess uterine tissue that grows outside the uterus. Other symptoms could include fatigue, abdominal pain, and pain with menstruation.
Fibroids can start as benign masses that grow inside the uterus, causing lower left back pain. People report frequent urination, pain during intercourse, or abnormal menstruation.
9. Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease. The main symptoms include the inflammation in the colon. Inflammation can cause digestive issues like rectal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea.
Abdominal cramping is another common symptom. This condition causes sharp back pain on one or both sides of the body.
10. Pregnancy
One-sided low back pain can occur during pregnancy. As the baby develops, the mother’s body will accommodate the changes. Pain can change from a sharp, stabbing pain to a dull and chronic ache.
Stretching, rest, and exercise could help to ease the pain.
11. Pancreatitis
An inflamed pancreas can cause abdominal pain. The pain can spread to the lower-left region of the back.
Patients describe the pain as a dull sensation and notice it after eating a high-fat meal.
When Should You Seek Treatment?
You may want to have your chronic or severe back pain checked out by your doctor. If you are over 50, you might have a fracture. A small percent of lower back pain is due to a tumor, infection, or aneurysm.
Talk to your local doctor if your back pain isn’t going away. If it’s preventing you from doing daily tasks for a few days or has worsened, check in with your GP.
Seek urgent help if your back pain is also accompanied by numbness in your legs. Get help if you have a fever or cannot urinate.
If you experience discomfort at night or notice leg weakness that’s spontaneous, see a GP.
Learn some tips on managing back pain.
Now You Know What Causes Lower Left Back Pain
We hope this guide on what causes back pain was helpful. Now that you know what causes lower left back pain, learn more about what treatments you can seek.
Check out our other helpful resources on fitness, health, and more.