Pain in the left side of the back


Some people feel pain on the left side of the back, so they wonder about the main causes of this pain? And how to treat? Read on to learn more.

Back pain is very common and there are many possible causes behind it, and the back pain that the patient may feel can vary from mild pain to sharp pain, but have you especially known why pain occurs in the left side of the back? Don't worry, we have collected for you the most important information on this topic as follows:

Causes of pain in the left side of the back

Since you are wondering about the causes of low back pain on the left side, we present to you in this paragraph the most prominent of these causes:

1. Soft tissue damage


The soft tissues of the muscles or ligaments that support the spine can be damaged by inflammation caused by excessive stretching of the lower back muscles or by twisted and torn ligaments.

Inflammation can lead to muscle spasm, which leads to left lower back pain.

2. Spinal damage


Some injuries to the spine as a result of sports injuries or a car accident lead to back pain, and some medical conditions, which are often caused by spinal damage, also lead to pain in the back, and the most prominent of these cases are:

  • Herniated lumbar discs.
  • Osteoarthritis in facet joints.
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction of sacroiliac joints.

3. Problems with internal organs



One of the causes of pain in the left side of the back is a health and medical problem, as a problem may appear in one of the internal organs, specifically the abdominal organs, such as:

  • Kidney infection.
  • Kidney stones.
  • Pancreatitis.
  • Ulcerative colitis.
  • Problems that affect women, such as endometriosis and fibroids.

4. Arthritis


Some types of arthritis cause pain in the lower back, specifically on one side, and this inflammation results from inflammation or damage to the cartilage, and the symptoms vary according to the type of arthritis, but in general it includes stiffness and swelling of the back and decreased range of motion.

Risk factors for low back pain Left


Certain factors can increase your risk of pain in the left side of your back, such as:

Age: Older adults are exposed to minor injuries, which may lead to more serious conditions due to low bone density or arthritis that causes pain.

Athletes: Athletes suffer more wear and tear than other people, as they are more prone to fractures, herniated discs or arthritis.

Symptoms associated with pain in the left side of the back


These include:

1. Symptoms accompanying pain in the left side of the back


As:

  • Limited range of motion.
  • Swelling.
  • Muscle spasms.
  • Pain improved with rest and painkillers.
  • Increased pain when sitting or getting out of bed.
  • Tingling down the leg.
  • Exacerbation of back pain when walking.

2. Symptoms that warrant a visit to the doctor


as follows:

  • Abnormal weakness in the lower body.
  • Tingling in the lower part of the body.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Breathlessness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Pain during urination.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • Urinary incontinence.

Methods for diagnosing left side back pain

To determine the appropriate treatment, some tests must be performed, so the doctor first performs a physical examination, reviews the patient's medical history, and ascertains the symptoms he suffers from, and may recommend some tests, such as:

  1. CT scan.
  2. X-ray.
  3. Magnetic resonance imaging.
  4. Ultrasound.

Treatment of pain on the left side of the back

We have collected for you the most important medical and home remedies that help relieve pain in the left side of the back, get to know them:

1. Medical treatments


Your doctor may prescribe:

  • Pain relievers to reduce pain, most notably: aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
  • Muscle relaxants to reduce muscle spasm, such as Baclofen and Chlorzoxazone.
  • Opioids, which are used for a short time for severe back pain, include fentanyl and hydrocodone.
  • Steroid injections, which are injected lumbar epidural near the root of the vertebral nerve.
  • Stent combined with physical therapy to speed up the healing process and relieve pain.

2. Home remedies


Home care is an important step in treatment, which includes:

Rest for a day or two of strenuous activities or situations that aggravate the pain to avoid worsening back pain.

Apply cold compresses to reduce swelling, then replace them with warm compresses to increase blood flow and relieve muscle spasm.

Practice relaxation techniques, such as meditation, and acupressure can help relieve back pain.

Do some light exercise to reduce long-term discomfort and stiffness, and improve range of motion.

3. Surgery


If none of the previous treatments and solutions have succeeded in relieving pain in the left side of the back, especially if the pain lasts for 6-12 weeks, the doctor may resort to surgery, especially if the patient suffers from the following:

Pancreatitis to remove obstruction of the bile duct.

Kidney stones, as they are broken down.

Removal of excess tissue in case of endometriosis.