Lower back pain that occurs only on one side may be caused either by issues with internal organs, such as a kidney infection or kidney stones, or by conditions relating to structural problems of the spine. In this article we will be focusing on the latter, by providing some of the most common reasons why lower back pain occurs only on one side.
You may experience the pain on a sudden note, or it may be a sharp stitch on the right or left side of the back. It can also gradually worsen each day. Regardless of the location of the pain one thing is certain. Back pain is not pleasant.
It must be noted that if the pain is keeping you up all night or persists for more than a week, you might need to seek the help of a healthcare professional. It is even more important to follow this step if you have gone through an injury or if this is a recurrence rather than a first encounter. These are just a few of the numerous signs that your back needs medical attention.
While one-sided pain can be a fairly common issue it is still advised that one learns the symptoms and what it is like to have back pain only on one side. The symptoms of pain that occurs on either the left or right side of the lower back may vary depending on the core issue that causes the said pain.
Herniated Disc
Spinal discs are shock-absorbing cushions located between spinal bones. A herniated disc is observed when the hard outer covering of a disk ruptures or frays. That may cause the liquid–like substance contained within the disc to escape and bulge out of its normal place.
This may become a problem if the inner content of the disc impinges on a nearby nerve. Because spinal nerve roots are quite sensitive, when they come in contact with anything (in this case the disc’s inner content) it becomes irritated and thus creates the sensation of pain. It also leads to radiculopathy symptoms, such as:
- Back pain, which may feel like stabbing pain
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Electrical sensations
Facet Joint Pain and Spinal Arthritis
The back of the spine is built up from facet joints that are interconnected. They limit the excessive movement of the spine. Each spinal level has left and right facet joints.
They are prone to the development of bone spurs as well as to some arthritic changes. These changes are a result of wear and tear and are observed to occur on one facet joint at any given level, on either side. So, if they are developed on the lower left side, you may observe lower left back pain, for example. If they occur on the right side, you may experience lower right back pain.
Further symptoms of issues with facet joints and spinal arthritis include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Electrical sensations
- Weakness
Bone Issues
One-sided low back pain may also occur due to:
This pain often radiates down the leg and causes weakness. Anyone suffering from right hip pain due to arthritis may be seen walking in a manner that prevents them from falling and also minimise any hip irritation. But then this could turn into a left-sided back pain as a result.
This compensation is not done by the body in a conscious state. It’s part of the body’s natural mechanism to protect itself from the worsening pain which could cause overuse and over-fatigue of the back muscles and surrounding joints.
So, instead of getting frustrated be mindful of the fact that the right treatments that seem to work and banish pain usually take time.
Hard and Soft Tissue Injuries
Spinal structures like muscles, discs and joints upon injury become the cause of back pain in just one side. Injuries that affect these structures in particular are most likely due to sports of other physical accidents.
Tissues injuries result in pain that is centred on the spine. This can lead to a pain entirely on either the right or left side of the back. Muscle strains, for example, are one of the most common reasons to be blamed for the onset of pain.
And of tissue injuries overall, muscle strains are the most common cause of lower back pain on one side.
Poor posture is another cause of one-sided pain. That is why it is recommended that we sit with our backs in a 90 degrees angle to help maintain the knees, ankles, hips, and elbows in a neutral position and avoid unnecessary strain on the spine.
Treatment Options
When it comes to addressing pain on one side of the lower back optimal treatment options will be based on the severity of the symptoms and my include:
- Pain relievers/medication
- Hot/ Cold Packs
- Physical Therapy
- Surgery (as a last resort)
- Using a spinal decompression device
Beat One-sided Back Pain with Backrack!
Author: Spinal Backrack
