Lower back pain under ribs left side

Back pain is common: 80% of adults will experience it in their lifetime. Usually, people think of all-over back pain, but one-sided back pain is also a thing. And it can be an annoying thing.

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When to worry about back pain that’s only on the left or right side

“Unless you experienced an obvious cause, like a fall, you probably aren’t dealing with a fracture that requires special care,” says spine specialist Russell DeMicco, DO. “Rarely do you need to worry just because your pain is only on the left side or right side of the back.”

The exceptions are:

• Age: An older adult may experience a minor injury that results in a more serious condition — either because they have low bone density, or they developed arthritis that causes pain.
• Athleticism: Athletes may experience greater musculoskeletal wear and tear than the general population. They’re often more vulnerable to fractures, herniated disks or arthritis.

Tissue-related back pain is most common

Spontaneous one-sided back pain can occur for a variety of reasons, but it’s usually related to the soft-tissue (muscle, ligament, joint). The back muscles run up and down the left side and the right side — they don’t cross the midline (spine). So if you irritate a muscle on the left side of your back, you would likely only have pain in that region.

“Someone who is experiencing tissue-related pain will feel an aching soreness and stiffness,” says Dr. DeMicco. “Often, the area will be tender to the touch and have restricted range of motion because of the discomfort they feel.”

Causes of tissue-related discomfort include:

• Sound sleeping: If you have a night with limited movement, you might find that the muscles on just one side of the back tense up, causing pain.
• Sitting at the computer: If you’re in the zone at work and forget to move around, you could end up feeling it on just one side of your back.
• Travel: Being stuck in a seated position for an extended period can cause muscle tightness. Dr. DeMicco recommends taking frequent breaks if you travel by car or walking around the airplane cabin whenever possible.

Usually, muscle-related pain will subside if you use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), rest the area and use an ice pack.

Left- or right-sided organ-related back pain

If the pain you experience is a little deeper in the back, and you’re having other symptoms as well, it could be related to an internal organ. See your doctor, because these are signs of an infection or irritation:

• Intestines: Inflammation of the colon may affect just one side of the lower back, but you’d probably also experience abdominal cramping, digestive problems and weight change.
• Kidneys: An infection or kidney stones may also cause one-sided back pain that occurs between the bottom of the rib cage and your hips. Again, you could expect to have other symptoms like blood in the urine, pain when urinating or fever.
• Uterus: Pain on the right side of the lower back may be due to fibroids or endometriosis. Along with the pain, you’d likely also experience menstrual irregularities, a frequent need to urinate and painful intercourse.

When to see a provider about one-sided back pain

“If you have pain in the left or right side of your back that started for no particular reason, it will most often resolve on its own or with minimal treatment,” says Dr. DeMicco. “Typically, we see 50% of cases resolving within two weeks and 75% resolving by six to eight weeks.”

Have you been dealing with intense pain for 10 days and over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t cutting it? Time to call your doctor, who may recommend:

• Stronger medicines: Prescription-strength muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications could take the edge off as your body heals.
• Manipulation: A physical therapist, chiropractor or osteopath could perform hands-on treatment that deliver relief.

“If your pain extends beyond six weeks, your doctor will likely recommend imaging,” says Dr. DeMicco. “An X-ray is usually the first step to ensure there isn’t a broken bone or some other obvious reason for the pain.”

• The most common cause of low back pain on the left side is a muscle strain. 
• Other causes of lower left back pain include a kidney infection, herniated disc, and pregnancy. 
• To treat lower left back pain, take OTC pain relievers, improve your posture, and apply heat.

A stabbing or throbbing pain on the lower left side of your back can sideline you from exercise and basic activities for days. The good news is that it's probably because you've strained some of your back muscles or ligaments, which will heal over time.

But in some cases, unilateral back pain, like on just the left side, signals a serious issue like an infection or injury that needs medical care.

Here are nine potential causes of pain on the left side of your lower back, when to consult a doctor, and how you can treat it yourself.

1. Muscle strain

The most common cause of lower left back pain is an injury to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the spine such as: 

• A fall or other accident causing back trauma
• A sudden twisting movement 
• An uneven distribution of weight, such as when you're carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder
• Poor posture

Signs your back pain is due to a muscle strain is if you feel sore, stiff, experience a stabbing pain, or have muscle spasms, says Michael Rosner, MD, a neurosurgeon at George Washington University's School of Medical and Health Sciences. 

2. Infection 

An advanced bladder infection or left kidney infection can cause a constant, aching pain that radiates through your left lower back.

If you have other symptoms such as burning urination, fever, or chills, see your doctor as soon as possible to check for an infection, says Anthony Chiodo, MD, clinical director of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at the University of Michigan.

3. Kidney stones

Kidney stones, which are mineral build ups in your urinary tract, can cause sharp, intense pain through the lower left side of your back as well as pain in the lower abdomen, groin, and below the ribs. Another common symptom is bloody urine. 

Smaller stones can pass through the urinary tract without treatment, but a urologist may need to remove larger stones via surgery or by using shock waves to break them up.

4. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where painful lesions grow on the outside of a person's uterus. It can cause low left back pain, along with intense cramping during menstruation and pain during intercourse.

5. Stress fracture

Overtime repeated physical activity, such as lifting weights or playing sports like tennis, rowing, and gymnastics can strain the spine, resulting in a stress fracture. 

The area may hurt when you touch it, and the pain may be too severe to respond to over-the-counter treatments. Most cases heal on their own in six to eight weeks, but the only way to get a proper diagnosis is through medical attention.

6. Pregnancy

More than two-thirds of pregnant women experience lower back pain, most often in the form of what is called posterior pelvic pain. 

Posterior pelvic pain is a deep, throbbing pain that you either experience on one or both sides of your lower back.

You will also probably experience general muscle soreness in your back as the baby grows larger. That's because the baby's weight can throw off your center of gravity, which may require you to compensate by working different muscles in your back.

7. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is when the joint that connects the hip bones to the lower part of the spine moves abnormally, becoming inflamed.

Inflammation in the left hip joint can cause a dull, aching pain in the left lower back, often accompanied by pain in the buttocks, or in the back of the left upper thigh. 

The condition can be chronic or a result of temporary stress. Risk factors include pregnancy, uneven leg length, or impact from an accident like a fall.   

8. Herniated disc 

Lumbar disks, the cushion of tissue between each vertebrae in the lower spine, can bulge or compress under stress, causing a herniated disc.

Most people have no symptoms from a herniated disc, but some develop pain and numbness on one side of their lower back, depending on where the disc is located. In rare cases, disks break or rupture, causing severe pain and requiring surgery to prevent permanent nerve damage. 

"If you have radiating leg pain or increasing leg weakness, or bowel or bladder dysfunction, go to the emergency room," Chiodo says.

9. Tumor

While rare, spinal cancer or a spinal tumor can cause back pain on the left or right side of the back.

Other symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, fever, numbness, weakness, or difficulty walking. However, it's important to note that this is a rare cause of back pain. 

Insider's takeaway 

Pain on the lower left backside is a common ailment and is usually the result of a soft tissue injury. Most back pain can be treated at home and should go away in a matter of weeks.

Having additional symptoms like fever or severe pain that persists for more than a few days may be a sign of a more serious underlying cause, such as a disk rupture, fracture, or an infection. 

Consult your doctor as soon as possible if your arm or leg feels numb, you have problems walking or standing, or if you lose control of your bladder or bowels. 

Stacy Lu is a health journalist in the Washington, D.C. area. She's written for The New York Times, Forbes, NBC News, HuffPost and more on topics ranging from the power of placebos to embryo adoption. Follow her on Twitter and see more of her work.

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