A throbbing or stabbing ache in the lower left side of the back may prevent you from a workout or basic functioning throughout the day.
The good news is that it may be a result of a muscle or ligament strain that will eventually heal, it just needs time.
However, there are cases when a unilateral backache, like on the left side, is a signal of a more serious problem like an injury or an infection that requires medicinal treatment.
Below, check out the most common reasons why you may be experiencing pain on the left side of the lower back. We will also reveal when and whether you need to consult a doctor.
Pain in the Left Side of the Lower Back Causes
- Strained muscle
The most common reason why you may have pain in the lower left part of your back is a strained muscle, tendon, or ligament.
This could’ve been caused by a fall or another back trauma, a sudden twisting, carrying a heavy load on one shoulder, improper posture, etc.
Other symptoms of a strained muscle are soreness, stabbing pain, or muscle spasms.
- An infection
Sometimes, a bladder or a left kidney infection may trigger an ongoing pain that radiates through the left lower back.
If this pain happens along with other symptoms like fever, chills, and burning sensation while urinating, make sure you consult your doctor because you may have an infection.
- Kidney stones
These mineral buildups in the urinary tract may cause severe and sharp pain which is felt in the lower left side of the back. It also radiates in the lower abdomen, groin, and below the ribs.
Bloody urine is another symptom of stones. Smaller stones may be expelled through the urine without the need for treatment; however, larger ones may need to be removed through surgery or broken with shock waves.
- Endometriosis
This condition is when painful lesions grow on the outside of the uterus.
It may trigger a low left backache, as well as severe cramps during menstruation and painful intercourse.
- A stress fracture
An ongoing physical activity like lifting weights or playing sports such as rowing or tennis may cause spine strains that have caused a stress fracture.
The area may also be painful when touched. Sometimes, the pain may be so serious that it doesn’t reduce with OTCs.
Although most of these cases heal on their own within six to eight weeks, getting medical attention is essential.
- Pregnancy
Did you know that more than two-thirds of pregnant women have lower back pain or posterior pelvic pain?
This is a deep and throbbing ache that can be experienced on one or both sides of the spine. You may also feel general muscle soreness in the back as the baby grows.
This is due to the baby’s weight throwing off your center of gravity, resulting in a need for compensation by employing other muscles in the back.
- Herniated disc
The lumbar disks are the cushion of tissue between each vertebra in our lower spine. Under stress, they may compress or bulge, resulting in a herniated disc.
Some people don’t experience symptoms; however, in others, pain and numbness in one side of the lower back may happen, depending on the disc’s location.
In rarer cases, the disk can rupture and result in serious pain and the need for surgery to avert long-term nerve damage.
Head to the ER if you experience bowel or bladder dysfunction, weak legs, and leg ache.
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