Lower back pain is a problem that will affect 8 out of 10 people in America at some time in their lives. The pain can be anywhere from dull ache to a throbbing intense pain that disables the person. Low back pain is the most common illness in the United States as well as being the second highest sickness causing lost time from work. Colds and flu are the only illnesses that are higher. Some people experience pain on the lower right side, whereas others have lower left back pain. Treatment may vary depending on where the pain is as well as the severity of the pain.
Some of the symptoms that may indicate lower back pain are pain that may be either dull or intense, pain in the lumbar spine region or shooting from the back to the thigh and buttocks. If the pain gets worse during the day after lifting but improves after rest, the pain may also be described as lower back pain. Other symptoms are relief from the pain in the morning, decreased range of motion in your body and muscles spasms in the lumbar region. You may have lower back pain in the lower right or lower left back. Pain treatment is often the same for both sides, depending on any other symptoms you may have with the pain.
Patients that suffer from kidney problems will often have lower left back pain. Treatment for pain in this area should be prescribed conservatively. If the individual has pain due to serious kidney problems, they shouldn’t be treated as if they had pulled muscles in the back. More damage can take place in the back with the wrong type of treatment. This is one example on why the Medical Associations have developed lower back pain treatment guidelines as a way to encourage specific treatments for specific lower back pains.
So many people today suffer from lower back pain, but when the pain is localized in one side, it is often easier for the doctor to pinpoint the problem quicker, as some problems may develop on one side but not the other side. Many people that suffer from lower left back pain have more problems when they are in a certain position, either lying down or standing. A hip problem, a sciatic nerve problem or a disc hernia may all cause lower left back pain. Treatment however would not be the same for all of these conditions. Often an MRI needs to be taken to see if there is any visible damage causing the lower left back pain. Treatment will usually start conservatively with over-the-counter medications and physical therapy.
It is always important to see a doctor if any type of lower back pain lasts more than a couple days. Failure to seek medical attention can result in further back problems that may take longer to heal.