Intermittent Back Pain Right Side: What You Need To Know 2024
Updated on
- Written by Heather Freudenthal, Health Coach
Medically reviewed by
Brittany Ferri, Ph.D.
From pulled muscles, to repressed emotions, to kidney stones, having lower back pain on your right side can be caused by many things. It’s important not to jump to conclusions, yet equally as important to get a thorough medical examination to determine the root cause of your pain. On one hand, right lower back pain could be kidney stones symptoms, in which case, medication or dietary interventions may be needed. Talk to your doctor about how to get rid of kidney stones. On the other hand, if the pain is coming from a strained muscle, rest and physical therapy may be an appropriate treatment. Let’s explore intermittent right back pain, uncover the different reasons for it, and various approaches to healing.
Intermittent Back Pain Right Side: Is it an Emergency?
Appendicitis, ulcerative colitis, kidney stones, spinal stenosis, infections, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, and PMS are just some of the possible causes of lower right side back pain. Lower back pain can also be emotionally-driven, or due to a pulled muscle, and require nothing more than stretching, mindfulness, and relaxation. To assess whether your pain is a serious medical emergency, ask yourself if the pain is severe, if it’s getting worse, or becoming persistent. These are all indicators that you should seek immediate medical attention.
What Is Lower Right Back Pain?
Lower right back pain is pain felt on the lower portion of the back, slightly above the buttocks. Lower back pain can present on either side of the spine, or even in the middle of the back, however, different sides of the back may indicate different causes of the pain.
Lower Right Back Pain Causes
Back Muscle or Spinal Issues
Back pain could be a reflection of a pulled back muscle or issue in the spine. If you recently strained yourself during physical activity, this is likely the cause of your pain. For tense muscles, try CBD oil for back pain, and read up on the Joy Organics reviews. Strained muscles usually heal on their own, however, if there is an issue with your spine, a chiropractor or orthopedist would need to examine you to determine the necessary course of treatment.
Kidney Problems
Another common cause of lower back pain is kidney problems, such as kidney stones or kidney infection[1]. When certain minerals, such as calcium, build up in the kidneys, they can form stones, large or small. While smaller stones can pass out of the body through urine, larger stones can cause sharp pain on one side of the body. You can try using apple cider vinegar for kidney stones, but always consult your doctor first. Bacteria or viral infections, such as a urinary tract infection, can lead to a kidney infection, which if left untreated, can be very serious.
Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion[2] can happen in men when the testicals shift inside the scrotum, causing twisting of the spermatic cord. When this happens, blood flow to the testicles can be reduced or completely cut off. This can lead to severe pain in the lower region of the back, among other symptoms.
Pregnancy Related Pelvic Pain
When a woman is pregnant, her entire midsection expands rapidly to accommodate a growing fetus. As the fetus grows larger and the mother carries more weight, it can put a strain on her back and pelvic region. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to feel lower back pain during pregnancy, however, this doesn’t mean they have to suffer through it. If the pain becomes too severe, consult your doctor to establish safe ways to ease the strain.
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix,[3] a small organ in the digestive system. Pain can start off near the belly button, but move lower to the right side of the back. Appendicitis is serious and requires immediate medical attention, at which point, surgery may be deemed necessary.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease,[4] causing chronic inflammation to the lining of the colon/large intestines. This condition may be associated with other pelvic conditions which can result in lower back pain, among many other symptoms. UC is serious; if you have UC, you should seek out ongoing medical oversight.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects many women. Endometriosis happens when endometrial tissue, such as the uterine lining, starts to grow outside the uterus on other organs: the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, cervix. This condition can cause lower back pain on either side of the body.
Uterine Fibroids
Fibroids are benign growths[5] that can develop in the uterus, and can vary in size. Fibroids are not cancerous, however, they can cause pelvic and lower back pain. An ultrasound can detect uterine fibroids and a doctor can recommend surgery to have them removed.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is a type of infection that can develop when a sexually transmitted disease (STD) spreads to various reproductive organs. Pain in the lower back is one of many symptoms associated with PID. Screening and treatment for STDs can help prevent PID from developing.
Menstruation
Many women experience lower back pain during their menstrual cycles, or even during PMS (which usually occurs the week leading up to bleeding). Some research suggests that hormonal fluctuations during this timeframe may result in painful symptoms, however, high levels of inflammation[6] may be another culprit.
Emotions
Pain is often a physical manifestation of emotions, especially repressed ones, hence the saying: “The body expresses what the mind suppresses.” To be on the safe side, always get a thorough medical exam to rule out any serious health issues that may be causing your pain. If all tests are clear, consider any stressors, anger, or sadness that could be manifesting in your body.
Lower Right Back Pain Symptoms
Lower right back pain doesn’t feel the same for everyone. The sensations can vary depending on the cause of the pain and severity of the condition; muscle strains are different from an inflamed appendix. Here are some variations of pain to tell your doctor about:
- Aching
- Burning
- Throbbing
- Tightness
- Soreness
- Tingling
- Stabbing/Shooting
Self-care For Lower Back Pain
It’s always best to take it easy when you’re experiencing lower back pain. One way to engage in self-care for lower back pain is to rest and take a break from strenuous activity. Consider lightening up your workout routine, or delegating your physical tasks to someone else. You may also enjoy warm baths with epsom salt to ease muscle tension. Massages and acupuncture are also extremely relaxing and enjoyable. Try not to rely on NSAIDS[7], such as Advil or ibuprofen, because they can cause internal bleeding and organ damage. Heating pads, ice packs, and CBD creams are other natural options to try.
Lower Right Back Pain Treatments
Treatment for lower back pain varies depending on the cause of the pain. For example, while a hot water bottle may temporarily relieve back pain due to a kidney infection, the back pain will persist if the kidney infection itself isn’t treated. Depending on the nature and cause of the pain, a doctor may recommend stretching, heating pads, physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, or even surgery.
When To See A Doctor
Pain is a signal from the body to pay attention. It may be because there’s an emotional issue you have to deal with, or due to muscle strain, kidney stones, an infection, or because you pulled a muscle during your latest workout. If the pain is mild and fleeting, it shouldn’t be anything to worry about, however, you should see a doctor if your pain is sudden (appears out of nowhere) or if it is severe, persistent, or gets worse. You should also see a doctor if you’ve attempted to alleviate the pain on your own without success. Anytime pain is severe, it should be treated as a medical emergency.
Conclusion
Back pain on the lower right side could be attributed to a wide range of ailments, from physical, to chemical, to hormonal, to emotional. For this reason, it’s best not to assume anything, and always check with your doctor. This is especially important if your lower right back pain is frequent, ongoing, or severe, and especially if you notice it getting worse. Different treatments are available to treat both the painful symptoms, as well as the cause, however, this will need to be established by a medical professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
A little back pain during your menstrual cycle may be normal, however, anytime pain is severe, it is not normal. Severe pain during your period may be a sign of hormonal imbalances or inflammation, both of which can be alleviated with lifestyle adjustments.
Advil is an NSAID, a classification of drug that reduces inflammation. It may be safe to use very short term for acute inflammation, however, repeated use can have serious health consequences. It’s best to get to the root of the pain and treat it at the source.
Having tests done is the first step. Some back pain could be an indicator of serious, life-threatening illness, so ruling that out is imperative. If all tests show up fine, you may want to consider your stress and/or emotional state, as this can frequently manifest as physical pain, especially in the lower back.
+ 7 sources
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- Singh, V., Bir, B., Sharma, J. and Pradeep Chandra K (2020). Analysis of stones formed in the human gall bladder and kidney using advanced spectroscopic techniques. [online] 12(3), pp.647–668. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12551-020-00697-2.
- Laher, A.E., Shavania Ragavan, Mehta, P. and Adam, A. (2020). Testicular Torsion in the Emergency Room: A Review of Detection and Management Strategies. [online] Volume 12, pp.237–246. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/oaem.s236767.
- Téoule, P., Jan de Laffolie, Rolle, U. and Christoph Reissfelder (2020). Acute Appendicitis in Childhood and Adulthood: An Everyday Clinical Challenge. [online] doi:https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2020.0764.
- Singh, S., Feuerstein, J.D., Binion, D.G. and Tremaine, W.J. (2019). AGA Technical Review on the Management of Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Colitis. [online] 156(3), pp.769-808.e29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2018.12.008.
- Yang, Q., Michał Ciebiera, Maria Victoria Bariani, Ali, M.A., Hoda Elkafas, Boyer, T.D. and Ayman Al-Hendy (2021). Comprehensive Review of Uterine Fibroids: Developmental Origin, Pathogenesis, and Treatment. [online] 43(4), pp.678–719. doi:https://doi.org/10.1210/endrev/bnab039.
- Gold, E.B., Wells, C. and Neill, M.O. (2016). The Association of Inflammation with Premenstrual Symptoms. [online] 25(9), pp.865–874. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5529.
- Samik Bindu, Mazumder, S. and Bandyopadhyay, U. (2020). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and organ damage: A current perspective. [online] 180, pp.114147–114147. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114147.
Written by:
Heather Freudenthal, Health Coach
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
