Does your lower left back hurt? These are the causes.

Did you know that 80% of adults experience lower back pain at some point in their lives?

Furthermore, it's one of the leading causes of missed work or abandonment of activities worldwide. But what are these reasons?

Regardless of the cause, this is a very common medical problem . And anyone who has experienced such an ailment knows how painful and debilitating it can be.

There are a number of reasons that cause this pain in the side, specifically on the left side, a condition that, believe it or not, is even more common than lower back pain on the right side.

For this reason and much more, it's important to understand the cause, as it will affect how you approach your treatment. Join us and discover the causes, symptoms, and how you can resolve it .

What will you find in this article?

• The 8 most common causes of lower back pain
• Why does my lower back hurt on the left side?
• What symptoms should I look out for?
• When should I see a doctor immediately?
• Most recommended treatments and solutions
• Practical tips for pain relief
• Exercises to relieve left lower back pain

The 8 most common causes of lower back pain

Why does my lower back hurt on the left side?

While left lower back pain is quite common, it can occur for a variety of reasons. We list the most common causes below:

1. Pregnancy. The weight of the growing baby and increased estrogen and relaxin levels loosen the back ligaments, which can lead to back pain during pregnancy. This is usually the most common cause.
2. Muscle tension or spasms. This is one of the most common causes of lower back pain on the left side and is generally considered a strain injury, caused by overuse of the muscles, which can be caused by sports or repetitive tasks .
3. Herniated disk or other spinal problems. The spine is made up of a series of vertebrae connected by the spinal cord. If the vertebrae are damaged, bulging, or if the cartilage is pushing them down, they can put pressure on the nerves and cause severe pain.
4. Shingles. This infection, which can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, penetrates the nervous system and can often cause painful, red bumps on the back and sides of the lower back.
5. Kidney problems. Kidney infections or the formation of kidney stones can also cause severe pain in this area.
6. Cancer. This may be due to cancer located in an area affecting the spine.
7. Urinary tract infection : If the pain is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, chills, frequent urination and blood in the urine, it is likely a urinary tract infection .
8. Inflammation of the pancreas , angina and/or heart attacks can manifest with pain in the left side of the back , ribs or waist, mainly.

What symptoms should I look out for?

• Back pain can range from a dull, throbbing ache to a sharp, stabbing pain. It can even alternate between the two.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Fever and changes in urination (such as pain when urinating or needing to urinate more often than normal).

When should I see a doctor immediately?

Initially, keep in mind that left-sided back pain will usually not be serious and will go away within a few days.

In other cases, it will be vitally important that you go to the doctor if the first thing does not happen , since the discomfort could be due to other more complex issues , such as infections, illnesses or serious injuries.

Pay special attention if:

• Your left lower back pain is accompanied by fever and general malaise.
• The discomfort worsens after a week and persists for a month.
• The pain is so intense that it makes it impossible for you to perform everyday tasks.
• The pain in your lower back on the left side spreads to other parts of your body.
• Your urine has blood in it.

It is important to report these additional signs and symptoms to your doctor when they persist, worsen, or significantly affect your quality of life.

A professional can help you diagnose and begin treating the root of the problem. The best way to avoid back pain is to see a specialist as soon as possible.

Most recommended treatments and solutions

Below we present the treatments you can consider to alleviate the common causes we've mentioned.

Keep in mind that while some of these may require medical supervision, here are some simple solutions that can help:

• During pregnancy, pregnant women should work on their posture. To relieve back pain during pregnancy , they can choose to sleep on their side with a pillow between their knees and do pelvic floor exercises. This can help provide greater relief. It's also recommended to apply hot or cold compresses to the painful area.
• Rest is the most important way to help with lower back tension . In these cases, you can help by placing a special pillow between your knees while sleeping. We also recommend using a lumbar pillow if you work sitting down and performing the exercises we'll show you below.
• Antiviral medications like acyclovir can help with herpes . This problem can recur, especially if someone's immune system is weakened by the disease. However, you should always take them under medical supervision.
• Kidney infections will need to be treated with antibiotics and increased fluid intake. Medications may also be used for kidney stones, and surgery may even be necessary. You'll need to consult your doctor to resolve this.

In some cases, medications are prescribed to relieve back pain , including lower back pain on the left side , and this is something that should strictly be resolved by a health professional.

However, it is important to know that there are specific painkillers for each ailment, as they need to provide different results on pain and its intensity.

Practical tips to relieve pain in the lower left back

• It is always advisable not to let the pain persist or get used to it; we should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
• Stay physically active to strengthen your body and thus avoid straining your muscles and joints. If you have difficulty moving, you can try yoga, which is a great ally for back pain.
• A sedentary lifestyle can manifest itself in many ways. If you're experiencing back tension, we recommend reviewing your posture and exploring techniques to improve it .
• We must strive to maintain a healthy diet, as being overweight can increase physical ailments due to the strain the body must endure.
• Staying in bed won't help you feel better faster. If we find comfortable positions and walk around occasionally, we may not need as much rest.
• If back pain occurs after sleeping , you may want to review how you sleep, your sleeping position, and whether you have the right mattress and pillow.

We all know that the back is a very important part of the body in our daily lives, and those who suffer or have suffered from pain in this area will know how essential it is to keep it healthy.

Prevention is so important to enjoy an optimal quality of life. A good way to stay active is to do simple exercises, ideal for lower back pain , that you can do at home.

6 Exercises to Relieve Left Lower Back Pain 

When performing these exercises, it's important not to force your body into uncomfortable or painful positions. Consult a professional beforehand for more information about any limitations you may have, including injuries, previous surgeries, or general impairments.

1- Pelvic flexion

Lying face up, with your feet parallel and a flexible ball under your sacrum, perform movements with your spine and pelvis, bouncing back and forth on the ball slowly and repeatedly. Do not force flexion; if there is severe pain, avoid it and stop.

2- Spine rotation

In a sideways position with one leg extended at a 90-degree angle, resting on a rolled-up mat or mattress, perform gentle movements by rolling the cylindrical support back and forth. This is a gentle, light exercise that will engage the spine. Alternate legs.

3- Lumbar micromovements

With one hand resting on each knee, bring your legs toward your abdomen as you exhale. The goal is to feel the stretch.

The lumbar region is strengthened and, through these micromovements, it is mobilized in all directions. This posture also massages the abdominal area.

4- Bend and stretch your back

While breathing calmly, bring your hands to the floor, bending your knees and bringing your chest closer to your thighs. If you can't touch the floor, rest your hands on a slightly elevated surface. Stretch your legs without lifting the soles of your feet off the floor, holding the tension as long as possible.

5- Half bridge

Keeping your feet parallel, your knees aligned with your hips, and your arms at your sides with your palms facing upward, raise your pelvis and spine until they form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. As you exhale, slowly lower your spine toward the floor, feeling each vertebra resting on the surface. Try to keep your weight evenly distributed, avoiding shifting it toward your neck.

6- Correction of back deviations

You can use a cane or broom handle to perform this exercise. Place your feet parallel to your hips and grasp the broom handle with both hands, relaxing your elbows and shoulders to protect the joint. Bend your knees, ensuring your spine is aligned exactly with the handle and your arms and head are positioned at the same height in the lumbar, cervical, sacral, or dorsal areas.

Some final tips!

If you suffer from chronic lower back pain on your left side , you may want to consider incorporating a daily exercise routine to improve this condition. Did you know that just one minute a day can help relieve your lower back pain?

In short, back pain is statistically likely to happen to most adults in their lifetime. However, diagnosis is very important , as, as you can see, it will be key to prevention and finding the right treatment.

Was this article helpful? Do you think you'll be able to identify what type of lower back pain you have based on the symptoms and preventative methods we've recommended? Don't hesitate to consult your doctor if the pain persists. Good luck!