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Lower back pain on the right side of your body is a common issue for many and can have multiple reasons.
This guide shows you all the typical causes that can lead to lower back pain on the right side.
But first, we want to help you get rid of the pain, so here are some tips.
How to be pain free
- Rest: Taking a break from activities that may be causing or contributing to the pain can help to give the muscles and ligaments time to heal. It’s important to rest for a day or two, but avoid prolonged periods of inactivity as this can cause the muscles to weaken and make the pain worse.
- Home back pain fix: for immediate relief and also for a long time solution you need to loosen tight muscles and improve flexibility. But, speaking from experience, most people are not going to a yoga class or to a chiropractic clinic. So if you want almost instant improvement AND work on your right side back pain in the comfort of your home (without any piece of equipment) you need to try this (LINK). It’s my personal favorite.
- Ice/Heat: Applying ice to the affected area can help to reduce inflammation and numb the area, providing relief from pain. It’s important to wrap the ice in a thin towel to avoid frostbite, and to apply it for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. When you apply heat to the affected area you help to relax the muscles and increase blood flow, which may reduce pain. It’s important to avoid applying heat for more than 20 minutes to avoid burns. We have a whole article on what to apply.
- Over-the-counter pain medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help to reduce inflammation and pain. It’s important to follow the instructions on the label and to speak with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or questions.
Here are now some of the reasons that might cause your pain:
Back Muscle or Spinal Problems
The lower back is home to some of the most overworked muscles in the human body. As a result, it’s no surprise that lots of people accidentally tear or overstretch these muscles from time to time.
Even sitting in improper positions can lead to back pain in the lower regions, especially with today’s sedentary lifestyles.
But of course, there are other possible reasons for pain in your lower right side that all are connected to issues with your spine. We have an entire section on different causes, like a herniated disc, which can cause pain to radiate near the affected area. Herniated discs can be caused by improper physical activity or just sitting without good posture for too long.
The overall point is that your lower back pain on the right side might be caused by direct muscle or tissue damage in that region. This may mean you’ll need treatment in the form of painkillers, hot and cold therapy, stretching, or even minor surgery.
Kidney Issues
The kidneys are located on either side of your spine beneath your ribcage.
But your right kidney actually hangs slightly lower than the left kidney, which can increase its likelihood of causing lower back pain on that side if it becomes infected or otherwise disturbed.
Kidney stones or kidney infections are relatively common in adults, particularly those with poor diets or who consume a larger amount of alcohol regularly.
Kidney problems can cause irritation and inflammation to the surrounding tissue, eventually expanding to your back muscles or spinal tissue.
Thus, the treatable issue is the kidney problem, which doesn’t have anything to do with your spine.
Kidney stones are structures made up of excessive insults and other minerals normally passed in your urine. If they lodge in your ureter, however, they can become stuck and may build up over time, making it difficult and painful to pass later.
Bacteria like E. coli often cause kidney infections. This originates in your bowel and can eventually reach your kidneys and/or bladder.
Appendicitis
The appendix is like a miniature tube attached to the large intestine.
It sits on the lower right-hand side of your body.
More than 5% of all people will experience appendicitis at least once during their lifetime, typically between the ages of 10 and 30.
Appendicitis occurs when the appendix is infected and becomes inflamed.
If this is the case, the appendix will swell as appendicitis progresses, which can cause tenderness in that side of the body. It eventually becomes extremely painful all throughout your abdomen and can extend to your lower back, although the lower back is likely to be affected earlier rather than later.
Appendicitis is a serious issue and requires immediate medical treatment.
If not treated, the appendix can burst and spread infected tissue throughout your abdominal cavity, potentially causing a life-threatening incident.
Female Causes
Women have a few specific cases in which they may experience lower back pain on the right side.
Endometriosis
This condition occurs when uterine tissue grows improperly outside the uterus. Such tissue growth can irritate the surrounding organs like the fallopian tubes or ovaries. This can manifest as cramping and dull ache-like pain in the front and side of your lower right. Surgery or hormonal therapy may be recommended to treat endometriosis.
Pregnancy
Many pregnant women experience lower back pain on the right side from general weight gain and their overall changing bodies.
Round ligaments also develop over time; these connective tissues help support the uterus as it expands, and pregnancy often causes the ligaments to stretch. The resulting pain is not unlike general muscle soreness.
Furthermore, urinary tract infections are widespread during pregnancy and can cause pain in the lower right side of your back.
These are so common because of bladder compression, which occurs as the uterus expands and the baby inside the womb presses on surrounding organs.
Male Causes
Men also have a male-specific cause that might lead to lower back pain on the right side.
Testicular Torsion
This condition occurs when the spermatic cord becomes twisted; this is the core that carries blood to the testes and lies in the scrotum. Blood flow to the testicles can be reduced or cut off, causing severe and sharp pain in the groin and lower back regions. This medical emergency requires immediate surgery, or the testes may be lost.
Conclusion
Overall, the various reasons you might experience lower back pain on the right side don’t change the correct course of action: see a doctor if the pain becomes particularly intense or lasts for more than a few days.
Because it’s difficult to tell precisely what’s wrong, a medical expert’s opinion is the most valuable information you can get, especially if it’s a major issue developing quickly.
Talk to your doctor to get treated without complications if you experience severe lower back pain on the right side.
If you need help instantly, the best way would be to look at the stretches that help many people.
You should also watch this video because it looks at back pain from a new angle and is worth watching.