All The Reasons Why You're Experiencing Lower Left Back Pain

Sarah Hudgens
·8 min read
2
urbazon / Getty Images
urbazon / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Amy Kwan, PT

Back pain is an extremely common problem and one of the top reasons people visit their healthcare provider or the ER each year. In fact, more than 80% of people will experience back pain at some point.

The lower back, around the lumbar spine, is where most back pain tends to occur. This type of pain can develop on the right or left side of the spine. The pain can vary from person to person, but may feel like a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain for most people. It's common for some types of back pain to develop over time, while other episodes can come about suddenly.

A variety of possible reasons can cause lower left back pain specifically. Knowing why you're experiencing your pain can help you and your healthcare provider learn how to treat your symptoms and prevent the risk of more serious complications.

What Does Lower Left Back Pain Feel Like?

Lower left back pain may occur in a single spot, or you may feel it over a larger area. The pain may even move around or shoot into other parts of your body. In general, lower back pain is classified as either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term):

  • Acute lower back pain: Occurs suddenly, usually after you lift something heavy, fall down, or otherwise injure your back. Acute pain lasts between a few days and a few weeks.

  • Chronic lower back pain: Generally lasts longer than acute pain. Back pain is considered chronic if it occurs daily for longer than 12 weeks.

Symptoms of lower left back pain can either be constant or come and go. Most people experiencing this type of back pain develop one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Sharp or stabbing pain in the lower left back

  • Dull ache in the lower left side, usually above the hip

  • Tingling or burning in the back or buttocks

  • Stiffness or tightness of the muscles on the left side of the back

  • Pain or weakness that spreads to your legs, hips, or feet

Depending on what's causing your lower left back pain, the pain can sometimes worsen when you walk, bend down, or lift something heavy. In other cases, inactivity or sitting for long periods of time can lead to increased pain.

Which Organs Can Affect the Lower Left Back?

Several organs sit in the lower left side of the abdomen, and any of them can potentially lead to lower left back pain. These organs include your:

Potential Causes of Lower Left Back Pain

Several health conditions and injuries can cause pain and discomfort in the left side of your lower back. While you can prevent some episodes of back pain, there are certain factors that can increase your risk of developing back pain, such as:

  • Older age

  • Being assigned female at birth

  • Low fitness level

  • Obesity

  • Having a job that requires heavy lifting

  • High-stress levels

  • Family history of back problems

Spinal Injury

Most cases of back pain are known as mechanical—meaning they involve the spine or surrounding tissues. Injury to the back is a common mechanical cause of lower back pain. Lifting something too heavy, falling down, or experiencing some type of impact on the spine can all lead to injury.

Specific injuries that can cause lower left back pain include:

Herniated Disc

Your spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae and spongy discs that sit between these small bones that cushion or pad them. These discs wear down over time, so repetitive movements and the natural wear-and-tear on your body can make it easier for one of these discs to slip out of place or rupture. Lifting a heavy item or twisting the back may also cause a rupture. When a disc slips or ruptures, the nerves around it become irritated and cause pain.

Compression Fracture from Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a health condition that causes brittle or weak bones due to loss of bone mass and density, especially as you age. If you have osteoporosis, you are more likely to experience a fracture. If any of the vertebrae in your spine fracture, lower left back pain may often occur.

Inflammatory Diseases

Several health conditions can lead to inflammation in the lower left back area. Inflammation puts pressure on the spinal nerves and often causes pain. Conditions that can cause inflammation in the lower back include:

  • Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis

  • Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis that affects the spine

  • Spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the spinal canal

  • Infections of the vertebrae or the discs between them

Cancer

Cancerous tumors in your back can put pressure on the spinal cord and its surrounding nerves, which often leads to back pain. Spinal cancer and bone marrow cancer may also cause holes to develop in the bone, which increases the risk of spinal fractures and worsening back pain.

Curvature of the Spine

Structural conditions such as scoliosis (a sideways curve of the spine) and kyphosis (a hunchback) are conditions that affect the shape and curvature of your spine. These conditions can often lead to pain in the lower left side of your back.

Non-Spinal Conditions

Spinal problems or injuries aren't the only reason you experience back pain. Damage or inflammation in your internal organs in the lower left abdomen can also cause extreme discomfort. Some conditions that may lead to back pain include:

In addition to the above organ-related conditions, pregnancy can also cause lower left back pain.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Although lower left back pain is common, some of its causes can be dangerous and require immediate treatment. Infections, spinal fractures, cancer, and compression of the spinal cord are all serious causes of concern.

Call or make an appointment with your healthcare provider right away if you have:

  • Severe pain after an accident or fall

  • Blood in your urine

  • Leaky urine

  • Back pain that moves down into your leg past your knee

  • Pain that worsens when you lie down

  • Fever that accompanies your pain

  • Redness or swelling in the back

  • Numbness or weakness below the back

How Healthcare Providers Diagnose Back Pain

When you go in for an appointment, your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and your personal and family health history. Your healthcare provider will likely also feel your back to look for signs of sensitivity, warmth, or lumps that could be causing your pain. In most cases, your provider will order certain tests to understand what's causing your back pain and make a diagnosis. These tests include:

  • A physical exam to look at your spinal structure and assess your mobility

  • Imaging tests (e.g., X-rays, CT scan, MRI) to get a detailed internal picture of your spine

  • Blood tests to look for evidence of inflammatory or other health conditions that may be contributing to your pain

How To Treat Lower Left Back Pain

Treating back pain as soon as you begin to feel it can help you resolve symptoms more quickly. Most pain resolves on its own in four to six weeks, but certain treatment methods can help it move along. Common treatments for lower left back pain include:

  • Performing light exercises, such as stretching or walking

  • Applying an ice pack and heating pad alternatively on the back to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow to the area

  • Taking medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), or prescription strength drugs that help relax your muscles

  • Starting physical therapy to learn exercises that increase mobility in your back and improve posture

  • Trying complementary treatments such as a massage or acupuncture

  • Getting surgery, which only applies in severe cases if your back pain is not improving with other treatments

How to Prevent Lower Left Back Pain

There are many ways to protect your back and help prevent mechanical pain from developing again. Here are some strategies to try:

  • Do strengthening and flexibility exercises to keep your back muscles strong (on the advice of a physical therapist or other healthcare provider)

  • Use proper form to lift heavy objects

  • Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods

  • Wear supportive shoes

  • Make sure desk chairs and car seats have adequate lumbar support

  • Ask your provider about what sleep position you should use at night

  • Maintain healthy habits such as eating a nutritious diet, engaging in physical activity, limiting alcohol and tobacco intake, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress

Living With Lower Left Back Pain

If your pain does not resolve within four to six weeks, your healthcare provider may dig deeper to find the root cause of your pain. Sometimes, addressing the root cause relieves the pain. Other times, the pain becomes chronic and needs further treatment.

Almost 25% of adults in the U.S. live with chronic low back pain. Chronic back pain often uses many of the same methods for acute back pain, such as hot and cold therapy, flexibility exercises, acupuncture, pain-relief medications, and gentle activities such as tai chi and yoga.

Back pain can significantly affect the quality of your life—so if you're experiencing symptoms, it's in your best interest to receive medical support. Without treatment, some types of lower back pain can cause further injury, neurological problems, or disability.

A Quick Review

Lower left back pain can stem from various mechanical issues or health conditions, ranging from injury to the spine to conditions that affect your internal organs. Using careful preventive measures, getting a timely diagnosis, and following your treatment plan are all crucial to managing this kind of pain. If you have sudden, severe, or persistent back pain, contact your healthcare provider to determine the cause and learn the next steps to minimize your symptoms.

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