Pain in my lower back right side

Right-hand side pain of your lower back is caused by conditions that affect your muscles and the interconnected structures of your spinal column including your facet joints, discs and nerve roots as well as some serious health problems.

Muscle strain is the most common reason for low back pain and it can cause pain mainly on the lower right-hand side of your back. A muscle strain occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn through twisting, lifting heavy objects or if it encounters an impact such as a sports injury or car accident. Typically, the pain from a muscle strain feels better within a few weeks and does not require medical attention.

Lower right back pain can also have orthopaedic and neurological causes including:

• Lumbar herniated disc – the jelly-like disc between two vertebrae may protrude or leak on the right side of your spine and become inflamed causing dull low back pain. It can also cause pain to radiate into your buttock and/or right leg.
• Facet joint pain (osteoarthritis) – arthritis may affect the facet joints in your spine and cause stiffness and discomfort in your lower right back. Sometimes a bone spur may compress your nerve on the right side of your spine and lead to lower right side back pain and local tenderness.
• Spinal stenosis – your spinal canal may narrow due to a herniated disc, bone spur or other obstruction and cause lower right back pain that may travel along your spinal nerve root.
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – can cause your sacroiliac joint on the right side of your pelvis to move too much or too little and lead to pain in your lower right back and/or right hip.
• Ankylosing spondylitis – early signs of this degenerative condition may present as lower right back pain and/or right hip pain.
• Degenerative spondylolisthesis – when a worn vertebra slips forward over another vertebra and puts strain on your lower back spine-supporting muscles. This can compress or irritate your nerve roots and cause lower right side back pain and pain along the sciatic nerve in your right leg.
• Spinal tumours - may press on the right side of your spine or on a nerve root and cause lower right back pain.

• Kidney disorders - kidney infections and stones can cause pain on one side of your back.
• Colon disorders - such as inflammation of your appendix and inner walls of your large intestines can manifest as back pain.
• Female reproductive problems - including endometriosis and benign growths within the walls of your uterus can sometimes cause back pain.
• Cancer tumours - may cause pain that begins in your abdomen and radiates to your back, sometimes on one side.

Tips to relieve the pain

• Stay active and continue your daily routines. Resting is likely to make your pain worse.
• Apply heat or ice for about twenty minutes frequently throughout the day to ease your pain and any inflammation.
• Try exercises for back pain and activities including walking, swimming, yoga and Pilates.
• Take over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen.
• Stretch tight muscles for a few minutes every day.
• Keep good posture as this will ease the pressure on your lower back.
• Maintain a healthy weight to ensure an optimal load on your lower back.
• Ensure you lift safely by bending with your knees to a squat position and holding the load close to your chest.
• Drink plenty of water every day and limit your intake of animal protein and salt to reduce your risk of kidney stones.
• Wipe from front to back when going to the toilet to prevent infection from bacteria in your colon passing to your urinary tract.
• Give up smoking as the nicotine in tobacco can weaken your spinal bones and remove nutrients from your discs that may lead to spine problems.

When is the right time to seek professional advice?

• continues after a few weeks
• worsens or if you have sudden severe pain
• interferes with your quality of life and stops you doing daily activities
• occurs with other concerning symptoms such as incontinence, numbness or weakness in the legs, fever, nausea or vomiting.
• Most cases of lower back pain on the right side are not medical emergencies. However, if you have symptoms of appendicitis, kidney infection, kidney stones or testicular torsion you should see a doctor immediately

About back and spinal treatments at Ramsay Health Care 

Ramsay Health Care offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic assessments and treatments for upper and middle back pain including radiology services,osteopathy, physiotherapy, pain management clinics, rheumatology, injection therapies and surgery.

Our experienced health professionals including Chartered Physiotherapists offer one to one advice for your tailored treatment and exercises plan to help relieve your upper and middle back pain. Some of the highest qualified and experienced orthopaedic, rheumatology and pain management consultants in the UK work with Ramsay Health Care to provide the best individual healthcare for your needs.

What organ is on the lower right side of your back?

When should I worry about right side back pain?

How can I tell if my back pain is kidney related?