Well, we’re getting ready to head off for a couple of weeks of family time and I must say, I’m really looking forward to it!
It’s been a busy few months, so it’ll be lovely to get away, spend some proper time with Charlotte and the kids and hopefully enjoy a bit of sunshine along the way. I’m sure travelling with three young children will provide its usual challenges but we’re looking forward to a change of scenery and a chance to recharge the batteries!
Back in the clinic, we’re getting ready for our next Nerve Pain and StimPod Workshop on Tuesday 27th October at Silvermere Golf Club, here’s the link https://westchiropractic.co.uk/back-pain-talk/.
We’ll be running sessions at 5pm and 6pm, looking at nerve pain on your backside, peripheral neuropathy and some of the different approaches available to help people struggling with these conditions.
If you’ve been experiencing nerve pain, tingling, numbness or neuropathy or know somebody who has, we’d love you to come along. It’s a great opportunity to learn a little more about what might be going on, how we approach these problems in the clinic and whether treatments such as StimPod could be suitable for you.
We’re also getting ready for our Halloween special, so keep your eyes peeled! We’ve got some exciting things planned, including a few opportunities to win and we’ll be sharing more details very soon.
Finally, a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to complete our recent client survey.
We’ve had some absolutely cracking feedback and it’s been brilliant to see so many positive comments about the team and the care we’re providing. Just as importantly, we’ve had some really useful suggestions about where we can improve.
As we continue to grow, it’s incredibly important to us that we keep listening to our clients and making sure we’re delivering the best possible experience. So thank you again for taking the time to help us do that. We really do appreciate it.
That’s all from me this week. If you’re heading away for half term, have a fantastic break and if you’re staying local, hopefully you’ll get a chance to enjoy some family time and a bit of relaxation too.
Have a brilliant half term and we’ll see you soon!
Have you ever woken up, stretched and suddenly felt a sharp pain on one side of your back?
Or perhaps you’ve been sitting at your desk all day, stood up to make a cup of tea and thought, “Ouch! Where on earth did that come from?”
Now you’re wondering: Is it a pulled muscle? Have I slept awkwardly? Could it be something to do with my kidneys?
Back side pain can be surprisingly confusing. Sometimes it’s a harmless muscular ache. Other times, it may be your body’s way of telling you something needs medical attention.
The good news? Understanding where your pain is coming from can help you make better decisions about what to do next.
Let’s explore seven possible causes, the warning signs worth knowing and some simple ways to look after your back.
What Is Back Side Pain?
Back side pain refers to discomfort along the left or right side of your back, often between your lower ribs and hips.
Doctors sometimes call this area the flank.
Your flank is home to several important structures, including muscles, nerves, parts of your spine and organs such as your kidneys.
This means pain in the same general location can have very different causes.
For example, pain that worsens when you twist may suggest a muscular problem, whereas deeper pain accompanied by fever or urinary symptoms could point towards a kidney related condition.
But here’s something important: You cannot reliably diagnose the cause of back side pain based on its location alone.
7 Possible Causes of Back Side Pain
1. Muscle Strain: The Classic “I Only Bent Down!” Moment
You’re picking up a shopping bag, moving furniture or reaching awkwardly into the car.
Suddenly, something catches in your back.
Sound familiar?
A muscle strain occurs when muscle fibres are stretched beyond their usual capacity or injured.
Common symptoms include:
- Tenderness on one side of your back.
- Pain when bending, lifting or twisting.
- Muscle tightness or spasms.
- Discomfort when changing positions.
Fortunately, many uncomplicated muscle strains improve with time, gentle movement and appropriate care.
2. Joint Related Back Pain
Your spine contains small joints that help you bend, rotate and move comfortably.
Like other joints in the body, these can sometimes become irritated or painful.
You might notice stiffness after sitting for long periods or discomfort during certain movements.
I often encourage patients to think about how frequently they change position throughout the day.
Sometimes, the problem isn’t one particular posture. It’s spending too long without moving.
3. Irritated Spinal Nerves
Ever experienced pain that seems to travel rather than stay in one place?
Nerves leaving your spine carry messages to different parts of your body.
When a nerve becomes irritated, symptoms can include shooting pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.
Conditions such as disc herniation may sometimes contribute to these symptoms.
Pain extending into your buttock or leg deserves an appropriate assessment, especially if weakness develops.
4. Kidney Stones
Here’s where things get interesting.
Your kidneys sit towards the back of your abdomen, just below your ribs.
Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals that form within the urinary system.
When a stone moves into the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder, it can cause severe pain.
Symptoms may include:
- Sharp pain along one side of the back.
- Pain spreading towards the abdomen or groin.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Blood in the urine.
- Pain occurring in waves.
Suspected kidney stone symptoms should be assessed promptly by a medical professional.
5. Kidney Infections
Unlike a pulled muscle, a kidney infection needs prompt medical treatment.
It often develops when bacteria travel from the bladder into one or both kidneys.
Alongside back side pain, you may experience fever, chills, painful urination or generally feeling unwell.
Back pain accompanied by fever and urinary symptoms is not something to simply stretch away.
Seek urgent medical advice if these symptoms occur.
6. Rib or Surrounding Muscle Irritation
Your ribs do more than protect your chest. They also move slightly whenever you breathe.
The muscles between your ribs and around your upper back can become strained, particularly after heavy lifting, exercise or persistent coughing.
This may produce pain that worsens when you rotate your body or take a deep breath.
However, unexplained pain with breathing, particularly with breathlessness or chest discomfort, needs prompt medical evaluation.
7. Pain Referred From Other Organs
Sometimes, the painful area isn’t where the problem actually begins.
This is called referred pain.
For example, certain digestive or abdominal conditions can produce discomfort felt in the back.
It’s one reason I believe we should never automatically assume that every backache is a spinal problem.
Kidney Pain vs Back Pain: How Can You Tell the Difference?
This is one of the most useful distinctions to understand.
Although symptoms can overlap, there are some clues.
| Feature | Muscular or spinal pain | Kidney-related pain |
| Location | Often lower back or around the spine | Often deeper, below the ribs and towards one side |
| Movement | May worsen with bending or twisting | Often less affected by movement |
| Sensation | Aching, stiffness, sharp pain or spasms | Deep ache or severe waves of pain |
| Other symptoms | Tenderness, limited movement, sometimes leg symptoms | Possible fever, nausea or urinary changes |
Remember, these are clues, not diagnostic rules. Kidney problems can occur without obvious urinary symptoms, while muscle pain can also be intense.
When in doubt, seek medical assessment.
What Can You Do to Relieve Back Side Pain?
If serious medical causes have been ruled out and your pain is related to your muscles or spine, small daily habits can make a meaningful difference.
Keep Moving, Even If It’s Gently
One of the biggest misconceptions about back pain is that complete bed rest is the fastest solution.
In most cases of uncomplicated back pain, staying gently active is better than remaining in bed for long periods.
Try comfortable, short walks and gradually increase movement as symptoms allow.
Break Up Long Sitting Sessions
Spending hours at your desk can leave your back feeling stiff and uncomfortable.
Try standing, stretching gently or walking around regularly throughout your working day.
There isn’t one perfect sitting posture. The key is finding comfortable positions and changing between them.
Experiment With Heat or Cold
A wrapped heat pack may help ease muscular stiffness, while a wrapped cold pack may soothe soreness.
Use whichever feels more comfortable, protect your skin and avoid excessive temperatures.
Build Strength Gradually
Your back works alongside your abdominal, hip and leg muscles to support everyday movement.
Exercises such as gentle pelvic tilts, controlled spinal movements and progressive strengthening may help when appropriate.
Start within a comfortable range and stop if symptoms worsen.
Important: These suggestions are for uncomplicated musculoskeletal pain, not suspected kidney disease or unexplained severe pain.
When Should You Worry About Back Side Pain?
Most backaches aren’t emergencies but some symptoms should never be ignored.
Seek urgent medical attention if back side pain occurs with fever, chills, blood in your urine, repeated vomiting or difficulty passing urine.
Emergency assessment is needed for new bladder or bowel control problems, numbness around the groin, significant weakness in both legs or pain after major trauma.
If your pain persists, keeps returning, or interferes with daily life, arrange a professional assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Side Pain
Why does only the left side of my back hurt?
Left side back pain may result from muscle strain, spinal irritation, kidney problems or other conditions. The location alone cannot identify the cause.
What causes pain on the right side of the back?
Right side back pain can have similar muscular, spinal or kidney related causes. Certain abdominal conditions may also produce referred pain.
Can sleeping awkwardly cause back side pain?
Yes. Sleeping positions or prolonged immobility may contribute to temporary stiffness, although persistent or severe symptoms should not automatically be blamed on your mattress.
Can a chiropractor help with back side pain?
Chiropractic care may help certain types of mechanical back pain, depending on the diagnosis.
After an appropriate assessment, treatment may include spinal manual therapy, movement advice, and rehabilitation exercises.
However, suspected kidney problems or other medical conditions require the appropriate medical professional rather than spinal treatment.
Your Back Deserves More Than Guesswork
Back side pain can be frustrating, especially when it interrupts sleep, affects your work or makes everyday activities uncomfortable.
But pain doesn’t always mean something is seriously damaged and you don’t have to keep guessing about what’s happening.
In my practice, I believe that understanding your symptoms is an important part of feeling more confident about your health.
Whether your discomfort is related to muscles, joints or something that needs further investigation, identifying the cause is the first step towards choosing the right care.
Wondering why your back keeps hurting?
Book a discovery visit at West Chiropractic here. We’ll listen to your concerns, discuss your symptoms, and help you understand whether chiropractic assessment is appropriate or whether medical evaluation should come first.
Your back supports you every day. Let’s give it the attention it deserves.
Reference
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, February 22). Flank pain: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2026, February 20). Kidney pain: Causes, treatment & when to call a doctor.
- National Health Service. (2026, March 5). Back pain.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Symptoms & causes of kidney stones. National Institutes of Health.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024, October). Symptoms & causes of kidney infection (pyelonephritis). National Institutes of Health.
