According to a source, 80% of the Americans will have pain in the lower left side of their back. Over 50 billion dollars are spent in order to treat this issue every year. There are multiple reasons for having left side back pain. Though there are some minor things such as muscle strains for which the body will heal itself within a certain time. However, if the pain persists, then you may require the attention of a specialist. Let’s have a look at the three reasons behind the back pain on the left side of your body.
- Muscle Strain
This is perhaps the most common reason for the left side back pain. When your muscles in the back get overworked due to a fall or any such reasons, you will feel this pain. In most cases, torn muscles are the cause of the pain. So, your doctor will begin your treatment by asking about your medical history and checking the following:
- The weakness of the muscles
- Some signals that will indicate a rupture in the muscles
- Feel of discomfort during multiple range motion exercises
- Localized tenderness
The bottom line is, left side back pain due to muscle strain could be really painful but within a few days, it will go away.
- Spinal Structure
If the cause of your left side back pain is not muscle strain then the doctors will next check whether the pain is related to your spinal structure. Some of the common causes of the left back pain due to the spinal structure are;
- Facet joint pain
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Lumbar herniated disc
If your doctor finds out that spinal structure is the cause of your pain then he or she will perform any of the following;
- Neurologic exam
- Leg raise test
- Reflex test
Also, if the doctor feels necessary then he or she may ask you to have an X-ray, MRI or CT-scan that will reveal the actual cause of the pain.
- Internal Organs
Though it is very less common, the cause of your left side back pain might be the problems in your internal organs that includes;
- Pregnancy
- Pancreatitis
- Kidney infection
- Ulcerative colitis
- Kidney stones
- Gynaecological disorders
If the internal organs are the cause of your back pain then your recent medical history will be really helpful in determining the right treatment. Also, you may have to go for an X-ray, MRI or CT-scan to confirm that the internal organ is the cause of your left back pain.