Severe pain in your lower back typically occurs due to a problem in your spine or hip but may also originate from your internal organs. This blog provides a guide to the accompanying symptoms and potential causes of acute, severe lower back pain. Show
Lower back strain is a common cause of sharp lower back pain. Watch: Lower Back Strain Video Range of symptoms that may accompany sharp pain the lower backAcute pain in your lower back may be limited to one or both sides. You may also feel that the pain originates from a particular spot on the left or right side of your lower back. Sharp lower back pain typically includes one or more of the following symptoms and characteristics:
These symptoms may be aggravated or relieved by specific postures or activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, and lying down. While spinal pain typically resolves in a few days to weeks, the symptoms can become debilitating, significantly affecting your daily activities. advertisement Common musculoskeletal causes of severe lower back painThe most common causes of acute lower back pain include a sudden or repetitive injury to one or more structures that support your back, such as muscles, ligaments, joints, and intervertebral discs. Muscle strainA pulled muscle (muscle strain injury) can send intense flareups of pain, spasm, and stiffness across your lower back. This injury may also be localized and cause sharp pain in the left or right side of your lower back. Common symptoms of a muscle strain injury in your lower back include:
The pain is typically relieved when you recline with support and elevate your legs or lie down and elevate your knees. Following the PRICE protocol may also help relieve pain and heal the injured muscle. See Pulled Back Muscle Treatment Lumbar herniated discYour spinal discs serve as shock absorbers between your vertebrae, support your upper body, and allow a wide range of lower back movements. If your lower spinal disc(s) herniates, it may leak its inner contents, irritating or compressing a nearby spinal nerve root.1 The resulting cascade of inflammatory events causes a variety of symptoms, such as:
When these symptoms originate from your sciatic nerve roots (L4 to S3), it’s called sciatica.2 Herniated disc symptoms may be relieved by taking anti-inflammatory medications and performing specific types of lumbar extension exercises, which may also help heal the disc. More intense medical treatment(s) may be required when significant neural compression occurs with severe symptoms. Read more: Lumbar Herniated Disc: What You Should Know Piriformis syndromeThis pain syndrome affects the piriformis muscle, located deep in your buttock. If you have piriformis syndrome, your buttock and hip become painful, and this pain may be referred to your lower back.3 Common symptoms include:
Piriformis syndrome pain may be relieved by taking pain-relieving medication. In severe cases, muscle relaxants (obtained through a prescription) may help relieve muscle stiffness and pain. Long term management usually includes piriformis muscle stretch and physical therapy. Read more about Piriformis Syndrome Treatment Sacroiliac joint dysfunctionSacroiliitis, a condition that causes inflammation and dysfunction of your sacroiliac (SI) joint, which connects the bottom of your spine to your pelvis on each side may cause4:
Pain-relieving medications in combination with postural correction and sacroiliac joint exercises may help reduce the acute symptoms. Medical treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation may be required if the joints are severely inflamed and irritate nearby nerve tissues. See Treatment Options for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction While these are relatively common patterns, the actual presentation of these conditions can vary significantly, making it difficult to self-diagnose the root cause of pain. It is also possible for severe lower back pain to occur with no identifiable cause. This condition is called nonspecific lower back pain.5 advertisement Acute back pain due to inflammation of internal organsPain in your lower back may occur due to the inflammation or irritation of an internal organ or may be a sign of infection. Organs of the mid-back, abdominal, or pelvic regions can cause pain specifically in the right or left side of your lower back or be generalized throughout the area. Common examples of lower back pain stemming from internal organs include:
Women may develop lower back pain from specific conditions, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis, and pregnancy. View Slideshow: 7 Ways Internal Organs Can Cause Lower Back Pain Caring for your lower back pain can help reduce the symptoms and improve function in your back and legs. While lower back pain typically subsides in a few weeks, some underlying problems may cause your pain to become chronic, lasting for months. See Back Care for Lower Back Pain Consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis of your lower back problem to help understand if your pain originates from your lower spine and/or hip or form an internal organ. A doctor can conduct relevant medical tests to diagnose your pain and formulate an effective treatment plan. Learn more:Causes of Lower Back Pain Non-Surgical Treatments for Lower Back Pain References
What organ is in lower back above buttocks?The lower back has 31 nerves. As well, organs such as the kidneys, pancreas, colon, and uterus are located near your lower back.
What causes stabbing pain in lower right side of back?Possible causes of lower back pain on the right side include sprains and strains, kidney stones, infections, and conditions that affect the intestines or reproductive organs. People should consult a doctor if they experience lower back pain that does not improve with rest or affects their daily life.
What is sharp pain above right buttock?Sciatica
It's a sharp or burning pain that radiates down your sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your buttocks and down each leg. You can also have numbness or tingling in the affected leg. These stretches may help you find relief.
What causes sudden sharp pain in lower back?Acute low back pain is most often caused by a sudden injury to the muscles and ligaments supporting the back. The pain may be caused by muscle spasms or a strain or tear in the muscles and ligaments. Causes of sudden low back pain include: Compression fractures to the spine from osteoporosis.
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