Lower Left Back Pain: 9 Causes and Treatment

Lower back pain (LBP) is an incredibly common medical condition. It affects nearly 7 out of 10 adults at some stage in their lives. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that lower back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide.

Lower back pain is often caused by injuries to muscles, ligaments or the spine such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. However, when the pain is felt on one side of your back, such as the lower left side of your back, it can be a sign of a more serious issue with internal organs like the kidneys, colon, uterus or pancreas.

Read on to learn the different causes and symptoms of lower left side back pain from internal organs in both males and females. Plus, discover your diagnostic and treatment options, and learn when to know if your pain is an emergency.

Causes of lower left side back pain

Causes and symptoms of lower left side back pain from internal organs

While many assume back pain is musculoskeletal and therefore the sign of a back injury, several organs situated in the abdominal and pelvic cavities can refer pain to the lower left back. This occurs because the nerves supplying these organs travel near the same spinal pathways as those for the back muscles.

Some internal causes of lower left back pain include the following:

• Kidney stones: These are hard buildup of mineral and acids that are made up of chemicals in the urine. Pain occurs whenever a stone shifts or when your body tries to get rid of a kidney stone by pushing it from the kidneys to the bladder. Along with lower left back pain, kidney stones can cause symptoms like pain radiating to the groin, pain during urination, a persistent urge to urinate coupled with difficulty in doing so and bloody or cloudy urine.
• Kidney infections (pyelonephritis): A left kidney infection can lead to lower left back pain, ranging from a dull ache to intense discomfort. Often originating in the urinary tract and bladder, kidney infections can escalate and spread to the kidneys. The pain, typically located next to the spine above the hip, often becomes more pronounced with movement or pressure and other symptoms include fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. The pain will be on the lower right side of the back if the right kidney is affected.
• Pancreatitis: This condition occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, often resulting in severe upper abdominal discomfort that can radiate to the lower left area of the back. This discomfort can be worsened by eating (especially fatty foods). In cases of short-term pancreatitis, the pain may persist for hours or days. Chronic pancreatitis can cause discomfort that lasts considerably longer and is often accompanied by fever, a rapid heartbeat and tenderness around the abdomen.
• Ulcerative colitis: This type of inflammatory bowel disease causes your colon (large intestine) to become inflamed, causing pain and cramping. The abdominal cramping in particular can manifest as acute shooting pain in the back and abdomen, affecting the left side of the lower back. Patients suffering from ulcerative colitis often also experience diarrhea, rectal discomfort and stomach cramping.

Causes of lower left side back pain in females

While anyone can be impacted by lower back pain caused by internal organs like the kidneys, colon, or pancreas, there are some types of internal lower left back pain that impact females in particular. They can be a result of the following:

• Endometriosis: This chronic and often painful medical condition grows tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus. This tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the lining of the pelvic cavity. In rare cases it even grows beyond the pelvic organs. Back pain is a common symptom of endometriosis, along with painful intercourse, excessive bleeding, and chronic pelvic pain.
• Uterine fibroids: Uterine fibroids are masses that grow on the uterus. While they're typically benign, they can result in lower left side back pain in females. They can also cause abnormal menstruation and frequent urination.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy can lead to physical changes like weight gain, poor posture, and uterus expansion. These changes can cause lower back pain or sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy.

Causes of lower left side back pain in males

As discussed above, some types of lower left side back pain can be gender-specific. In males, lower left side back pain caused by internal organs can a result of the following conditions:

• Prostatitis: Lower left side back pain in men can be linked to issues with the prostate, a gland found only in males. A serious condition such as prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate, can lead to discomfort and pain in the lower back region. Common symptoms include pain in the groin, difficulty urinating, and a frequent, urgent need to go at night.
• Prostate cancer: Another reason for lower left back pain in males can be a manifestation of prostate cancer, particularly if the cancer has advanced and spread to the nearby areas or bones. This pain may arise as the cancer affects the nerves and muscles in the lower back and can be accompanied by blood in the semen or urine, erectile dysfunction, and unexplained weight loss. Early detection and prompt medical attention are vital, as early-stage prostate cancer may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms at all.

When is lower left side back pain an emergency?

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms alongside your back pain, you should seek emergency medical care, as the pain may be indicative of a serious or life-threatening issue:

• Sudden, severe pain in your lower back
• Inability to control your legs
• Numbness or tingling where a saddle would touch you (your perineum)
• New occurrence of bowel or bladder accidents
• A fast change in the severity of your back pain
• Fever and/or chills
• History of IV drug use
• Vomiting
• Pain or burning while urinating
• Changes in your urine's appearance, such as bloody, cloudy or foul-smelling urine

If the pain is mild but is still not resolving within a week, you should still consult a healthcare provider. They can conduct an examination, discuss your medical history, and run diagnostic tests to identify the cause of your pain.

What does treatment for lower left side back pain look like?

The path to recovery depends entirely on whether the pain is musculoskeletal or organ-related. In order to properly diagnose and treat lower left side back pain, your healthcare provider may require labs or imaging – like an x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan to examine soft tissues and check for any internal injuries or growths.

Conditions such as kidney stones can cause acute low back pain, and a physical examination might be required to help diagnose any underlying causes of low back pain.

Treatment options can range from OTC pain relievers or muscle relaxers to prescription medications, physical therapy or surgery. For pain that is not related to a serious internal organ condition, the following treatments are often recommended:

• Staying active: Contrary to old advice, bed rest can stiffen the back further and restrict range of motion. Gentle movement and walking help maintain blood flow to the affected area.
• Alternating ice and heat: Using ice packs for the first 48 hours to reduce acute arthritic inflammation and then heating pads to relax muscle spasms can help ease most common causes for lower left side back pain.
• Over-the-counter (OTC) relief: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can manage swelling and discomfort effectively, but should not be used if you are pregnant.
• Lifestyle modifications: Future flare-ups can often be prevented by evaluating ergonomics (especially for those doing heavy lifting), staying hydrated (to prevent kidney stones), and practicing stress-reduction techniques (often as part of wellness efforts).

How Sesame can help

If you’re dealing with lower left back pain, it can be hard to know whether it’s a pulled muscle or something more serious. With Sesame, you don’t have to wait weeks for medical advice. You can book an affordable online doctor visit or in-person doctor visit with a licensed clinician, often as soon as today.

The process is simple: browse providers, choose a price and time that works for you, and join your appointment through a secure video link or see someone in person. A doctor can help you understand your symptoms, recommend a treatment plan, connect you to physical therapists and provide prescriptions if needed.

Getting care quickly can give you peace of mind—and make sure you’re not ignoring something that needs attention.

FAQs about lower left back pain

What could cause low left back and abdominal pain?

Pain occurring in both the lower back and the abdomen is often related to the digestive and urinary systems. Conditions like kidney stones can cause pain that radiates from the back toward the front of the body. On top of that, gastrointestinal issues such as ulcerative colitis or even severe constipation can cause pressure and cramping that is often felt in both the abdomen and the lower left back.

How to know if lower left back pain is the kidneys?

Kidney-related pain can typically be felt higher up and deeper in the back than a classic muscle strain, often just under the ribcage on either side of the spine.

To understand whether lower left back pain is related to the kidneys, medical professionals take a look at all of the patient’s symptoms. If you experience fever, chills, nausea, or changes in your urine (such as blood or foul smell) alongside your back pain, it is likely a kidney issue rather than a musculoskeletal injury.

What could cause back pain on the left side in the middle of my back?

Mid-back pain on the left side is frequently related to the pancreas or the spinal column. Pancreatitis often causes pain that starts in the upper abdomen and bores through to the middle of the back.

However, middle back pain can also be caused by spinal column issues like herniated discs, poor posture, or muscle strain around the ribcage. If your back pain worsens specifically after eating, you should book an evaluation with your healthcare provider since it could be a sign of digestive issues.