Lower Right Back Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lower right back pain not only causes severe pain but also makes you uncomfortable. Back pain also creates difficulties while walking, sitting as well as lying down. You may experience pain and discomfort in your lower back for numerous reasons. Sometimes, the pain can be so severe that it may cause several severe health conditions.

Here, we have tried to provide all the details about the lower right back pain problem. Read on to learn the major symptoms, causes, as well as treatment options to get rid of the lower right back pain.

What Are The Causes Of Lower Right Back Pain?

1. Muscle Strain

This is considered one of the most common causes of back or lower back pain. You may face muscle strain for various reasons. Lifting heavy weights without proper posture is considered one of the common ways. Moving quickly or in the wrong way can also be the leading cause of muscle strain.

2. Degenerative Disk Disease

Although rare, degenerative disk disease is considered the most severe cause of back pain and may cause other health conditions. This occurs when the discs in the lumbar region start to break down slowly. While it may begin with a simple muscle ache, it can grow and cause severe lower back pain.

3. Kidney Problems

Sometimes, back pain may be caused by problems in the internal organs. Health issues with kidneys, which are placed near the base of the spine, can also cause severe pain. Some common kidney problems that can cause pain are kidney stones and kidney infections.

4. Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a type of bone infection that can also be the cause of lower back pain. This infection arises in the body due to bacterial infection or staph infection.

5. Herniated Lumbar Disk

In this situation, the outer ring of the lumbar disc gets cracked, and the gel-like solution inside it starts to leak from the crack. This may result in the eruption of moderate to severe pain. Along with this, it can also cause the loss of control over the bowel as well as the lower part of the body.

The pain also depends upon the mode of the rupturing of a disk. This condition appears when you lift something which is beyond the spine’s handling. Degenerative disc disease can also be the reason behind herniated lumbar disk.

6. Sciatica

The compression of the sciatic nerve, which is located at the back of your legs can cause severe pain which may spread to your legs from the lower back due to the length of the sciatic nerve.

Some of the other reasons for the pain in the lower back are Sacroiliac joint dysfunction as well as some cancers.

What Are The Symptoms Of Lower Right Back Pain?

1. Dull, Aching Pain

The continuous pain in the lower back region is known as dull aching pain. The pain will be mild and not sharp, burning, or stinging. The pain might come with mild to severe spasms of muscles, difficulty in mobility, and hip and pelvis aches.

2. Pain In Legs, Feet, And Buttocks

The pain in the lower back may spread to the thighs, lower legs as well as feet. This pain will be stinging and sharp and provide a numb sensation. This pain is normal when you are suffering problems with the sciatic nerve. It usually appears on one side of the body.

3. Pain After Sitting For A Long Time

The disc may feel extreme pressure after prolonged sitting. This may cause severe pain. Thus, it is recommended to perform some stretching exercises as well as walking to reduce the pain in the lower back pain. However, you must be regular, as the symptoms might return once you start sitting again.

4. Feeling Better After Changing Position

Sometimes, you may feel the pain reducing, which provides temporary relief. For example, in spinal stenosis, you may feel relieved by leaning forward on something while it gets tough to walk. You can recognize the source of pain if your symptoms change after changing the position.

5. Pain After Waking Up

Many people experience sharp pain in the lower right back area while waking up. This pain can be reduced after moving around. This occurs due to decreased blood flow while sleeping or using a bad-quality mattress or pillow.

How To Get Rid Of The Lower Right Back Pain?

1. Rest

Sometimes the problem is caused by working long hours. You just need some rest to get rid of the pain. Also, avoid lifting heavy weights for 2-3 days and limit your back movement. Making yourself more comfortable may help relax the back muscles and repair the damage they may have experienced. Bring yourself back to the routine after 2-3 days.

2. Ice

Placing a cooling compress on the affected area can also be highly useful. It helps reduce the pain and swelling and helps with recovery.

Aavoid placing ice directly on the painful area. Just put some ice in a towel and make an ice pack. Place this ice pack on your skin for 15-20 minutes.

3. Hot Compress

A hot compress can also be highly effective. Heating the affected area helps loosen the tightened muscles that are causing pain. You can use it in combination with the cold compress. Alternate and apply the hot and cold compress for 20 minutes.

4. Light Stretching And Exercising

Performing light exercises, as well as stretching, prove beneficial in reducing lower right back pain. Do not perform any activity if you feel the pain is caused due to the injury. Also, avoid doing exercises if you are experiencing problems after exercising.

Keep in mind that the abovementioned treatment is only for lower right back pain caused due to muscle problems. If you are experiencing pain due to more severe reasons,  consult with your doctor immediately.

When to See The Doctor?

It is necessary to get expert medical help if you see any severe signs or symptoms. Some of the major lower right back pain symptoms that require medical attention are listed below.

• Prolonged pain for more than 3-4 weeks
• Pain which worsens with time
• Back pain with fever due to unknown reasons
• Pain makes performing daily activities such as doing household work and picking items up difficult
• Lower back pain which is not improving after trying home remedies
• Lower right back pain along with abdominal pain
• Numbness as well as tingling sensation in other areas of the body along with lower right back pain
• Severe pain which causes difficulties in sleeping
• Back pain which arises due to any type of accident

Conclusion

The level of pain in lower right back can range from mild to severe. Some people can barely function normally, and their overall lifestyle is affected. To know how to treat it, one must know what can bring about lower right back pain, such as muscle strain, degenerative disk disease, kidney issues, or sciatica.

Home remedies like rest, ice and/or heat therapy, and mild exercise can help treat muscle pain, but you must see a doctor if it does not improve or worsens. Knowing the signs and when to seek help will assist you in your pain management, get you the help when you need it, and improve the long-term health of your back.

• Aug 2017
  Written by Prajakt
• Nov 2024
  Edited by Lakshmi Gayatri