Lower Left Back Pain

Lower back pain on left side is a problem experienced by many individuals. Reasons may definitely vary in each case. You might experience it due to various reasons including improper use of back muscles, improper posture, incorrect way of exercising, etc. One of the main causes is overuse of back muscles, related to repetitive exercise or lifting weight and other such movements. In addition, obesity also places extra weight and pressure over your lower back. Here is detailed information about various causes of the same.

Left Lower Back Pain Causes

Intense lower back pain, especially on the left side during pregnancy is quite common. Growth of uterus and other hormonal changes during pregnancy are amongst the basic causes of lower back pain. As uterus expands, it shifts the center of gravity of your body along with other changes like stretching and weakening of abdominal muscles. This automatically changes your body posture leading to strain over lower back. Extra weight being carried during this period, means more work for muscles and increased stress on joints, which is why back feels worse at the end of the day. If growing uterus is pressing on a nerve, it may be another cause of this pain. Joints and ligaments that attach pelvic bones to the spine may be loosened due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, making a pregnant women feel less stable. This causes lower back pain while sitting, standing and walking, for a long duration.

Back pain while breathing is most commonly caused because of a muscular injury. Muscles spasms are caused due to sudden movement of your body. There is a chance of spasm response with each breath. Pain while breathing can also be caused due to a pulled diaphragm muscle. This pain often radiates throughout your chest, abdomen and back making you feel much uneasy. Moreover, lower back pain while breathing is also known to be an indication of serious health problems like cardiac and pulmonary conditions. Hence, if you suddenly experience such symptoms, it's recommended to consult your doctor soon and get the same treated. If you have been examined to rule out possibility of any serious health problem, then there is nothing to worry about. Breathe slowly and observe to find a pattern that gives minimum pain.

Kidney infection is also one of the possible causes of back pain in this area. Pain in the flank area on your back, on sides of your spine and above the hip region is often cause due to kidney infection. This pain increases as your bladder gets full or it may also travel towards the genital area. This type of pain is a result of infection and inflammation in kidney tissues and is generally severe. Due to infection, your kidney swells and stretches the pain sensitive capsule around kidney, leading to pain in lower back area. Kidney stones also cause pain in left lower side of back which is commonly accompanied by other problems like blood in urine. You might also feel pain and burning sensation during urination and fever. This pain will be relieved when kidney infection is cured or kidney stone passes out.

Pain in left side of lower back can be caused due to problems with your stomach and gastrointestinal system. Back pain in this area is also one of the many symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Many a time pain in left side of lower back is caused due to muscle imbalance. Muscle imbalance can lead to various physiological problems apart from back pain and hence, need to be treated immediately.

Preventing Lower Back Pain

• Your posture is the most important element in preventing pain in this area. It is very crucial to maintain a correct body posture all the time.
• While sitting on a chair for longer duration, mostly sitting in front of the computers, left side of your back is under constant strain and this can lead to left lower back pain. Don't lean forwards and try to keep your back straight while sitting on a chair.
• Don't stay in the same position for long duration. You should keep taking breaks in between while sitting in a chair for long time to avoid back pain.
• Keep lower back supported with a small pillow while driving a four wheeler vehicle if the seat doesn't provide lower back support. Also use a pillow in office if your chair does not provide lower back support. Keep your back straight while driving a two wheeler vehicle.
• Bend in your knees while lifting any object from the floor. Don't bend your back.
• Be careful and slow while turning, twisting and bending your body as sudden movements can also put lower back under strain.
• Exercise and follow the right techniques while doing so. Do not overdo any type of exercises. Do not suddenly increase the amount of exercise. Gradually increasing the duration and amount of back exercise won't lead to strain on your body.

Exercises for Relieving Lower Back Pain

Exercise is definitely helpful in getting relief from back pain. But, remember that you must take doctor's advice before starting any sort of exercises if you are already experiencing back pain.

Simple Stretching Exercises:

• Lie flat on your back. Lift your neck and bring chin close to the chest. Bring your knees towards the chest and hold them with your hands. Count ten and then bring neck and legs back to original position.
• Lie on your stomach and push your upper body off the floor using your arms, keeping the chin up. Count ten and come to the initial position.
• Lie on your back and bend your knees. Keep your feet flat over the floor. Tighten your abdomen and buttocks and push lower back off the floor. Count of five and relax.

Other Exercises:
Walking exercise, yoga and swimming for about half an hour on alternate days are some of the effective exercises for lower back pain.

Myths About Lower Back Pain

Myth #1: Take complete rest while you have lower back pain.
You can rest for a day or two if you have a lower back pain. But after that, you need to have some movements and mainly walk around and exercise. Remember, complete rest will worsen the pain and slow your recovery.

Myth #2: Any back pain is the same.
It's not. It can be acute or chronic. Acute means a short term pain which may last up to a few days or at the most for a few weeks. Generally the pain that lasts for more than three months is chronic back pain. This type of pain can just come and go in flares. Mostly the lower back pain on left side is acute but it may worsen if no proper care is taken.

Myth #3: Worse the pain, worse is the damage.
The amount of back pain is not directly proportional to the amount of damage caused. A degenerated disc won't be much painful at first. Or a slight lower left side back pain can be an indication of some severe problem as well.

Myth #4: Exercise will worsen lower back pain.
Performing exercises for lower back pain will help in strengthening the back muscles and help them heal properly. Obviously, you have to exercise in the right way and not overdo the same while you are experiencing severe back pain.

Keep your lower back supple and strong with regular care and strengthening exercises. Don't ignore even slightest of the pain because if not taken care it may worsen and become severe. It is always better to be careful and take regular care to avoid lower left back pain.