Even human body experiences wear and tear. With several years of lifting, bending, and turning, this can definitely put some stress on your back. Not only that, repetitive stress can make you suffer from achy back pain every day.
In fact, lower and upper right side problems can be an indicator of a more serious health issue. Such discomfort could significantly affect your family, career, and quality of life.
Did you say you woke up with a lower and upper right side back pain? Here are the top causes of lower and upper right side back pain:
Muscle Strain
Keep this in mind – you’ll know that it’s a lower or upper right side back pain once you can’t move one part of your back and work normally. Say for instance, picking up your phone from the study table or just eating is suddenly too hurtful. It can be all because of muscle strain or cramps.
Muscles in your lower or upper back consist of a group of tied muscles which function together so you can do your daily routine. As soon as they aren’t aligned correctly, they will no longer perform properly. Other than that, they may also impact your bones in your back and may possible misalign them slightly.
Spinal problems
While back pain seems to be the universal complaint, most middle-aged individuals are likely to experience back pain than the younger ones due to back or spinal muscle issues according to Dr. Noah Finkel, M.D., a well-known private surgeon and the spokesperson of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. It’s all associated to lifestyle.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke added that roughly 80% of adults in America complain painful back pain. Usually, these pains were caused by your incorrect posture leading to muscle tightness, tearing or incorrect lifting resulting to overstretched ligaments.
Pregnancy-related issues
For expecting mums out there, low back pain is a common thing.
They may feel pain at the first trimester of their pregnancy since the body begins to generate relaxin, a certain hormone which helps in loosening the necessary body ligaments as it prepare it for delivery.
However, if it’s accompanied by spotting and rhythmic cramping, this can lead to miscarriage. When this happens, call your doctor promptly.
Endometriosis
Are you suffering from back pain few days before your period? You are not alone. Approximately 10% of women in the United State experience this. Although it is not completely explainable why this condition can cause lower back pain, expert believe that it’s the result of lesions, nerve damage or inflammation that are close to the spinal cord.
Generally, this condition happens once the uterine tissues develop in fallopian tube or ovaries instead on the womb.
Complications on kidney
Once your right kidney hangs lower than the other one and got an infection, inflammation or irritation, it will lead to lower back pain. Complication on kidney may either come as kidney infection or kidney stones.
When you kidney stones, these pertains to pebble-like thing inside your body formed out of salts and excess mineral typically found in your urine. As soon as these stones enter your ureter, you will definitely feel throbbing and cramping pain on your groin, back and lower abdomen. Ureter refers to the tube which is responsible for carrying urine down to your bladder.
Kidney stone symptoms include urgent or painful urination, bloody urine (sometimes), etc.
On the other hand, kidney infection is relatively the same with urinary tract infection. However, if this condition isn’t treated immediately, it will result to deadly blood infection and permanent kidney damage. Hence, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention once you found out that it’s a kidney infection.
Signs That Your Lower Right Back Pain Needs Immediate Medical Attention
Cauda equine syndrome
If your lower or upper right back pain includes bladder or bowel dysfunction, numbness, weakness or sharp pain, do not ignore! This can be a sign of cauda equine syndrome or a condition which happens when the exiting nerve roots situated at the bottom of your spinal canal become inflamed as well as compressed.
Appendicitis
Meanwhile, if the pain are accompanied with a fever, vomit or even nauseous feeling, go immediately to the nearest hospital. Appendicitis is dangerous. Symptoms include unbearable lower right back pain and on the right side of the abdomen.
Osteomyelitis
Also known as spine infection, osteomyelitis comes with redness or swelling around your spine, fever and unexplained weight loss.
For a rule of thumb, when your lower back right side pain cease you already for doing your daily routine like sleeping, walking and many more, it is best recommended to consult a doctor to avoid further complications.
Most common ways that help ease lower and upper back right side pain
Depending on the severity and cause of the lower back pain, it will improve in a number of weeks or months. Here are some of the most common ways that help ease back pain:
Choose the right pillow
The right sleep pillows are not just comforting, but they also play an integral role in supporting the obscure structures of our hips, shoulders, head, neck and spine. When used on form, pillows can be of utmost help in preventing or alleviating many common types of neck and back pain, besides hips, shoulder and other sorts of joint pain.
While we sleep, pillows intend to keep our upper body in position, which relieves pressure and counterbalances the points on our body. The pillow must be adjusted to complement with your unique curves, shape and sleeping alignment and ease any pressure points.
The most recommended sleep postures to help your back
The way we sleep plays an essential part in managing our back pain, as particular sleeping positions place more amount of tension on the back compared to others.
Supported side sleeping and back sleeping are generally considered as most ergonomic, whereas stomach sleeping have a tendency to be most related to pain.
Regardless of the sleeping alignment you preferred most, below are tips to help you keep comfortable throughout the entire night.
- When sleeping on the side, a firm pillow stuck between your knees will avert your upper leg from tearing your spine out of position and minimize stress both on your lower back and hips. Place a rolled towel or a small pillow beneath your waist to support your spine.
- When sleeping on the back, put a small pillow below your knees’ back to lessen stress on your spine. It also supports the natural arc in your lower back.
- If you are a stomach sleeper, it is important to put a flat pillow under your pelvis area and stomach so your spine can be in good position. A pillow for the head must be flat. Otherwise, sleep without using a pillow.
- When making a turn in bed, do not bend or twist at the waist. Instead, move your whole body as a single unit. Bend your knees to the chest when rolling, and keep your stomach tightened and pulled in. Keep your hips, shoulders and ears in position when sleeping as well as when turning.
These days, you can find a variety of pillows, such as shoulder pillows and back pillows to help alleviate the back pain you are dealing with. You can always ask the professional help of your therapist.
Therapy is important also.
Often, physical therapy is one of the preferred options for treating injury and long-term pain (chronic pain). In addition to making you stronger, it is also an excellent aid in helping you feel and move better. Though therapy includes a lot of training, the benefits you can gain both physically and emotionally are matchless.
How does it treat back pain? Therapists are not only expert in treating pain, but its roots as well. They will determine your areas of stiffness or weakness that adds strain to the spots that hurt. They will now treat those areas with particular exercises to lessen pain and help you achieve a quality life.
Physical therapy exercises for correct movement
Balance exercises – specifically designed to improve balances for walking. This exercise regime strengthens ankle, hip and knee muscles.
Shoulder exercises – includes resistance band, active and isometric exercises to help restore the key strength in your shoulder.
Rotator cuff exercises – helps improve the strength for throwing, lifting and overhead movements.
Pills
Oxycodone. Codeine. Morphine. These are just some of the popular pain medications for those who suffer with back pain. Depending on the type of pain that your back is struggling with, a doctor might advise you the following:
- OTC or over-the-counter pain relievers
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like naproxen sodium or ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil, etc.), could ease acute back pain. These medications should be taken as directed by a doctor, as overuse may lead to severe side effects.
- Narcotic pain relievers
Also known as opioid pain relievers, narcotics are used only for treating severe pain that other types of painkillers cannot ease. They work for short term relief. Particular drugs, like hydrocodone or codeine, can be taken for a short span of time with strict supervision by a doctor. When used thoroughly under the direct care of your doctor, they can potentially reduce pain.
- Muscle relaxants
If your mild or moderate back pain doesn’t improve with over the counter pills, your personal doctor may prescribe you a muscle relaxant. This type of medication can make you sleepy and dizzy.
- Topical pain relievers
These may be ointments, salves or creams that must be rubbed into your skin at the area of your pain.
Don’t take these pills unless you’re under a doctor’s care. Never change the dose or stop taking the drugs suddenly without talking with a doctor.
Lower and upper back right side pain leaves us an uncomfortable feeling. As soon as the pain occurs, it is important to visit a doctor immediately and take precautionary measures to alleviate the pain. When ignored, this can lead to a more serious problem.