Pain in the left side at the waist level from the back in men: main causes

The lumbar region is the area of the spinal column that is subjected to the most stress. Sudden lifting of weights, prolonged uncomfortable posture, weakened muscle corset - all this can lead to periodic complaints of lumbar pain. However, if the pain occurs sharply, sharply, as if shooting through the lumbar region when moving, and especially bending the body, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Lower back pain when bending over may be a signal of more serious problems with the body that require immediate help. In the absence of professional treatment, this unpleasant symptom can result in a dangerous exacerbation of related diseases of the back and internal organs.

Possible causes of lower back pain when bending over

There are many reasons for worsening pain in the lumbar region when bending the body. First of all, pain in this area differs into primary and secondary.

Directly primary lower back pain occurs due to soft tissue diseases or problems with the spinal column in this area. It can be:

lower back injuries (blows, falls, bad turns, sprains);
intervertebral hernia;
displacement of the vertebrae or intervertebral disc;
osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region, radiculopathy;
myositis, tuberculosis, lumbar polio.

Secondary pain is reflected from other organs, which are thus transmitted to the lower back. In this case, we may be talking about diseases of the genitourinary system and intestinal tract.

Pain in the lower back when bending over can also be a warning about an unhealthy lifestyle or inadequate physical activity in this area. It may be associated with prolonged stay of the body in one position (sedentary work, long periods of driving), lack of sports activity, or, conversely, overwork in the gym.

Sources of pain

The cause of lower back pain can be determined by taking into account the accompanying symptoms.
Pain in the lower back area on the left in men is a signal of a malfunction of a specific organ or system. It could be:

pinched nerve or inflammatory process in this area - pain occurs as a result of irritation of nerve fibers;
inflammation of muscle structures, which, in addition to pain, occurs with swelling, hyperemia, paresthesia, and impaired mobility of the corresponding section;
distant pain, which is caused by dysfunction of a nearby internal organ.

One of the common causes of aching pain in the lumbar region on the left in men is a pathology of the spinal column - osteochondrosis. Mild pain high or low in the back occurs already at the initial stage of the disease. Among the reasons for the development of degenerative changes are a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, deficiency of calcium and chondroitin in the body, etc.

Pain and aching on the left side of the back can occur due to disruption of the spleen, left kidney, intestines, pancreas and stomach, or prostate gland. To exclude relevant diseases, an ultrasound analysis of organs, MRI or CT, and a general urine and blood test are performed.

Sharp pain radiating to the limb indicates inflammation of the sciatic nerve or pinching

When making a diagnosis, the doctor pays attention to the nature of the man’s pain syndrome. Discomfort is divided into 2 types:

Aching, dull, dragging, monotonous. The pain does not radiate to other parts (leg, waist, buttock, etc.), it is present only in the lumbar region. Discomfort does not depend on movement or changes in body position. It gets worse with prolonged standing, sitting, or lying down. May indicate a chronic inflammatory process.
Sharp, sharp, stabbing, cutting, with lumbago in adjacent sections (gluteal, limb, etc.). Often, against the background of such discomfort, back mobility is limited and paresthesia occurs. The symptom intensifies with loads, movement and bending, or stepping on a limb. Signals an acute inflammatory process.

The localization of pain symptoms is also important:

With irradiation to the left limb or buttock, an inflammatory process occurs in the nerve roots of the lower lumbar region.
Diseases of the upper lumbar vertebrae and intervertebral discs, intestinal tract, prostate gland (prostatitis, etc.) spread to the groin, testicle and scrotum, and abdominal area.
If it occurs during physical activity and radiates to the limb, we can indirectly speak of inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Pain in the left side at the waist level from the back in men can be accompanied by an increase in general or local temperature, malaise, and an increased urge to empty the bladder and bowels. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, discomfort may depend on food.

In what cases should you urgently consult a doctor?

Trying to cope with pain on your own, much less endure severe pain, is unacceptable. However, in some cases, if there is severe pain in the lower back, a visit to the doctor must be arranged immediately. This:

recent injury to the lumbar region or spine;
a rise in body temperature in parallel with an increase in pain;
acute pain that does not go away within several hours (days);
feeling of numbness in the legs, lower back;
movement and coordination disorders;
problems with urination or defecation.

Diagnosis of back pain in men

Back pain is one of the most common neurological symptoms, often accompanied by impaired sensitivity, motor function and other neurological disorders. In order to discover the cause of pain and make a diagnosis, a consultation with a neurologist is required. Magnetic resonance therapy is used as an objective diagnostic method. MRI is an effective and safe procedure that can detect almost all diseases that lead to back pain.

Shpidonov Gennady Stanislavovich

Neurologist

Rostov State Medical University (neurology)

10 years of experience

Complex therapy

To achieve maximum effect and enhance the positive outcome of treatment, several approaches to treating lower back discomfort are used. This:

Drug therapy. Includes various medications for oral administration (analgesics, muscle relaxants, chondroprotectors, vitamins), anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments and gels, injections, medicinal patches.
Physiotherapeutic procedures (SWT, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, acupuncture, darsonvalization).
Dieting.
Bed rest, restriction of movements, wearing a corrective corset.
Physiotherapy. This therapy works well in cases where lower back pain is caused by weak muscles and lack of physical activity.
Manual therapy and massage courses. Taking such courses is beneficial for the whole body in general, and under the hands of a professional, pain in the spine is very quickly relieved.
Surgical intervention. This is a last resort measure for treating low back pain - the basis for surgery is serious diseases in this area that cannot be cured in any other way.

Treatment options

When a man has lower back pain on the left side, treatment is determined taking into account the cause of the discomfort.

When a doctor's help is vital

An alarming symptom is numbness in the groin area and cramps in the limbs.
It is recommended to immediately consult a physician if the following symptoms are present:

progression of pain intensity with irradiation to other parts of the body;
pain that cannot be controlled with medication;
the appearance of symptoms characteristic of paresthesia of the lower extremities;
cramping syndrome in the legs;
erectile dysfunction, impaired potency;
the presence of blood in the urine.

Urgent surgery may be required, so delaying going to the doctor is not recommended.

Spine pathologies

With osteochondrosis, the pain will be constant, which will require complex treatment and the use of painkillers.
Local and oral painkillers help reduce the intensity of pain symptoms and eliminate the syndrome. In severe cases, blockades with painkillers are placed. The latter are injected intramuscularly into the area where it hurts.

There is little symptomatic treatment. For diseases of the spinal column, an integrated approach is needed, therefore, along with painkillers, the following is prescribed:

drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors, vitamins, etc.;
spinal column traction;
physiotherapeutic procedures: magnetic and laser therapy, ultrasound, electrotherapy, shock wave treatment, etc.;
therapeutic massage and physical exercise;
special diet.

In some cases, rehabilitation measures may be necessary to eliminate residual symptoms: staying in sanitary resort conditions, mud applications, etc.

Pathologies of internal organs and nerves

Severe paroxysmal pain in the lower back is caused by kidney stones.
The main condition for a speedy recovery is making the correct diagnosis and immediately starting appropriate therapy.

If the pain is caused by an inflammatory process in an internal organ, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed to suppress the reaction: Nimesil, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, etc. Appropriate formulations in tablet form help reduce the severity of pain: Diclofenac, Nise, Nurofen, etc.

Etiotropic treatment is prescribed taking into account the cause of pain:

in case of intestinal dysfunction: enterosorbents, probiotics and prebiotics, antibiotics, etc.;
in case of prostate dysfunction: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, antivirals, drugs to increase muscle tone, etc.;
for neurological pathologies: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, hormonal compounds, vitamins, etc.

The complex prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures, physical therapy, and massage.

Conservative treatment of low back pain

Initially, almost all patients are prescribed conservative therapy for diseases that cause low back pain. But, unfortunately, sometimes men make the disease so severe that when it does force them to see a doctor, the only way to correct the situation or at least improve it is through surgery. Therefore, it is important to contact a chiropractor, neurologist or vertebrologist as early as possible, before the existing disease has time to lead to the development of complications or irreversible consequences.

As a rule, men are prescribed complex treatment, the main components of which are:

drug therapy;
manual therapy;
massage;
individual sessions with a rehabilitation specialist;
physiotherapy.

The complexity and duration of treatment for low back pain depends on the stage of development of the disease and the presence of concomitant disorders. But it is always aimed at reducing discomfort and eliminating the causes of its occurrence, that is, both symptomatic and etiotropic therapy is carried out.

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, men are advised to reconsider their lifestyle:

give up fatty foods and reduce weight as much as possible if you are obese;
increase the level of physical activity during “sedentary” work;
avoid overstraining the lumbar spine;
to refuse from bad habits;
eat so that the body receives all the nutrients it needs.

Sometimes a chiropractor may recommend that a man purchase a special orthopedic lower back brace. It will help reduce the load on the spine and create optimal conditions for the restoration of its structures.

Treatment tactics are selected strictly individually depending on the diagnosis.

Expert Opinion of a Doctor

At the first pain in the spine, you should consult a doctor at a clinic or an appropriate specialized medical center. Under no circumstances should this situation be left to chance. Remember that damage to the spinal motion segments can lead to segmental disorders of the spinal cord, deterioration of the peripheral blood supply to organs and systems in the male body, in particular, blood supply to the pelvic organs, which ultimately leads to decreased libido, impotence and even disability .

Personal: Udovenko Bogdan Viktorovich

Orthopedist, chiropractor, vertebroneurologist, osteopath

Experience: More than 20 years

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Drug therapy

Drug treatment is aimed at eliminating lower back pain, as well as eliminating the inflammatory process and activating regenerative processes. Therefore, it is selected separately for each patient. Most often, men are prescribed:

NSAIDs are drugs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, produced in the form of drugs for oral administration, injection solutions, topical agents, and rectal suppositories;
corticosteroids are drugs with pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, which are preferably administered parenterally and in short courses to avoid the development of severe side effects;
muscle relaxants - medications that help relax overly tense (spasmodic) muscles and, consequently, reduce pain;
chondroprotectors are drugs aimed at activating the restoration of cartilage tissue, but giving positive results only when used at the very first stage of the development of osteochondrosis. To prevent diseases of the musculoskeletal system, we recommend to our patients the most effective drug Mermaids Marine Collagen;
B vitamins - used to improve the quality of transmission of nerve impulses from the spinal cord to internal organs;
Vitamin D is a remedy responsible for the condition of bone tissue, as well as for higher brain functions, such as memory, memory, attention, and speech.

In case of particularly severe pain, injections of anesthetic solutions (Lidocaine, Novocaine) with corticosteroids can be performed in the area where the nerves pass, i.e., blockade. But such procedures, especially if performed incorrectly, can cause nerve damage and the development of serious complications.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy can be considered the basis for the treatment of spinal diseases, especially when carried out according to Gritsenko’s original method. With its help, it is possible to solve a lot of problems with the spine and internal organs, since the use of special techniques and methods allows:

normalize the position of the vertebrae and the distance between them, which reduces the load on the discs and creates conditions for their full recovery;
release the nerve roots, which eliminates acute pain and radicular syndrome;
eliminate functional blocks, relax spasmodic muscles and tone overly relaxed muscles, which improves mobility;
improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition, which ensures the delivery of all necessary substances to damaged anatomical structures and the rapid removal of metabolic products from them;
activate natural defense and restoration mechanisms.

This is why after a course of manual therapy sessions the pain goes away for a long time and does not return for a long time. We do not have general standards of treatment; we apply an individual approach to each patient. With the help of special techniques of the Gritsenko method, it is possible to achieve activation of the body’s natural regeneration processes. Therefore, very often it is possible not only to slow down the progression of osteochondrosis or other spinal pathology, but also to achieve a complete recovery, especially when treated as soon as possible after the onset of attacks of lower back pain.

Exercise therapy

Physical therapy is an important component of the fight against lower back pain. An individually developed set of exercises, if performed daily, will help strengthen the back muscles and avoid atrophy of the leg muscles. This will create full support for the spine and help stop the progression of pathological changes in it.

The program is developed by a rehabilitation doctor for each man separately, taking into account the diagnosis, age, presence of concomitant diseases, and level of physical fitness. The first classes are conducted under the supervision of a specialist, and only after 100% mastery of the correct technique for performing each proposed exercise is it possible to perform them independently at home.

Causes of pathological pain:

osteochondrosis is a degenerative disease that is accompanied by the destruction of intervertebral discs;
protrusions and intervertebral hernias – displacement of intervertebral cartilage relative to the median axis as a result of long-term osteochondrosis or back injury;
inflammatory pathology of organs located in the abdominal cavity - pancreatitis, gastritis, colitis, enteritis;
inflammatory diseases of organs located in the pelvis - cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis;
neoplasms, metastasis to the vertebrae or internal organs;
spinal canal stenosis - pathology develops as a result of degenerative and traumatic disorders in the structure of the vertebrae, manifested by a symptom of false intermittent claudication that occurs when walking;
polymyalgia rheumatica is an immune disease that develops in elderly patients, characterized by pain in the upper arms or legs, and in the lower back.

In degenerative diseases, the spinal roots are pinched. This leads to the spread of pain to the buttocks and lower extremities.

Diagnosis, treatment and consultation on prostatitis problems on our website.

Diagnostic tactics

To identify the cause of lower back discomfort and prescribe adequate therapy, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

After examining the patient, the doctor prescribes instrumental examinations that make it possible to make a final diagnosis:

X-ray – reveals pathological changes in bones, some types of stones in the renal pelvis.
Magnetic resonance imaging – reveals pathological changes in soft tissues (muscles, cartilage, nerves, ligaments).
Ultrasound of internal organs.

Timely consultation with a doctor reduces the risk of complications and improves the prognosis of the disease.

Causes of physiological pain:

hard physical labor;
overtraining, excessive sports load;
prolonged stay in static positions (sitting at a table, working with the torso bent, squatting).

Pain caused by physical fatigue goes away on its own within a few days. If the discomfort is not associated with physical activity, but bothers you for a long time, you need to make an appointment with a specialist. This pain syndrome is called pathological and occurs against the background of diseases of the axial skeleton and visceral organs.

First aid for back pain in men

First aid for back pain is rest, dry heat, a short course of analgesics in the form of injections, tablets and patches on the skin. Wearing an orthopedic corset can reduce pain in a standing position by unloading the diseased spine. If more serious symptoms are present, a mandatory examination and consultation with a neurologist is required.

Localization of pain and its causes

Back-related ailments in 90% of cases indicate that treatment of the spine and joints is required.
Many people have problems with the spine; patients may not notice any discomfort for years until the pain becomes unbearable. However, in a situation where sensations arise in the left side, it may not be necessary to treat the back and spine, but to visit another doctor. The problem may be kidney disease. It is with disorders in the kidneys that sensations arise on one side - on the right or on the left. If it hurts just above the lower back on the left, you should contact a nephrologist or urologist - he will prescribe tests. The sooner the patient sees a doctor, the better. When you have pain in your left side behind above your lower back, you don’t have to wait for months or years, otherwise you’ll have to resort to an emergency solution later.

If the left side hurts above the lower back, this may also indicate pancreatitis, aortic aneurysm, stomach ulcer and other diseases.