Back pain is a complaint experienced by quite a lot of people. However, if the pain is experienced only on one side, for example right back pain, then you need to be vigilant. Especially if the complaint of right back pain appears along with other disturbing complaints.
Back pain on the right or left can be caused by several things. One of the most common causes of right or left back pain is injury to the muscles or ligaments that support the spine. This injury can occur as a result of falling or lifting objects that are too heavy.
In addition to injury, the appearance of pain on one side of the back can also be caused by several other things, such as nerve and spinal disorders, spinal arthritis, or kidney disorders.
Right or Left Back Pain That Needs to be Watched
Back pain on the right or left needs to be watched out for if it appears together with some of the following symptoms:
1. Pain radiates to other body parts
If the pain radiates to the thigh, knee, and leg area, this condition may be caused by a pinched nerve (HNP) or sciatica. In addition to radiating to the lower limbs, back pain due to pinched nerves can also radiate to the chest and arms.
2. Numb
If back pain occurs along with symptoms of tingling or numbness in the arms, hands, thighs, or legs, then this condition needs to be checked by a doctor immediately.
These complaints can be caused by abnormalities or severe nerve disorders in the spine, such as HNP, narrowing of the spinal cavity, pinched nerves, and tumors in the nerves or spinal cavity.
3. Pain when urinating
Back pain on the right or left that causes pain when urinating can be a sign of kidney stones. If these symptoms appear along with other symptoms, such as fever, bloody urine, and difficulty holding urine, it could be a symptom of an infection in the urinary tract and its surroundings, such as a kidney infection, pelvic infection, or bladder infection.
4. Difficult move
If back pain is accompanied by weakness or paralysis in one or both legs, even making it difficult for you to get up from a chair or bed, then this could be a symptom of cauda equina syndrome.
In addition to back pain and weakness in the legs, cauda equina syndrome can also cause symptoms of tingling or numbness in the back that radiates to the legs, difficulty controlling urination or defecation, and difficulty getting an erection.
Cauda equina syndrome is a rare disorder caused by damage to the spinal cord. This disease can be caused by pinched nerves, injuries, infections, to tumors in the spine.
5. Pain when bending over
If the right or left back pain feels more painful when coughing or bending over, this could be due to spinal muscle spasm, injury to the spinal muscles or joints, pinched nerves, or spinal arthritis.
6. Stomach pain
Do not ignore if the back pain on the right or left feels radiating to the stomach. Especially if it causes nausea, vomiting and pain that gets worse when the stomach is pressed.
This complaint is a symptom of appendicitis which should immediately be examined by a doctor. If it's severe, appendicitis can cause the appendix to rupture and cause peritonitis. If not treated immediately by a doctor, this condition can be life threatening.
Treatment of Right Back Pain
Left or right back pain caused by muscle tension or minor injury can be treated in natural ways, such as:
- Give a warm compress on the back or take a warm bath.
- Using a patch, balm, or pain medication, such as paracetamol, to relieve pain.
- Do stretching or back stretches, such as yoga specifically for back pain.
- Improve your posture, avoid slouching and get used to sitting and standing up straight.
- Get plenty of rest and avoid lifting heavy weights.
If the symptoms of right back pain do not go away, get worse, or are accompanied by some of the other symptoms mentioned above, then you should check with your doctor.
To determine the cause of the right back pain that you are complaining about, the doctor will perform a physical examination and support, such as an X-ray, CT-scan, or MRI of the spine.
Once the cause is known, the doctor can perform several medical treatments to treat your back pain, such as:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can be used to relieve symptoms of back pain caused by injury, pinched nerves, or abnormalities in the spine.
There are many types of physiotherapy that can be done, ranging from electrical therapy, heat therapy, the use of special corsets, massage, to certain gymnastics or movements.
Prescribing o drugs
If the pain is severe enough, your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac potassium, and meloxicam, to relieve pain.
If your back pain is caused by spasms or severe muscle tension, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants. To relieve back pain caused by neurological disorders, doctors may prescribe anti-seizure medications and antidepressants.
Operation
Surgery is usually necessary if other treatment methods do not work for back pain.
However, apart from these reasons, right back pain may also need to be treated with surgery if it is caused by a severe injury to the nerves or spine, a spinal tumor, or a large kidney stone.
Back pain usually subsides on its own with home treatments. However, this complaint should not be ignored. If you experience right or left back pain that does not go away, appears along with other complaints, or gets worse, consult a doctor immediately.