The section of the spine that relates to lower left back pain is the lumbar spine – five vertebrae just above the pelvis. A disc of cartilage separates each vertebrae, and allows movement of the spine such as bending and twisting. These so called “intervertebral discs” are fluid filled and can be thought of a bit like sponges.
The spinal column runs the entire length of the spine through each vertebrae. The vertebrae protects the spinal column as it sends signals from the brain to the entire body. The lumbar vertebrae are also connected to muscles and ligaments that provide support and allow various movements.
One of the most common reasons for lower left back pain is poor posture, which is also known as muscle imbalance. If poor posture is also coupled with obesity, then this puts even more pressure on the lumbar area and can exasperate problems in the lower back.
If muscle imbalances are not addressed, then over several years the intervertebral discs can become distorted. Thinning of the discs is one sign of excess wear and tear, which can lead to decreased and painful mobility. This pain is caused because the disc loses much of it’s cushioning properties when it thins and it’s elasticity is lost.
Another consequence of long term muscle imbalance is a herniated disc. When a disc is overloaded on one side, it will bulge out and this is called a herniated. In severe cases the disc may puncture – which is known as a ruptured disc. These problems are normally the result of many years of muscle imbalance and the associated poor posture.
One of the tell-tale signs of muscle imbalance is a strained muscle. This is a warning shot that something is wrong, and can lead to much worse problems if the root cause is not addressed. While ice-packs and stretches can help with the pain in the short term, in the long term it is important to assess your whether you have poor posture or excess muscle tension.
Treating and preventing lower left back pain involves some effort on behalf of the sufferer, but the benefits are so worthwhile compared to the misery of living with back pain.
my boyfriend has had pain for abt 1 month now.. he complains of sharp pain in his lower back, thigh, and hip on the left side only.. he cant even lie down.. it progressing and i wish i can help. im about to take him to the doc but wodnering if anyone has an idea wht this could be
Sciatica, is usually described as a "burning" or a strong achy pain.
Appendicitis is on the right side and he would not have had it for 1 month.
Kidney stones will usually refer pain to that area and it is a very sharp pain. It hurts to lay in any position and to even move.
Have the doctor perform a CT scan on him to look for kidney stones. It is the most likely culprit.
If the doctors do not find anything, then take him to a chiropractor. It could be sciatica or other misalignment problems. But the symptoms you have described lead toward something else. I would go to the doctor first.
Btw, I am a chiropractic intern and I recommend you take him to a MD first.
I wish your boyfriend the best.
For about a week now i have had this pain in my left shoulder blase at the back. It feels like a pin or something is being stabbed there there and it also feels like burning. Its not there all of the time but it starts hurting at random times and its really bad. I can’t walk or anything when it happens i justhave to stop and wait till it goes away. There is no mark or any sign of anything where it hurts.
Sounds like a knot. Applying firm but steady pressure can help to relax the area where the muscles are knotting up. Have a friend put their elbow directly on the spot. YOU push into them, don’t let them push into you. You need to control how much weight you can handle. This will hurt, but in the long run, will help.
Stretch it out. Take the arm of the side of the pain, and reach it in front of you across to the other side, you will feel when it’s in the right place.
You should also ice it, that will help a lot. Don’t heat it, hot muscles just get more irritated.
I’m don’t know why vitamin supplements would cause back pain; but, I started taking a multivitamin and an iron supplement; and my lower back has started aching a lot- started a few days after I started the vitamins. Pure coincidence or is there some connection? (I am a 32 year old vegetarian female.)
too much b12 may cause back pain is what i heard from a friend
I am 31 weeks into my 40 week pregnancy (over 7 months) and work in an office setting where I sit all day. I make sure to get up every 90 minutes or so to stretch and walk around, but I am getting tremendous back pain the longer I sit, at the lower of my back. I think the baby has dropped (turned over so it’s head is at the bottom)…
Is there pain reliever, special chair cushions, or anything else that is safe for me to relieve the pain?
Thanks!
make your husband/bf/whomever give you a back massage. That is heaven! 
Try moving every 30 minutes instead of every 90. If you are only 7 months pregnant, it is very unlikely the baby has dropped, but is just getting bigger and therefore, more uncomfortable.
and i cant sleep at all what should i do i am in physical therapy and going to doctors
Have you thought about wearing a SACROILIAC BELT (aka SI BELT or TROCHANTER BELT) around your pelvis? What it does is that by providing the correct balance of resistance and resilience, the SI belt re-establishes the joint’s normal motion, thus relieves stress and instability at these weight bearing structures. The price of SI belts are in reasonable range these days, average cost is about $40 USD. I know a lot of people who wear SI belts, and I’ve read some astonishing testimonials about it. There are many si belts out there, but Serola SI Belt seems to be the best one as far as quality, comfort, and price are considered. Check out their website for more: http://www.serola.net/product_new_sac_belt.php
I think you can buy directly from their website at: http://serolabelt.com/new-serola-sacroiliac-belt.aspx
Hope it helps, good luck to you!
im in antibotics now and they had to stop my contractions, but now im having little sharp pains in my stomach and my lower back hurts especiall when i get up could this be labor. Im also having headaches
you might have a kidney stone. Symptoms are usually sharp pain in back, nausea, fatigue, and the constant need to pee.
When i had my kidney stone, i had an infection that was caused by my stone. I took antibiotics and it got rid of the pain for a week and then i had to rush to the E.R. because i was having shooting pains going from my back to my bladder, and i felt like i couldn’t breathe. Get a Cat scan done cause and they’ll be able to tell if there is a stone in your kidney.
i got a bad habit since 3years ago i started twisting and kept twisting… about 5 times a day and now i feel terrible lower back pain it doesn’t tingles or anything but it healed and it came back again in week or so. My science teacher said that i twisted too much so my ligament shrunk and i want to know whether it was caused by the ligament or not i also wants to know how to fix this problem and if there is tell me how… it may sound too long or annoying but i really wants to know and thanks for your answer.
Yes, this could be related to all the twisting but I would recommend letting your mom know what’s going on so that she can help you keep an eye on the situation.
I have a pain in my lower back/hip/waist area on my left side. I got it near the end of my football season (mid November) but it still bothers me. It only hurts when i run for a long time and when i put it in certain positions. Its not a bruise or anything, i’m pretty sure its a skeletal problem. i really don’t want to go to the doctor cuz they’ll probably tell me not to weight lift but i have to for next season. can u guys tell some things i can do, maybe some stretches, ice, heat, exercises, etc.
Please help.
it hurts to run (after a while), throw a football, and to move it certain ways like flexing my waist forward
2 Advil helps me now and again.and light exorcises .my whole spine pops and the lower part when i walk.
For 2 days i have had a pain in my head at the back on the left that lasts for no more than a few seconds. It then goes away for a little while and then comes back. The pain is sharp and always in the same area. Advice? Info? Please.
This sounds as if you have a neck and head misalignment. The place you are describing is the exact location of a muscle insertion. If your head and neck are misaligned, this will hurt. It starts out with pain like you are describing. So when the muscles contract it can hurt. But then the muscle relaxes a little bit and the pain goes away. However, this will normally progress into a more constant pain and can even cause some pretty bad headaches.
I would recommend that you go to a chiropractor and have them diagnose your problem. More than likely they can help you by realigning your neck and back. This will allow the muscles to relax and then you will have relief from your pain.
I really wish you the best
