Back Pain On Left Side

arabianhorselover

Wondering if any of you have or have had back pain on only one side of the lower back? I have this, and it has gotten worse. I have been to the doctor. I have arthritis in my spine, and a couple of discs that aren't what they used to be. However, I'm not sure that's what's causing the pain. I'm wondering if it's something I'm doing at the gym or otherwise. I've been paying attention when I'm doing stuff at the gym. At this point, most of the stuff I'm doing seems to bother it. I've also added more stretching. It just seems weird that it's on one side. It's either figure out what's causing it, and do something different, or take pain killers every night so I can sleep, since it hurts to move in bed. Also have my neck killing me with arthritis. And I'm only 54!

phaerla

Hello, a few years ago, I had a similar problem. My pain was on the right side and radiated down my entire leg. I lost a lot of strength in the leg. The pain got so bad, I ended up in a wheel chair. My doctor ordered an MRI which revealed that I had, as she called it, a massive herniated disk. My L4 had slipped out of place and was resting on my sciatic nerve. At the time, I needed physical therapy which included stretching and exercise to strengthen the muscles in my back. I was also on a course of anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxants and nerve blockers, (steroidal meds didn't help). Now for the good news...it took some time, and hard work, but I regained the strength in my leg and returned to full health. I also had a recurrence at thanksgiving of last year, but thankfully, it wasn't as severe as before. The last time, I had almost the same pain (not as severe), and it was also focused on my right side. This time the pain radiated down my thigh and focused in my knee. It made exercising quite difficult, but I was able to do some stretching and a LOT of walking (just around the house, nothing formal). The walking was the only thing that relieved the pain. My thigh and back were almost constantly in spasm. The pain also woke me up several times every night, and I would have to get up and walk around to get some relief. Again, more good news, after about 5 weeks, my pain was gone and my back is fine. I am now back to exercising 5 times weekly. I should also mention that I again took the same meds as previously mentioned. Hope this helps.

arabianhorselover

Well, as far as I know, I do not have a herniated disc. Just a couple that have compressed somewhat. I do have arthritis in the facet joints, though, which could be pressing on a nerve.

jimmmer

First: if a movement bothers it, or quantifiably makes it worse. Stop doing the movement. Find alternative ways to stay mobile and active whilst you figure things out. Which leads me on to #2:

Second: A qualified physio would be the best person to seek out to get a hands-on assessment and make up a suitable rehab exercise schedule for you.

No one's going to be able to diagnose via forum, I'm afraid.

arabianhorselover

I realize nobody can do that. And what do you mean by physio? A physical therapist? I am considering that, but it is expensive.

ninerbuff

Consult an orthopedist (especially one who does sports related injuries). Their assessments seem to be the most accurate for just about any client I've sent them to for an analysis for chronic body pain.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

jimmmer

arabianhorselover wrote: »

I realize nobody can do that. And what do you mean by physio? A physical therapist? I am considering that, but it is expensive.

Yeah.

Must be a UK thing calling them physios...

Elise4270

I started PT last week for my back. It has helped greatly. My doc said that if the visits get expensive just ask them for exercises to do at home. I have bilateral pars fractures. They don't show up on an MRI. X-ray will reveal them. Might look into that.

arabianhorselover

I have had x-rays done, and they don't show any fractures. Just arthritis and degenerative disc disease.

Cherimoose

arabianhorselover wrote: »

I'm wondering if it's something I'm doing at the gym or otherwise.

Sure, that's a possibility. If you do strength training, and you haven't had your form checked by a good personal trainer, definitely do that. Choose one with a good certification (NASM, for example) or a kinesiology degree.

And like i mentioned in your other post, getting an assessment by an sports doctor or a physical therapist can help too.

Do you sleep on one side more than the other?

arabianhorselover

Well, for a lot of my life, I did prefer to sleep on my left side. In more recent years I slept more on the left because I had bursitis in my right hip. Not since I lost the weight, but that has been recent..............

arabianhorselover

Just updating here. I have since had an MRI which shows facet arthritis, a couple of bulging disks, also narrowing of the spaces and loss of "water" between the disks, and a narrowing of the area the nerve goes through on the left side. I also have two hemangiomas which I assume are small and probably not causing my pain.

My doctor's office wants me to see a neurosurgeon, but I don't see any real reason to do that.