Left Back Pain

Trying to determine a cause for left back pain starts with the zeroing in on the exact location of the pain. Upper left back? Middle left back or lower left back? 

In this article, we'll start at the top and work down.

Upper Left Back Pain

The most common pain back pain on the upper left comes from muscle strains and tendon or ligament damage. This could be the result of a blow or some other kind of trauma (NFL players experience this kind of problem a lot), or it could be from pushing, pulling or lifting objects that are too heavy for you.

This type of pain is usually not hard to diagnose, even though the pain doesn't always start right away.

You can also get upper left back pain from overuse of muscles, or misuse of them. Of course, these types of injuries tend to happen more as you age.

You may also experience an occasional muscle spasm in this area. These fortunately, don't usually last long.

Liver problems It's possible for a liver problem to trigger back pains, but usually the pain occurs on the right side, not the left. Biliary colic, however, is characterized by pain between the shoulder blades. If the pain is severe enough, it may be hard to tell if it's originating on the right side or left side.

Heart attack Okay, now comes the scary part. Someone having a heart attack can have back pain. Although most people think of chest pain in connection with a heart attack, the pain can also radiate into other areas of the body, notably the arms and upper back.

Middle Left Back Pain

Pain in this area can result from muscle/ligament/tendon issues too. But in this region, there could be other possibilities as the spine and internal organs come into play.

Spinal disc problems are more likely to happen in the middle and lower back. A condition like scoliosis (curvature of the back) can push a spinal disc out of position, triggering pain in the nerve paths of the back.

The same goes for a slipped or ruptured vertebrae, which often results from lifting something too heavy. Pain can spread to either side of the back, or downwards, if this is the problem.

Gastroenteritis  Gastroenteritis is more commonly known as the stomach flu or stomach virus. This pain is usually not hard to diagnose because there are plenty of other obvious symptoms that come with it: diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps, etc.

Gall bladder back pain This is a much more troubling, potentially long term problem. It occurs when the gallbladder gall bladder malfunctions. This type of pain usually begins in the middle part of the back and then begins to radiate to the front. In some instances, the pain can be severe and can result in difficulty standing or even breathing.

Kidney stones The classic symptom of kidney stones is middle back pain on either side. Pain can be severe enough to bring tears. Some women who have had experienced both childbirth and kidney stones say stones can be equal to--or even worse--than having a baby.

Other kidney problems, like a kidney infection, can also cause back pain.

Lower Left Back Pain

This is where lots of vertebrae and bone problems result in back pain. Plus, there are plenty of nerves, muscles and ligaments in this area. If you're experiencing left side pain in your lower back, it's best to see a doctor as soon as you can.
 
Because there are so many joints in this area of the back, it is often subject to arthritis caused by years of wear and tear. Pain results when cartilage, which cushions the areas where bones are connected, wears down and becomes more firm with age (although arthritis can happen to young people too).

Osteoporosis robs bones of the density, which makes fractures more likely.

Sciatic back pain Sciatic back pain, also sometimes called sciatica,  is caused by one of the biggest nerves in the body: the sciatic nerve. If the sciatic nerve is injured, worn down or stressed in some way, it triggers pain in the hips, buttocks and down the legs. People who get sciatic back pain usuually have jobs that require them to sit in the same place for a long time, which wears on their sciatic nerve. This condition frequently affects long distance truck drivers.

Women may experience back discomfort caused by their menstrual cycle. Women are already so familiar with this type of pain, it needs little more than a mention here.

Finally, the organs of the lower abdomen, especially the colon and intestines, are prone to a number of disorders that can result in left back pain. The list is long: celiac disease, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colitis, among others.

In summary, it's clear that there are so many possible causes of left side back pain that the best option is to talk to a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. 

We also have a more specific article on left side back pain. There are articles on right side back pain and back and leg pain too.