You’ve probably experienced lower back pain before. Maybe you’ve been working at a desk for too long or you’ve been doing some sports that your body wasn’t used to. In any case, lower back pain usually occurs from time to time and goes away on its own. However, lower back pain that occurs on the right side is a bit more serious.
This type of pain is known as right side back pain. The right side of the body is the side that is on the right as you look at yourself. If you are looking at your own right side, then you are experiencing right side back pain. Fortunately, right side back pain is treatable and there are many ways to cope with it.
Learn the causes of right side back pain above the hip
Like any other type of back pain, the cause of right side back pain is usually due to a soft tissue problem. There are a few reasons why this type of pain occurs. The first is that your trunk is asymmetrical. This means that one side of your body is stronger than the other side.
The right side of the body is the right side of the body when you are facing the affected side of your body. Therefore, right side back pain is when you experience lower back pain on the right side of your body. Here are 7 causes of right side back pain above hip:
- Stresses On The Back
This is perhaps the most common cause of right side back pain above hip. Stresses on the back come in many forms. They might be muscular, ligamentous, or even bone-related. The stresses can cause irritation or pinch in the spinal cord, which then causes more of an inflammatory response in the surrounding tissues. If left untreated, this condition can progress to disc degeneration and then, in severe cases, a herniated disc.
- Muscle Imbalances In The Back
The back is made up of a complex system of muscles, and these can all become imbalanced for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you picked up a new muscle. Perhaps one of your muscles became overactive and is now causing pain. You may not even be aware that there is an imbalance because, for most people, the back is a relatively unchanging part of the body. If you have back pain, however, it can be a helpful sign. By trying to find the root cause of your pain, you can correct the issue and get back to doing what you love without pain.
- Disc Herniation
A herniated disc is usually the result of a stress on the back, such as a fall or heavy lifting. A herniated disc can cause a bulge in the disc wall and protrusion into the surrounding soft tissue. Often, the pain is the worst in the lower back, but it can also radiate into the hips and buttocks. In extreme cases, herniated discs have led to paralysis and death. The good news is that most people with a herniated disc will experience symptoms well before the disc becomes completely herniated.
- Disc Bulge
As with a bulging disc, a disc bulge occurs when there is a protrusion in the disc wall and a loss of fluid. The bulge may occur in the middle of the disc or at the bottom. The bulge may cause mild to moderate back pain, but it is usually not as severe as a herniated disc. The good news is that, unlike a herniated disc, a bulge can usually be treated and managed without surgery.
- Spondylolisthesis
This is when one vertebra slips forward over another. Most commonly, this affects the third (or posterior) vertebra in the spine. The good news is that the majority of people survive this condition. All that is required is to treat the back pain and prevent the progression of the pain. In the meantime, the only real treatment for spondylolisthesis is prevention. If you have back pain, you should try to avoid putting pressure on the affected area. This can be difficult, however, because the pain makes you want to sit or stand on the affected area even more.
- sciatica
This is nerve pain that runs from the lower back down the leg. The cause is unknown, but it is believed to be pain-related. It can come on suddenly, with no clear trigger, and it is often worse at night. The good news is that sciatica is treatable. The first step is to rule out any medical conditions that might be causing the sciatica. A complete evaluation by a doctor is essential, as is avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain. Once you have ruled out any serious medical causes, you can focus on treating the sciatica.
- Tumor Or Mass In The Back
This is when a tumor or mass in the back causes compression of the spinal cord. The symptoms are sudden, severe back pain that radiates down one or both legs. The good news is that, in most cases, the tumor or mass has to be large enough to compress the spinal cord for this to happen. Therefore, the majority of tumors and masses in the back are not able to cause symptoms.
Try the Right Treatment for Right Side Back Pain
In order to find the right treatment for your right side back pain, you must first identify what is causing the pain. The next step is to try out the various treatments to see which one works best for you. Below are a few of the most common treatments for right side back pain.
- Staying active
The best thing you can do for your back is stay active. For those who experience right side back pain, staying active can help you cope with the pain by breaking the cycle of muscle spasms that cause it. The best thing you can do for your back is stay active. For those who experience right side back pain, staying active can help you cope with the pain by breaking the cycle of spasms that cause it.
- Over-the-counter pain medications
If medications don’t help with your right side back pain, then your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications. Be sure to follow all the directions for safe use. If medications don’t help with your right side back pain, then your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medications. Be sure to follow all the directions for safe use.
- Ice packs
You can also use ice packs to help with your right side back pain. Simply place an ice pack on your back for 15 minutes every 4 hours. You can also use ice packs to help with your right side back pain. Simply place an ice pack on your back for 15 minutes every 4 hours.
- Electrostimulation
Another treatment that may help is electrostimulation. This is where a device is connected to an electrical current and a magnetic field. The magnetic field stimulates nerve endings in your back and provides pain relief. There are a few brands that provide this type of treatment, such as the Spinal Decompression Regenerative System, which is FDA-approved.
Exercise is Key for Right Side Back Pain
An important part of coping with right side back pain is staying physically active. Exercise is proven to improve both your mental and emotional health. It can help reduce stress and increase endorphin levels, which helps reduce pain.
One study found that flexibility training had the most impact on people with low back pain. In fact, just 30 minutes of flexibility exercises three times a week was enough to reduce pain levels. Here are a few types of exercises that can help with your right side back pain.
Stretches for relief of right side back pain
The good news is that there are plenty of stretches out there to help with your right side back pain. The only bad news is that many of them are aimed at relieving lower back pain and you may not know it. The best thing to do is to look for stretch for right side back pain and focus on stretching the right side of your back.
Get a massage for right side back pain
Massage is a great way to help with any type of pain, including right side back pain. While most massages are aimed at the lower back, a massage therapist can easily adjust the pressure to help with your right side back pain.
Right Stretches for Relief of Right Side Back Pain
To properly stretch your right side, you’ll need to put your right hand on a wall and your left leg in the air. In order to stretch your back, you’ll slowly move your leg from side to side. The stretches below are good for relieving tension in your upper back, shoulders, and neck.
Sometimes, you may experience a sharp pain in your back when you try to stretch it. If this is the case, make sure to hold onto your back the whole time you are stretching. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but it’s well worth it.
See a doctor
If the above treatments don’t help with your right side back pain, you may want to see a doctor. It’s important to rule out other possible causes for the pain, such as an infection or tumor. Your doctor can run tests to rule these things out and help you get back on track.
Even if the pain lasts only a few minutes, you should still see a doctor. Chronic pain can develop over time and can be harder to treat. Plus, there’s a chance that the pain is more severe and will require more intensive treatment, such as narcotic painkillers or surgery.