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What Causes Feeling Sore In Back Of Lower Bones With History Of Back Pain?
Question: I have had back pain for many years but recently I woke up a few days ago feeling sore in my back along my lower bones in my rib cage. Feels like I hit my back on something. Its also sore along the spine.
None of it is terrible and the pain feels more like irritation or soreness. Kinda changes as I move.
It dawned on me.... How would I know if it was kidney pain. I'm not too worried that it is because it does feel pretty mild like a sore back plus I had labs done 3-4 months ago that checked liver, kidneys, etc...and was told all was good.
forgot to mention I also have IBS issues and my back issues are herniations in a few lumbar discs. I do construction for a living
None of it is terrible and the pain feels more like irritation or soreness. Kinda changes as I move.
It dawned on me.... How would I know if it was kidney pain. I'm not too worried that it is because it does feel pretty mild like a sore back plus I had labs done 3-4 months ago that checked liver, kidneys, etc...and was told all was good.
forgot to mention I also have IBS issues and my back issues are herniations in a few lumbar discs. I do construction for a living
Brief Answer:
Unlikely kidney pain
Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,
Thanks a lot for your query. Given your construction occupation, previous herniated discs and the good description that you provide it is very likely that this is a muskuloskeletal issue in nature, either related to degenerative disease of the spine, a ligament sprain or a muscle sprain of the paraspinal muscles. Pain from the kidneys is deep, usually not reproducible by touching the area, and felt worse in the flank, which is the area between the back and the abdomen (kind of the side of your lower trunk).
I would suggest a short course of anti-inflammatory such as naproxen, ice-heat compresses in the area and normal activity as tolerated.
Hope this helps, wish you the best,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology
Unlikely kidney pain
Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,
Thanks a lot for your query. Given your construction occupation, previous herniated discs and the good description that you provide it is very likely that this is a muskuloskeletal issue in nature, either related to degenerative disease of the spine, a ligament sprain or a muscle sprain of the paraspinal muscles. Pain from the kidneys is deep, usually not reproducible by touching the area, and felt worse in the flank, which is the area between the back and the abdomen (kind of the side of your lower trunk).
I would suggest a short course of anti-inflammatory such as naproxen, ice-heat compresses in the area and normal activity as tolerated.
Hope this helps, wish you the best,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes, if I press on the side of my ribs on the right its tender to touch so is right near my spine.
My wife says I fell asleep in a sitting up position a few nights ago. When she woke in the middle of the night around 5 hours later I was still in an that upright position just slumpped off to the side a bit so she told me to lay down correctly( don't remember). Could being slumped over like that cause soreness and some added back pain?
I also wonder if a poor bed could cause added back pain.
My wife says I fell asleep in a sitting up position a few nights ago. When she woke in the middle of the night around 5 hours later I was still in an that upright position just slumpped off to the side a bit so she told me to lay down correctly( don't remember). Could being slumped over like that cause soreness and some added back pain?
I also wonder if a poor bed could cause added back pain.
Brief Answer:
Absolutely!
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow up. Very helpful information. This certainly can be a muscle strain. There are 2 blocks or columns of muscle that run next to your spine, called the erector muscles, which have the function of keeping the back straight when walking; when sitting up, some of the back muscles that go to the legs are stretched at the same time that these erector muscles are forced to keep posture, this results in extra work and can cause a strain.
Agree also with the bed. By definition, the bed should be harder in the lower back, and relatively softer in upper back (for the normal curvature to "sink" in the mattress some). If you want to give yourself the best gift ever, that may actually give you a more productive career (as a constructor you need adequate rest) consider an orthopedic memory foam mattress. Food for thought.
Cheers
Absolutely!
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow up. Very helpful information. This certainly can be a muscle strain. There are 2 blocks or columns of muscle that run next to your spine, called the erector muscles, which have the function of keeping the back straight when walking; when sitting up, some of the back muscles that go to the legs are stretched at the same time that these erector muscles are forced to keep posture, this results in extra work and can cause a strain.
Agree also with the bed. By definition, the bed should be harder in the lower back, and relatively softer in upper back (for the normal curvature to "sink" in the mattress some). If you want to give yourself the best gift ever, that may actually give you a more productive career (as a constructor you need adequate rest) consider an orthopedic memory foam mattress. Food for thought.
Cheers
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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