Dr Joe's Back Pain

[drjoek]

Dr Steve
About a week ago I was out Christmas shopping and my back started aching. No surprise. But it has lingered. It only hurts when I stand up and is relieved when I sit or recline. The pain is lateral to my spine about 3-4 inches above my butt crack. It does not get any worse with exertion or effort it just stays there and does not limit me in any way, just discomfort. Is there any chance its a kidney thing based on location, in my mind. It started out on both sides an now seems to be more on the left side. I have applied some icy hot and heating pad to minimal degree of improvement.

Any info?

Thanks.

[Dr Steve]

Sorry it took so long to get to this one, Joe! Hey, sometime tell me the tale behind why you were voted "Worst Poster of the Year", willya? Your posts always look pretty good to me :-)

Pain in the area you describe certainly could be kidney related...the kidneys are basically located just under the ribcage in the back, where the ribs meet the spine. Kidney pain usually waxes and wanes, however, as the stone moves-stops-moves-stops and as pressure builds up behind the stone the pain can become quite severe. (This waxing and waning from dull to exquisite pain is called 'renal colic'.)

A strained muscle in that area can cause constant pain, too, especially if it's a deep muscle. Usually there is SOME motion you can do to make it worse, though.

If it keeps up, a urinalysis will often tell the tale...blood in the urine in the presence of back pain is a kidney stone until proven otherwise. A quick trip to the imaging center will confirm the diagnosis.

If it's not a stone, your doctor will likely prescribe stretching exercises and antiinflammatory agents; this is a good indication for chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, too, if you're into that kind of thing.

hope you're feeling better!


your pal,


steve


Dr Steve
About a week ago I was out Christmas shopping and my back started aching. No surprise. But it has lingered. It only hurts when I stand up and is relieved when I sit or recline. The pain is lateral to my spine about 3-4 inches above my butt crack. It does not get any worse with exertion or effort it just stays there and does not limit me in any way, just discomfort. Is there any chance its a kidney thing based on location, in my mind. It started out on both sides an now seems to be more on the left side. I have applied some icy hot and heating pad to minimal degree of improvement.

Any info?

Thanks.