Don’t we have those bad days when everything goes wrong? Imagine navigating through the day all stressed and anxious about meetings that got canceled and the work that got delayed.
The cherry on top is when unwelcome back pain increases your frustrations towards the end of the day. Well, all that anxiety had to show its physical effects.
If this scenario seems familiar, then you’re at the right place. Back pain can negatively impact a person’s life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to fix it. However, the first step is to identify the cause, and then you can better treat it.
So, what causes back pain on the right side of the spine? Keep reading to know the answer.
We will also talk about the following:
- What Are the Causes of Upper Back Pain?
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Weight Issues
- Back Pain When Coughing
- Injury
- Medical Conditions
- Psychological Problems
- Constant Muscle Strain
- How to Treat Back Pain on Right Side
- Try Heat and Cold Therapy
- Stretch it Out
- When to See a Doctor?
What Are the Causes of Upper Back Pain?
The causes of back pain can vary from minor strains to significant health conditions.
So, if you’re suffering from persistent discomfort, it’s essential to rule out the causes.
According to statistics, more than 20% of adults worldwide suffer from chronic lumbar back pain.[1]
Back pain on the lower right side can be due to infections, reproductive health issues, strains, etc.
On the other hand, Back pain upper right side is usually due to overuse of muscles, improper posture, wrong sleeping positions, etc.
We have listed some back pain causes to help you narrow down the root issue.
Go through the list and see if your symptoms align with that cause.
Also, you can consult healthcare to help you with the back pain diagnosis.
1. Sedentary Lifestyle
Following a sedentary lifestyle can become a risk factor for back issues. This is because sitting on a chair or in a specific posture for too long can cause undue strain on your back.
With time this added pressure can cause back pain and other spinal issues.
Not only that, staying in a position can cause stiffness and loss of flexibility in the body.
Additionally, it also damages and weakens your muscles.
If your job requires you to sit at a desk for hours, try incorporating daily exercises and walks into your routine to keep your body moving.
Staying active solves many health problems, including back pain due to staying sedentary.
2. Weight Issues
Obesity or an increased weight can also be a big risk factor for back issues due to the excess strain it puts on your spine.[2]
Your backbone is the structure that keeps the body stable and flexible. The health of the spine is necessary for movement and support.
Obesity is termed a ‘disease’ by medical experts, as it poses significant risks to a person’s health.
It can cause back aches and other health problems.
Additionally, the added weight worsens existing back issues like herniated discs or arthritis.
The spine strains due to the added weight and may get damaged or injured. The most common part of the backbone that’s affected due to the added pressure is the lumbar spine.
So, losing those extra inches and following an active lifestyle is a great way to prevent back pain.
3. Back Pain When Coughing
Smoking is detrimental to health. It damages your organs, including the lungs, heart, immune system, etc. Smokers risk developing back pain because of its effects on their significant organs.
Back pain from coughing happens when you smoke a lot. The muscles and tissues in the lumbar spine become inflamed due to continuous coughing spells.
It can then cause back pain. This is why smokers have a high risk of developing back issues and countless other conditions.
4. Injury
Injuries commonly cause back pain, especially if it’s fixated on a particular region. It may include strain or pressure on your muscles or ligaments.
Additionally, falling on your back or hitting it against an object can cause persistent back pain.
Other causes of the issue include improper posture, lack of exercise, and obesity.
When you’re overweight, it increases the risk of suffering from muscle strains and other injuries.
So, if you’ve recently suffered from an accident, try to do heat and cold therapy or see a doctor to fix the back pain.
5. Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, like kidney stones, muscle strains, etc., can cause back issues.
Especially the ones that affect the spine, like herniated discs, sciatica, and spinal arthritis, which can increase back pain.
Moreover, seasonal flu causes inflammation in your body, especially in the cells in your spine. This can also cause lumbar pain.
Although this is a rare flu symptom, many people suffer from the issue every year.
6. Psychological Problems
Many psychological factors can cause back pain in individuals.[3] If you suffer from anxiety or stress, it can cause the muscles to tense up.
It can also affect your breathing pattern and cause tension in the backbone.
All these things combined can cause mid-back discomfort or pain.
7. Constant Muscle Strain
If you’re putting strain or pressure on your muscles, it can cause the risk of developing back pain.
For example, hitting the gym too often or exercising rigorously can put a lot of pressure on your spine. This can cause damage in the long run.
Have you seen how often athletes suffer spinal injuries, dislocations, and sprains? It is due to the constant heavy exertion they do.
Although moderate physical activity is good, anything beyond a limit can adversely affect your health.
How to Treat Back Pain on the Right Side?
Treating back pain on the lower right side needs a proper care plan and lifestyle shift.
If the discomfort is temporary, you can try at-home remedies, but visiting a specialist is necessary for treating chronic back pain.
Here are some at-home treatments to keep the symptoms of back pain at bay:
Try Heat and Cold Therapy
Do you also love heating pads to soothe the cramps of ‘that time of the month’? Or does icing a swelled thumb seem like a breeze? Then, it would be best to try heat and cold therapy to relieve the back pain.
Heat soothes the muscles and relaxes your back. While it is proven by research that ice packs help to reduce swelling and pain. So, using these two techniques alternatively can help with back pain.
Stretch it Out
Regular stretches are also a great way to keep your body flexible and moving. Stretching helps elongate and open your spine, which helps keep it healthy.
So, try incorporating yoga, stretches, or regular walks into your lifestyle to prevent back issues.
Lay on a Flat Surface
Sleeping on an uneven surface can also cause back pain. Our spines have a specific shape, and anything that disrupts it or puts pressure on a particular part of the backbone can end up hurting it.
Therefore, always sleep on a firm but supportive mattress and choose a pillow that doesn’t break your neck.
When to See a Doctor?
Although adequate rest can help with back issues most of the time, anything that doesn’t go away after a week needs medical intervention.
You must see a back pain specialist or any reputable brand like Selphyl if your discomfort increases over time and the pain radiates to both legs.
Your physician will identify the root cause and get you started with the treatment.
Conclusion
Back pain can be nasty, especially if it hampers your entire day. Those aches and spasms are enough to restrict you on the bed.
So, you must follow a healthy lifestyle and care for your body to minimize the risk of lumbar pain.
It will also help you stay mobile and active for longer.
As people start to age, the risk of getting ill also increases.
Yet, a healthy lifestyle will help you fight the pesky side effects of aging.
Madison Lewis writes about general health topics. She explains complex health concepts in plain language. Lewis keeps up with the latest research to provide accurate health advice. She aims to educate and empower readers. Lewis has degrees in Biology and Public Health.