Causes of Back Pain in Men

Back pain affects people of all ages and genders. Although back pain is more common in women than in men, it also affects a significant portion of the male population. Given that back pain can lead to diminished mobility and a decreased quality of life, it should be given prompt medical attention. 

In men, back pain can be triggered by a broad range of factors, from a severe infection to a mild injury. Understanding the different causes of back pain in men can help you identify the warning signs of a serious condition and seek out the medical care that you need. 

This article will explore the possible causes of back pain in men, as well as the male back pain treatments available today. 

What Causes Back Pain in Men?

There are several different causes of back pain in men. The most common of these conditions include:

  • Spinal disorders

Spinal disorders can lead to inflammation, nerve impingement, and, ultimately, back pain. Some of the most prevalent spinal disorders that affect men include:

  • Spinal stenosis, a condition involving the narrowing of the spinal cord
  • Bulging or herniated disc, which occurs when an intervertebral disc becomes damaged
  • Spondylolisthesis, a condition involving a displaced vertebra due to spinal instability
  • Spinal fractures, which typically result from a sudden impact, like a car accident
  • Scoliosis, which refers to an atypical spinal curvature
  • Degenerative disc disease, a condition referring to back pain caused by age-related wear and tear on an intervertebral disc
  • Spinal tumor, which can press on nerves within the spine and cause back pain

Additionally, spinal injuries that occurred in childhood can manifest in later years, providing a painful reminder of long-ago trauma. 

Back strains and sprains are extremely common causes of lower back pain across all demographics. A back strain occurs when some of the muscles and/or tendons of the spine become damaged. The tissue may be pulled, torn, or twisted, typically due to overextending the spine.

Though it’s commonly confused with a strain, a back sprain affects the ligaments of the spine, not the muscles or tendons. With this injury, the ligaments are strained or torn due to excess strain on the back. 

  • Underlying medical conditions

A wide range of medical conditions can trigger back pain in men. The most prevalent of these conditions are arthritis, sleep disorders, shingles, kidney stones, and kidney infections. 

  • Arthritis refers to joint inflammation. Many different types of arthritis can affect the facet joints of the spine, such as osteoarthritis. Typically, arthritis of the spine causes chronic back pain.
  • Sleep disorders can contribute to back pain by compromising the body’s natural repair processes. When you sleep, your body releases growth hormone, which heals damaged tissue and prevents pain. Men with disordered sleep don’t receive enough growth hormone, which can exacerbate back pain. 
  • Shingles is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It causes a painful, blistering rash. In some patients, shingles also leads to burning, aching, and/or stabbing back pain. 
  • Kidney problems, including kidney stones and kidney infections, can cause intense back pain. 
  • Poor posture

Over an extended period, poor posture can lead to back pain in men. This is because poor posture forces the spine out of its proper alignment. This places added stress on the structures of the spine, speeding up degeneration and compromising men’s spine health.

  • Obesity

Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor for back pain in men. With every step, excess weight places added impact on the structures of the spine. Over time, this extra stress from day-to-day motions can lead to back pain. 

  • Physical activity and lifestyle habits

Men are especially prone to traumatic back pain due to their participation in high-impact physical activities and other lifestyle habits. These activities and habits include heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, and inconsistent exercise (i.e., the weekend warrior). These activities carry a significant risk of injury to the structures of the spine, as well as the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that support the spine.

Accidents and sports injuries can lead to sudden back injuries. But even simple day-to-day actions, such as improperly lifting a heavy object or twisting the back awkwardly when reaching for an object, can trigger traumatic back injuries.

The physical stresses and strains on the spine to which men are subjected can also accelerate and exacerbate the onset of spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disease.

Which Infection Causes Back Pain in Men?

Kidney and bladder infections can cause back pain in men. With a kidney infection, men typically experience pain in the sides of the back. If a bladder infection spreads to the kidneys, it can cause mid-back pain. 

Back pain caused by an infection won’t improve with changes in body positioning. This is unlike most other forms of back pain, which can be alleviated by moving or changing position.  

Lower Back Pain Causes Male

Lower back pain causes in males include:

  • Lower back strain: Lower back pain can stem from a muscle strain in the lower back. This commonly results from men overstretching or overusing the lower back muscles. For example, lifting a heavy object, weightlifting with poor posture, or repeatedly straining the lower back muscles in sports (i.e. golf) can cause a lower back strain. 
  • Arthritis of the lumbar spine: If arthritis affects the lumbar spine, it may trigger lower back pain. The most common type of arthritis to cause lower back pain in men is osteoarthritis, which results from gradual wear and tear on the spine. 
  • Kidney problems: As mentioned above, kidney stones can trigger severe pain in the lower back, along with painful urination and other symptoms. Kidney infections can also cause lower back pain in men; this type of infection often also causes pain in the side of the body and around the genitals. 
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis: Lumbar spinal stenosis often results from degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, which occur in almost everyone over age 60. Spinal stenosis is equally common in both genders, making it a prevalent cause of lower back pain in men. 
  • Lumbar disc damage: The lumbar spinal discs are more susceptible to damage than other areas of the spine. The lumbar spine bears more impact and is more flexible than the rest of the spine. So, lower back pain in men is often a symptom of a bulging or herniated disc.   
  • Lumbar spondylolisthesis: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is another condition resulting from age-related spinal degeneration. It can trigger chronic lower back pain in men, particularly those aged 50 and older. 

Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability globally and accounts for most back pain cases. Therefore, many men’s spine health issues stem from a problem in the lower back. 

Lower Left Side Back Pain: Male

Lower left side back pain in males can indicate kidney stones, kidney or urinary tract infections, prostate problems, back injuries, or spinal conditions.

  • Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and other substances that develop in the kidneys. Men are more likely to develop kidney stones than women; the incidence is 11% in men and 9% in women. One of the symptoms of kidney stones is severe back or side pain that doesn’t get better. 
  • Kidney infections can cause pain in the back, abdomen, side, or beneath the rib cage. Other symptoms include fever, chills, painful urination, burning while urination, blood in urine, and frequent urination. Kidney infections require emergency medical care to prevent permanent tissue damage and other serious complications, like sepsis. 
  • Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are a common type of infection affecting the urinary system. Most UTIs are bacterial and can cause pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or back. Other symptoms include frequent urination, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and cloudy, bloody, or odorous urine. 
  • Prostate problems, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, can cause pain in the lower left side of the back, as well as abdominal pain, urinary problems, fever, and chills. Prostatitis occurs when the prostate is inflamed or infected, and it can be treated with antibiotics. If you experience possible symptoms of a prostate problem, see a doctor immediately, as early detection can improve your prognosis. 
  • Back injuries, like sprains and strains, can cause lower left side back pain. Thankfully, most sprains and strains are mild and heal within a few weeks with rest, heat/cold therapy, and other home remedies. Severe back injuries may require professional medical care. 
  • Spinal conditions like spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and herniated discs can cause lower left side back pain. These conditions can cause spinal nerve compression, which may trigger neurological symptoms like tingling, weakness, and numbness in the extremities.  

To tell if your back pain is kidney-related, consider the following factors:

  • Location

Kidney pain is generally felt higher on the back and “deeper” within the body when compared to back pain. Additionally, kidney pain can radiate to the abdomen or crotch area. In contrast, if back pain radiates, it typically travels down the legs. 

  • Frequency

As mentioned in the previous section, back pain can usually be improved by changing the position of the body. Patients may find temporary back pain relief by bending forward, standing up, or sitting down. 

Kidney pain, on the other hand, won’t improve with different positions or movements. It tends to be constant. 

  • Other symptoms

Serious kidney problems can cause other symptoms, including fatigue, fever, and body aches. If you experience these symptoms with what you suspect is kidney pain, or if the pain is sudden and excruciating, visit a doctor immediately. 

Can Prostate Problems Cause Lower Back Pain?

Yes, prostate problems can cause lower back pain in men. Recurrent pain or stiffness in the lower back is a symptom of prostate problems, along with:

  • A frequent impulse to urinate
  • Having to get up at night several times to urinate
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Pain or burning while urinating
  • Bloody semen or urine
  • Persistent pain and/or stiffness in the hips, pelvis, rectal area, or upper thighs
  • Urinary dribbling

If you experience these symptoms of prostate problems, seek out urgent medical care. 

What Organs Can Cause Lower Back Pain in Men?

The kidneys, prostate, bladder, colon, liver, gallbladder, and appendix are organs that can cause lower back pain in men. With organ-related lower back pain, you may experience pain in only one side of the back. 

Why is Back Pain at Night a Red Flag?

Back pain at night is considered a red flag because it can be a sign of a serious condition, like cancer or an infection. This is particularly true for back pain that doesn’t just continue at night but worsens when you’re sleeping. 

If you experience worsening back pain at night, it doesn’t necessarily indicate a serious medical issue. But, especially if you experience other symptoms in conjunction with back pain, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. Other symptoms to keep an eye out for with back pain at night include saddle anesthesia, incontinence, and weakness, numbness, or pain in the leg muscles. 

What Helps Back Pain for Men?

Prompt medical treatment and self-care help with back pain for men. If you’re concerned about an underlying condition that could be causing your back pain, remember that the great majority of back pain cases in men involve muscle trauma, strains, or other minor injuries. These common conditions resolve on their own with rest and proper care.

However, if your back pain persists despite at-home therapies, a qualified medical specialist can identify the problem. After diagnosing the condition, your physician can recommend a variety of male back pain treatment options, most of which are non-invasive. Even serious spinal conditions such as degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis can be effectively treated.

Male Back Pain Treatment

Common male back pain treatments include physical therapy, alternative therapies, pain medications, and, for severe cases, surgery. 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is often viewed as the gold standard of non-invasive treatment for back pain. Physical therapists are trained to help people recover from injuries and conditions impacting their mobility. They can help with various forms of back pain by:

  • Improving muscle strength through targeted exercises
  • Improving range of motion through gentle stretches and manual therapies
  • Correcting imbalances and dysfunctions to distribute forces evenly across the body 

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies like massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic care can help with back pain without medications or invasive procedures. While some alternative therapies lack scientific support, many offer proven benefits for inflammation, pain, and stiffness. 

Non-Surgical Pain Management Strategies

Non-surgical male back pain treatments can help reduce discomfort and improve quality of life without the risks and downtime associated with surgery. Along with physical therapy and alternative remedies, like those mentioned above, this includes pain medications. 

Over-the-counter pain medications can help with short-term symptom management. NSAIDs reduce pain and bring down inflammation, making them helpful for back injuries. In some cases, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength medications as part of your back pain treatment plan. 

Surgery for Back Pain in Men

When non-invasive treatments fail to provide relief after six to 12 months, your physician may recommend surgery. Spinal decompression surgery can relieve pressure on spinal nerves, dramatically reducing pain and the other symptoms associated with various spinal conditions.

Thankfully, patients today no longer need to surrender the full range of spinal motion to benefit from spinal decompression surgery. In the past, spinal fusion surgery was routinely performed in conjunction with spinal decompression surgery to stabilize the spine. Now, the TOPS™ System is available as a spinal fusion alternative.

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As a non-fusion implant, the TOPS™ System enables spinal decompression patients to maintain their full range of spinal motion. Instead of fusing adjacent vertebrae at the point of the decompression surgery, this implant allows each vertebra to maintain independent flexion and lateral motion.

Though men are likely to experience back pain at some point in life, they have many advanced treatment options to choose from today. With these effective therapies, men can achieve relief from back pain, even in its most serious forms. 

How to Prevent Back Pain in Men

Back pain prevention strategies for men include adjusting lifestyle habits, optimizing workplace setups, addressing underlying health concerns, and improving exercise routines. 

Lifestyle Modifications

Healthy lifestyle modifications are a simple way to improve men’s spine health over time. The most impactful changes for back pain prevention include:

  • Adopting a balanced, nutritious diet for weight management and inflammation prevention
  • Exercising regularly to maintain mobility and muscle strength
  • Quitting smoking, a proven back pain risk factor
  • Improving posture

Workplace Ergonomics to Prevent Back Pain

Given that the typical workday is eight hours, how you sit, stand, and work matters, particularly for your long-term spinal health. Optimizing your workplace ergonomics with these tips can help men prevent back pain, in and out of the office:

  • Invest in a top-notch desk chair with excellent lumbar back support. Your chair should encourage proper spinal alignment, making it comfortable to sit with good posture. 
  • Take the plunge and try a standing desk. Alternating between sitting and standing during the workday ups your movement levels, boosting blood circulation while preventing muscle tension. 
  • Take periodic breaks to stretch and take a brief walk. The general recommendation is to stand up and move around every half hour. 
  • Position your screen at eye level, ensuring you don’t have to strain or bend while you work. 

Underlying Health Concerns

Health concerns like poor sleep quality and high stress levels can have a major impact on your susceptibility to back pain. Addressing these issues helps improve men’s spine health and overall well-being. 

  • Sleep is your body’s opportunity to repair damaged tissues, while sleep deprivation worsens pain sensitivity. If you struggle to get enough high-quality sleep each night, consider:
    • Improving your sleep hygiene by winding down before bed, avoiding blue light at night, and sticking to a consistent sleep schedule. 
    • Adjusting your sleeping position to reduce stress on the spine. 
    • Talking to your doctor for further support, particularly for persistent sleep issues. 
  • Chronically elevated stress levels can up inflammation throughout your body, increasing your pain sensitivity while worsening muscle tension. Working to manage stress through exercise, meditation, mindfulness exercises, and support from loved ones can help minimize back pain before it starts.

Best Back Pain Exercises for Men

The best back pain exercises for men are strength workouts and low-impact exercise. 

Strength exercises can help men bolster the core and back muscles, which support the spine. Strengthening these muscle groups allows them to absorb impact with various movements, minimizing stress on the spine. Whether you prefer bodyweight exercises, free weights, machine weights, or resistance bands, keep these tips in mind to maximize your strength gains while protecting your spine:

  • Start with lighter weights and increase gradually. 
  • Prioritize form over weight: If you can’t lift a weight with proper posture, it’s too heavy.
  • Warm up before strength training with 10 minutes of aerobic exercise, like walking, doing jumping jacks, or using an elliptical machine.
  • If you experience pain during a rep, stop and take a break. 
  • Rotate muscle groups so you don’t repeat the same exercises two days in a row (this can lead to overuse). 
  • Don’t forget to breathe!

Low-impact exercise is ideal for men with back pain. It can also help prevent back pain before it starts by improving stamina, mobility, and muscle strength. Compared to high-impact exercise, low-impact workouts support physical fitness without placing excessive strain on your soft tissues and joints. 

Low-impact workouts that are safe for men with back pain include:

  • Swimming and water aerobics
  • Brisk walking
  • Cycling
  • Using an elliptical
  • Yoga (you may need to avoid deep spinal twists and bends)

Thankfully, most causes of back pain in men can be effectively treated, if not prevented altogether. Talk to your doctor for personalized guidance on how to protect your spine and avoid ongoing pain.