Kidney Pain vs. Back Pain

With debilitating back pain, it can be difficult to decipher between a simple pulled muscle and a more serious internal problem. After all, back pain is a possible symptom of certain organ conditions, including kidney problems. In this article, we’ll explore kidney pain vs. back pain and when to seek medical care.

Your Back Pain Is Kidney-Related

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You may know that your back pain is kidney-related if you feel it on the upper half of the back and more deeply than typical back pain. 

Signs that your back pain may be kidney-related include:

  • You primarily feel it in the upper back (although kidney pain can also affect the lower back). 
  • You experience pain just under the ribcage or in your sides. 
  • Your back pain feels like a constant, dull ache or sharp pain that occurs in waves. 
  • Your back pain spreads to the groin. 
  • Your pain comes with other symptoms, including:
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Fever
    • Chills 
    • Pain while urinating and/or blood in urine
    • Needing to urinate urgently
    • Dizziness
    • Diarrhea or constipation

Your back pain may not be kidney-related if it improves when you move around, change positions, or avoid activities that strain the spine. Additionally, you may be dealing with back pain and/or a spinal condition (not a kidney problem) if you experience additional symptoms like:

  • Swelling and tenderness in the painful area
  • Muscle spasms in the affected area
  • Numbness, weakness, and/or tingling in the lower extremities
  • Back stiffness
  • A grating or crackling sensation (known as crepitus) in the spine

What Kidney Problems Can Cause Back Pain?

Kidney problems that can cause back pain include kidney infections, kidney stones, polycystic kidney disease, kidney cysts, and kidney tumors. 

  • Kidney infections occur when bacteria from the bladder reach one or both kidneys. Also known as pyelonephritis, this condition requires immediate medical care to prevent long-term kidney damage. 
  • Kidney stones are deposits of salts and minerals that form in the kidneys when urine becomes concentrated. If the stones get caught in the ureters and prevent urine from passing through the body, they can cause spasms in the ureter. This may trigger sharp back, groin, and lower abdominal pain. 
  • Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is a genetic condition that causes cyst growth in the kidneys. These cysts can compromise normal kidney function and may cause lower back, side, or abdominal pain. 
  • Kidney cysts are small pouches that develop on or in the kidneys. They can either be solid or fluid-filled. In most cases, kidney cysts are benign and asymptomatic. However, if the cysts become too large, they may cause pain in the back, side, or under the ribs.  
  • Kidney tumors are abnormal kidney growths that may be benign or cancerous. In either case, the tumor may trigger lower back pain, side pain, flank pain, or pain under the ribs. 

Does Kidney Pain Hurt to the Touch?

Kidney pain can hurt to the touch. If you press gently where the kidney is located, the pain may worsen or feel more intense. 

Your physician may gently press over the kidney or tap the flank area as part of the physical exam to diagnose kidney pain.  

Causes of Back Pain That May Feel Like Kidney Pain

Causes of back pain that may feel like kidney pain include back muscle sprain, back spasms, herniated discs, and sciatica. 

  • Back sprains occur when ligaments in the back are stretched or torn. This causes back inflammation and pain, as well as muscle spasms, in some cases. Back sprains often result from overuse, lifting heavy objects, and excessively bending or twisting. 
  • Back spasms are a very common form of back pain that results from a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction. They can be caused by poor posture, overuse, dehydration, potassium deficiency, and even anxiety or stress. Back spasms are also a symptom of certain spinal conditions, including spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, spinal arthritis, and herniated discs. 
Causes of Back Pain That May Feel Like Kidney Pain
  • Herniated discs are spinal discs that become damaged, either due to a sudden trauma or gradual degeneration. With this condition, the tough disc exterior cracks or tears, and the jelly-like interior protrudes into the spinal canal. Especially if a herniated disc occurs in the lower or mid back, it could be mistaken for kidney pain. 
  • Sciatica results from pressure on the sciatic nerve, and it involves pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back to one or both legs. It can also cause dull or sharp lower back pain, which may be mistaken for kidney pain. 

Other Conditions That May Feel Like Kidney Pain

Urinary tract infections, appendicitis, and stomach viruses can also mimic kidney pain.

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How to Tell if It’s Kidney Pain or Back Pain

It’s Kidney Pain or Back Pain

You can tell if it’s kidney pain or back pain by evaluating where you’re experiencing pain, how deep it feels, and if it’s accompanied by other symptoms. 

Ultimately, the only way to know for sure if you have kidney pain or back pain is to see a doctor. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and medical history to identify possible causes of your pain. If this information points to a kidney problem, you may need to undergo testing before your doctor can make a diagnosis. 

Along with a physical exam, your doctor may order the following tests to diagnose kidney pain:

  • Urine tests can reveal signs of kidney disease, including infections and proteins. 
  • Blood tests can help diagnose kidney stones and kidney infections. 
  • An ultrasound imaging test allows your doctor to see the kidneys and other areas of the urinary tract. It can help diagnose kidney stones, cysts, tumors, and infections. 
  • A CT (computer tomography) scan uses a computer and X-rays to form detailed images of the kidneys.  
  • An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test provides detailed images of your kidneys using a powerful magnet, radio waves, and a computer. Compared to CT scans, MRIs provide superior contract resolution. 

If your physician determines that your pain isn’t kidney-related, they’ll likely consider other common causes of back pain, such as:

  • Back muscle strain or ligament sprain
  • Herniated disc
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Scoliosis
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis 

These forms of back pain can be caused by an acute injury, like a sudden blow to the spine, or spinal degeneration. Degeneration occurs over time as a result of wear and tear, as well as age-related changes to the spine. 

If you’re struggling with back pain that doesn’t go away with at-home care, or if you have other symptoms of a kidney problem (like nausea, vomiting, or fever), visit your doctor for an evaluation.