Organs on right side of body near waist

Lower back pain is most commonly associated with problems of the spine, but did you know that inflammation and other problems with your internal organs can also cause back pain? This type of pain usually affects one side of the back, near where the organ is located.

Irritation, inflammation, or infection of any of the organs in the central, abdominal, or pelvic region can produce lower back pain. Let’s talk about some of the main organs that can cause this pain, and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment:

Kidneys

Kidneys help remove liquid waste from the body. When urine contains a lot of chemical substances – more than what the urine can dilute – kidney stones can form, and they can cause a sharp pain in the side and the lower back region.

Kidney stones can also cause other symptoms, such as difficulty urinating and blood in the urine. If the issue is a kidney infection, this can result in lower back pain and fever.

Pancreas

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which is an organ that plays an important role in digestion and blood sugar regulation. The pain from pancreatitis may start in your upper abdomen and radiate to your lower back. The pain can be severe and disabling, so be sure to see a doctor right away.

Appendix

The appendix is located in the lower-right abdomen, and its function has recently been determined to be a storehouse of good bacteria. However, it can suddenly become inflamed, causing severe pain that starts in the lower abdomen and travels to the lower back. An inflamed appendix needs to be surgically removed because if it bursts, the leak can cause toxic effects in the body.

Large Intestine

Inflammation of the large intestine (colon), or ulcerative colitis, can also cause lower back pain. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps and rectal pain.

Physical Therapy for Treating Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain needs to be evaluated by a doctor in order to find out whether an internal organ is causing it, or exactly what the source of the pain is. Imaging studies and other tests will reveal the cause of your symptoms.

Lower back pain can be relieved without medication or surgery by employing physical therapy. Here at Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness, our experienced medical team provides superior and individualized physical therapy programs for our patients. Our licensed and skilled physical therapists will work with you to relieve your lower back pain and to make your body stronger and more flexible.

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with us, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (512) 284-7192 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We proudly serve Austin, Round Rock, Manor, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Bee Caves, and Hutto – and we look forward to helping you enjoy less back pain and more living!

Right side abdominal (tummy) pain is often nothing to worry about, but as some of these conditions may need medical attention, it’s important to know what’s causing it.

Stomach pain on the right side could be coming from your digestive tract or your stomach, but it may also be related to other organs in this area: your small and large intestine, right kidney, liver or appendix.

Several different conditions can cause discomfort in this part of the body, but understanding the differences between them and which organs they affect, could help you pinpoint the cause.

Digestive problems

Digestive problems such as

,

or food poisoning can cause pain in the right side of your abdomen.

Chronic bowel conditions like

(IBS) and

(IBD) can also cause pain in the right side of your abdomen.

If you’re not sure if your bowels or digestive system are causing you pain, ask yourself the following questions:

  • does the pain feel crampy or come and go in waves?
  • do I feel bloated or sick?
  • do I find it hard to poo? (constipation)
  • do I have heartburn or acid reflux?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, your pain may be linked to a digestive problem.

Chronic or long-term digestive problems need to be treated by a doctor, but common conditions like gastroenteritis or constipation can be treated at home.

Try to drink plenty of fluids and take painkillers if you need help to manage the pain. If you have constipation or

, it may help to make small changes to your diet and lifestyle, such as eating high-fibre foods, drinking plenty of fluids or going for a daily walk.

Note: You should always visit a doctor if the pain won't settle or you’re worried about your symptoms. Also go straight to a doctor if:

  • there’s blood in your poo
  • you’ve lost a lot of weight without trying to
  • your symptoms are getting worse
  • you’re struggling to swallow

Kidney conditions

Pain from the kidney tends to be a dull, aching pain, but some kidney conditions can cause intense stabbing pain. You may feel like the pain starts at the back of your abdomen, or that it comes and goes.

Conditions that affect your kidneys include

,

and kidney cancers.

If you have a kidney infection, you may feel pain along your urinary tract (towards the bottom right corner of your abdomen) and it’s not unusual for kidney pain to get worse when you pee.

If you think your kidneys may be causing the pain, ask yourself the following questions:

  • do I have a high temperature (fever)?
  • do I feel shivery?
  • is there blood in my pee?
  • do I have symptoms that are normally associated with a ?

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, see a doctor.

Kidney stones and infections can cause long-term damage to your kidneys, so it’s important to treat them quickly.

Liver conditions

Any condition that causes your liver to become inflamed or swollen can cause dull, aching or stabbing pain towards the right side of your abdomen.

This includes liver infections like hepatitis A or B, liver cancer or an abscess. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic

can also cause liver pain, but most types of liver disease don’t cause any symptoms in the early stages.

See a doctor if you think your liver may be causing the pain.

Conditions like hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease can be treated, but it’s important to act fast because they can permanently scar your liver if left untreated.

Appendicitis

The appendix is a small organ located in the bottom-right corner of your abdomen. If your appendix gets inflamed or swollen (

), it can cause sudden, sharp or stabbing pain that gets worse when you move around or cough.

Other symptoms include constipation or diarrhoea, loss of appetite and nausea.

Untreated appendicitis can be life-threatening. You should seek medical help immediately if the pain in your abdomen:

  • gets slowly worse
  • gets worse suddenly and spreads across your tummy
  • gets a little better before getting worse again (this may be a sign that your appendix has burst)

What organ is on right side at waistline?

Organs found in the right lower quadrant include the appendix, the upper portion of the colon, and the right ovary and the Fallopian tube in women. The right lower quadrant may be assessed when diagnosing appendicitis, in which case, this quadrant would be tender and painful.

Why does my right side hurt near my waist?

Why Do I Have Lower Right Abdominal Pain? Pain on the right side of the abdomen can be caused by conditions such as appendicitis, hernia, kidney issues, reproductive system issues, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion, or even gas. There are many possible reasons for discomfort in your right abdominal region.

When should I be worried about right side pain?

“Appendicitis, or an infection of the appendix, can be a life-threatening condition. Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency, and surgery is required to remove the appendix.” If you notice pain (especially on your right side), fever, vomiting and loss of appetite, get emergency medical attention.

What organ makes your right side hurt?

Appendicitis. If your appendix becomes inflamed, it causes appendicitis. This appendage is located where the small and large intestines meet, on the right side of the body, and therefore causes right side abdominal pain.