Regular back pain vs kidney ‘back’ pain: Doctor explains how to tell the difference

Not every back ache is muscular. Know how to tell different types of back pain apart.

Back pain is something you will hear almost every other person complaining about, as it has become extremely common. However, just because it is a frequent health concern does not mean it should be treated casually or dismissed. While back pain can often be traced to fixable lifestyle habits like poor posture or long hours of sitting, it can also be a sign of underlying ailments involving internal organs, with the kidneys being one of them. Learning how they differ in terms of location, nature and associated symptoms is therefore very critical for accurate diagnosis.

Regular back pain from poor posture and kidney issues' back pain often may be difficult to distinguish. (Picture credit: Freepik)

In a conversation with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rohan Goyal, founder and regenerative medicine specialist at Nuvana, helped decode the differences and how one can identify them. There are two types: one from internal organs, like kidney-related problems, and the other from poor spinal posture. Let's break down each of them.

Regular back pain

Long hours of sitting at work can increase back pain, which is a mumusculoskeletal issue. (Image generated via Google Gemini)

Regular back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, usually linked to everyday habits such as poor posture, physical strain like lifting something heavy and long hours of sitting.

Dr Goyal described the sensation and location, saying, "Regular back pain often feels like stiffness, soreness, and a dull ache.”

He also disclosed that symptoms are usually localised and isolated, meaning they are mostly related to posture or strain-related discomfort, and you will not see other unrelated signs, hence it remains localised.

It is generally manageable and potentially non-serious, as it can generally be corrected by improving posture, ergonomics, and incorporating stretching and flexibility exercises to support spinal health. However, the doctor advised that it is always better to rule out other causes of back pain and not overlook any red flags. Now, let's look at back pain that may occur due to kidney-related problems.

Kidney-related back pain

Vomiting and frequent urination are among the common signs. (Picture credit: Shutterstock)

Kidney-related back pain is actually an internal pain that is sometimes mistaken for back pain. Dr Goyal described how it feels, explaining, "Kidney pain, on the other hand, occurs higher up, on either side of the spine, below the rib cage. It is deeper and more constant.” Unlike regular musculoskeletal back pain, this pain is also accompanied by several other symptoms. The doctor listed them as fever, nausea, vomiting, a burning sensation while urinating, frequent urination, or blood in urine.

A thorough evaluation helps differentiate between spine-related issues and internal imbalances.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.