According to a report, around 80% of Americans experience pain in the lower left side of their back. There are multiple reasons for experiencing left side back pain. Although there are some minor issues, such as muscle strains, in the case of which the body can heal itself within a certain time. However, if the pain persists, then you may require the attention of a specialist. Let’s have a look at the three common reasons behind experiencing back pain on the left side of the body.

Muscle strain
This is perhaps the most common reason for the left side back pain. When your muscles in the back get overworked due to a fall or any such reasons, you will feel this pain. In most cases, torn muscles are the cause of the pain. So, your doctor will begin your treatment by asking about your medical history and checking for the following:

• Weakness in the muscles
• Some signals that will indicate a rupture in the muscles
• Feeling of discomfort during multiple range motion exercises
• Localized tenderness

The bottom line is that left side back pain due to muscle strain can be really painful, but within a few days, it will go away.

Spinal structure
If the cause of your left side back pain is not a muscle strain, then the doctors will next check whether the pain is related to your spinal structure. Some of the common causes of the left back pain due to the spinal structure include the following:

• Facet joint pain
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Lumbar herniated disc

If your doctor finds out that spinal structure is the cause of your pain, then he or she will perform any of the following;

• Neurologic exam
• Leg raise test
• Reflex test

Also, if the doctor feels it necessary, then he or she may ask you to undergo an X-ray, MRI, or CT-scan that will reveal the actual cause of the pain.

Internal organs
Though it is very rare, the cause of your left side back pain might be due to problems in your internal organs that could include the following:

• Pregnancy
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney infection
• Ulcerative colitis
• Kidney stones
• Gynecological disorders

If the internal organs are the cause of your back pain, then your recent medical history will be really helpful in determining the right treatment. Also, you may have to go for an X-ray, MRI, or CT-scan to confirm that a certain internal organ is the cause of your left side back pain.