Spinal Issues or Kidney Problems and An Accurate Diagnosis

Trying to understand what is causing back pain that comes out of nowhere, whether a spinal issue or a kidney issue, can be quite challenging. Doing a self-examination, retracing steps, and constantly thinking about it is exhausting. The right healthcare professional with experience in spinal issues, understanding various health conditions that can contribute to spine pain, and making the correct diagnosis can help develop the proper treatment plan or refer the individual to the proper specialist.

The Kidneys

The organs are located below the ribs, close to the middle/thoracic back. Healthy kidneys support and help with:

• The elimination of waste from the body
• Regulating blood pressure
• Making red blood cells
• Performing other essential jobs

Individuals with a kidney condition can sometimes experience back pain caused by the disease or condition. Kidney problems like:

• Stones
• Infection/s
• Kidney diseases

These can easily be mistaken for mid and upper back pain. However, if there is persistent soreness or irritation, a more significant health issue associated with the kidneys could be present.

Spine Problem or Stone/s

If there is a feeling of kidney pain, it is possible to come from two places and/or both. This could be distension/ballooning of the capsule called the ureter that surrounds the kidneys. The ureters are the tubes attached to each kidney and transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine contains salts and minerals. These minerals can clump together, creating a kidney stone and block the ureters. The ureter contracts from the stone that is creating the blockage.

When there is a blockage from a stone, the urine can back up and cause the capsule to expand, causing pain. The pain location is usually on one side and is categorized as a dull ache – meaning the pain is constantly present and causing discomfort. Chronic back pain caused by nerve compression is typically on one side, like sciatica.

The pain from a stone can be only slight unless the stone is trying to move. Then the pain can be severe and last for several minutes before it passes. However, if the pain is excruciating and a kidney stone is suspected, go to the hospital and get an examination. Collecting the stone is crucial when it passes to be analyzed. A stone analysis will help in figuring the proper treatment to prevent another kidney stone/s from developing.

Spine Problem or Infection

A kidney infection could be another cause of back pain. Bacteria typically cause kidney infection/s. A dull throbbing could be sensed in the middle and/or upper back.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms associated with infection often include back, side, and groin pain as well as a combination of symptoms like:

• Chills
• Fever
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Constant sensation of needing to use the bathroom
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Causes

Causes that can increase the chances of developing an infection.

• Kidney stone/s
• Nerve damage that affects the bladder
• Spinal damage that does not allow the bladder to be emptied
• Urinary tract infection

Older individuals can develop kidney infections without any underlying conditions. There are rare genetic diseases like polycystic kidney disease and Fabry disease that can cause kidney pain and be mistaken for back pain.

Telling the Difference

There is no quick and easy way to figure out if it is back or kidney pain. Especially if a constant aching is present. Seeing an experienced doctor or chiropractor is the recommended option for getting a formal and accurate diagnosis. A physical exam, family, and personal medical history will be collected along with various tests. Tests can include:

• Urine analysis
• Culture
• Abdominal X-ray
• CT scan
• MRI

Pain medications and specific fluids are usually prescribed along with time to pass the stone. Antibiotics can be prescribed for kidney infections, chiropractic treatment can be suggested for spinal alignment/myofascial tense muscle release, and home remedies can help treat any discomfort. These can include:

• Using ice/heat on the area where there is discomfort
• Self-massage
• Staying properly hydrated
• Diet adjustment/s
• Taking over the counter pain meds when necessary

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Back Pain Specialized Treatment

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General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Tozzi, P et al. “Low back pain and kidney mobility: local osteopathic fascial manipulation decreases pain perception and improves renal mobility.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 16,3 (2012): 381-391. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2012.02.001