Back Pain or Kidney Pain?
Sometimes where we feel pain is not necessarily where the problem is. Back pain can mimic many other conditions, so should be taken seriously to ensure it is not covering something more sinister.
Our nervous system controls everything in the body. It is the wiring between the brain and the rest of the body. Nerves run from the brain through the spinal cord, which is protected by the spinal column. The nerves then feed into the rest of the body communicating with the brain. This is why deferred pain can sometimes show up as back pain.
Common areas of referred pain
Legs - either one or both legs, from the top all the way down to the feet. Leg and back pain is often referred to as Sciatica.
Digestive system - commonly feelings of bloating or indigestion. This can also be a side effect of taking painkillers to relieve back pain
What about kidney pain?
Pain from the kidneys can often exhibit as back pain, on one or both sides. This is particularly common with kidney infections. The pain is usually at a constant low level, but can be sharp if the infection is more severe. It is often difficult to find a comfortable position to ease symptoms.
Symptoms that point to kidney issues include an increase in temperature - more commonly seen with infections. The pain spreading to the tummy, which is very unusual for back pain, which tends to spread into the buttocks and legs. Pain higher up under the ribs, whereas back pain is typically lower.
If we believe you have an infection or other kidney issues we will refer you to your GP for further investigations and blood tests.
When you come to the clinic you can be confident as trained professionals we know what to look out for. We are happy to give advice and support and know when it is right to treat you, or refer you to a medical specialist.
