Many conditions or injuries can cause lower-left back pain. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, or NINDS, the spinal column is the centerpiece of the back that supports the weight of the upper body and guards the spinal cord from damage. Some types of lower back problems manifest on both sides of the lower back, whereas other types of lower back problems predominantly occur on one side of the spine.
DOMS
Delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, can cause lower-left back pain. According to the Sports Injury Clinic website, DOMS is a type of muscle soreness that manifests after physical activity that's more intense than usual. Eccentric muscle contractions---contractions that occur while a muscle is lengthening---are thought to be the primary cause of DOMS. Explosive activities, such as plyometrics, are a leading cause of DOMS. DOMS can occur in any muscle, including the muscles of the lower-left back. Common signs and symptoms associated with DOMS include muscle aching and tightness 12 to 48 hours post-exercise and decreased active range of motion in the affected area. The Sports Injury Clinic website notes that DOMS-related pain or discomfort should relent about three days post-exercise and that all symptoms should be gone within one week. Conservative care strategies, such as hydrotherapy, rest and massage, may help reduce DOMS-related pain.
Ectopic Pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy can cause lower-left back pain. MayoClinic.com states that an ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg embeds itself in a place other than the lining of the uterus. Possible locations for an ectopic pregnancy include the fallopian tubes, abdomen, ovary or cervix. Ectopic pregnancies that occur in the fallopian tubes are called tubal pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancies are nonviable pregnancies, which means that the fertilized egg cannot survive and may cause damage to reproductive tract tissues. Common signs and symptoms associated with an ectopic pregnancy include pain or cramping on one side of the pelvis, vaginal bleeding, lower abdominal pain on the affected side, dizziness and lightheadedness. Certain risk factors can increase a woman's likelihood for an ectopic pregnancy, including a previous ectopic pregnancy, inflammation or infection of reproductive tract structures, or taking certain medication to combat fertility problems.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer can cause lower-left back pain. According to the National Cancer Institute, kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma and renal pelvis carcinoma. Renal cell carcinoma is cancer that occurs in the kidney tubes, which remove waste products from the blood, whereas renal pelvis carcinoma is cancer that manifests in the center of the kidney, where urine accumulates. An estimated 13,040 Americans will die from kidney cancer in 2010, reports the NCI. Common signs and symptoms associated with kidney cancer include blood in the urine, flank pain or pain on the side of the body that does not relent, a palpable lump or mass in the side or abdomen, unexplained weight loss, fever and malaise. The NCI states that certain risk factors can increase a person's likelihood for kidney cancer, including smoking, obesity, elevated blood pressure and being male.
