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 that has experience in spinal issues, as well as, understanding various health conditions that can contribute to spine pain, and making the correct diagnosis can help in developing 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:
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Spinal Issues or Kidney Problems and An Accurate Diagnosis
 
Individuals with a kidney condition can sometimes experience back pain caused by the disease or condition. Kidney problems like: These can easily be mistaken for mid and upper back pain. However, if there is persistent soreness or irritation it could mean 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 one of 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 that are 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 in order 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. Kidney infection/s are typically caused by bacteria. 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.  
11860 Vista Del Sol, Ste. 128 Spinal Issues or Kidney Problems and An Accurate Diagnosis
 

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

Back Pain Specialist

 
 

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The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate 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 also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to 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. The provider(s) 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

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Spinal Issues or Kidney Problems and An Accurate Diagnosis" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various 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 directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted 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, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

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

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

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Dr. Alex Jimenez
Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.