Question
I am experiencing extreme pain in my lower right back.  This is third time over the past few months I've experienced it and it will normally end up on both sides.  It is so bad right now it hurts to walk.  It is excruciating to get up and try to straighten my back.  When I sit (with feet touching the floor) I can't lift my legs from the floor very much without worsening the pain.  Also when I bent my neck (chin to chest motion) it sent waves of pain.

The last two times I've experienced this its seemed to coexist with a severe UTI that wouldn't respond to treatment.  I've been to the doc several times and have yet to establish if there is a connection.  They've given me Tylenol three which didn't touch it.

Do you have any insight as to what might be causing he pain?  Could there be a connection with the pain and the UTI (and my kidney)

Please help.

Answer

Hanna Somatic Educatio Yes, Sara, there may be a direct connection between your urinary tract infection and your back pain.

The pain of a UTI may trigger muscular contractions in the area and that may be the origin of the pain.  However, the kidneys are not in the lower back, but the mid-back roughly behind your solar plexus, so the problem is probably muscular.

When you say that the UTI wouldn'r respond to treatment, is that based on the existence of pain or upon tests that show the absence or presence of a UTI?

I'm referring you to an information page on my website, on back pain:  http://somatics.com/back_exercises_for_lower_back_pain.htm

If the problem is muscular, the resources can help -- and fairly quickly.  If it's a result of a UTI, they won't help or will help only partially.

good wishes,
Lawrence Gold