Which organ can cause back pain? Uncovering the surprising culprits

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 80% of adults will experience back pain at some point in their lives, but it is not always caused by a muscle strain or spine problem. Understanding which organ can cause back pain is critical, as discomfort can stem from a serious underlying medical condition rather than a simple injury. This phenomenon is known as referred pain, where an issue in one part of the body is felt elsewhere due to shared nerve pathways.

Quick Summary

Back pain can originate from internal organ issues, not just musculoskeletal problems. Key culprits include the kidneys, pancreas, aorta, and liver, as well as female reproductive organs. Associated symptoms like fever or urinary changes help distinguish referred pain from common strains, necessitating proper diagnosis.

Key Points

Referred Pain: Pain from an internal organ can be felt in the back due to overlapping nerve pathways, confusing the brain's perception of the pain source.
Kidney vs. Back Pain: Kidney-related back pain is often a constant, dull ache in the upper back or flank, accompanied by symptoms like fever, nausea, or urinary changes, unlike musculoskeletal pain that changes with movement.
Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas causes pain in the upper abdomen that can radiate through to the back, often worsened by eating or lying flat.
Vascular Concerns: A deep, throbbing lower back pain, especially with a pulsating feeling in the abdomen, can signal an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a serious medical emergency.
Gynecological Causes: Women may experience lower back pain from conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or PID, which involve inflammation and pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles.
Liver and Gallbladder Issues: An enlarged or inflamed liver can cause dull pain in the upper right back, while gallstones can cause pain that radiates to the right side or shoulder blade.

What is Referred Pain?

Referred pain is discomfort perceived at a location different from the source of the painful stimulus. The body's nerves often have overlapping paths, which can confuse the brain about where the pain is coming from. For back pain, this means that an issue with an organ in the abdominal or pelvic region can be felt in the back. Recognizing these signs is crucial because they often require different medical approaches than typical musculoskeletal problems.

Kidneys: Located on Either Side of the Spine

The kidneys are a primary non-musculoskeletal source of back pain. Located just below the ribcage on either side of the spine, pain related to kidney problems is often felt in the middle to upper back, or as "flank pain" between the ribs and hips.

Common kidney issues causing back pain include:

Kidney Stones: These can cause sharp, intense pain that comes in waves as a stone moves through the urinary tract. The pain can radiate to the side, abdomen, or groin.
Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): A bacterial infection in the kidneys causes a constant, dull, and aching pain. This is usually accompanied by other symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, and painful or frequent urination.
Polycystic Kidney Disease: This inherited condition causes fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys, leading to enlargement and chronic back discomfort.

Pancreas: The Abdominal Organ That Radiates Pain

Inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, often causes severe pain in the upper abdomen that radiates through to the back. The pancreas sits behind the stomach, near the spine, explaining this referred pain.

Characteristics of pancreatic pain:

Location: Upper abdomen pain that spreads to the back, sometimes below the left shoulder blade.
Timing: Pain may feel worse after eating, especially fatty foods, and can last for several days.
Position: Lying flat often increases the pain, while leaning forward may provide some relief.
Other Symptoms: Pancreatitis is also associated with nausea, vomiting, fever, and a rapid pulse.

Aorta: A Vascular Emergency

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a weakening and bulging of the aorta, the body's main artery. While often asymptomatic, a growing or ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening medical emergency and can cause significant back pain.

Symptoms to watch for:

Deep Back Pain: A persistent, deep, or throbbing pain in the lower back.
Pulsing Sensation: A feeling of a pulsing mass or heartbeat in the abdomen.
Sudden, Severe Pain: This can indicate a rupture and requires immediate emergency care.

Liver and Gallbladder: Upper Right Quadrant Concerns

The liver and gallbladder, located in the upper right side of the abdomen, can also cause referred back pain. An enlarged or inflamed liver can press on nearby structures and nerves. Gallstones or gallbladder inflammation can cause pain that radiates to the right side of the back or shoulder blade.

Pain from these organs is often accompanied by other tell-tale symptoms:

Liver Issues: Fatigue, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Gallbladder Problems: Severe indigestion, nausea, and pain that intensifies after eating fatty meals.

Reproductive Organs in Women

For women, back pain can be linked to conditions affecting the reproductive organs in the pelvic region. These issues can cause pain that radiates to the lower back and pelvis.

Endometriosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing painful menstrual cramps and lower back discomfort.
Uterine Fibroids: These non-cancerous growths can put pressure on the lower back and pelvis, leading to a dull ache or heavy sensation.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the reproductive organs that can cause lower back pain, fever, and unusual vaginal discharge.

How to Tell Organ Pain from Musculoskeletal Pain

Understanding the subtle differences in pain characteristics is key to distinguishing organ-related issues from common muscle or spine problems. A medical professional should always provide a definitive diagnosis, but this table offers some useful points of comparison.


Feature	Organ-Related Back Pain	Musculoskeletal Back Pain
Onset	Often gradual, or can be sudden and severe (e.g., kidney stone).	Can be sudden after an injury or gradual due to overuse.
Quality	Constant, dull ache (infection) or sharp, wave-like pain (stones, aneurysm).	Can be a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull, continuous ache.
Location	Higher up, below the ribs (kidneys), or radiating from the abdomen.	Typically in the lower back, but can be anywhere on the spine.
Movement	Often unchanged or worsened by changes in position or rest.	Often improves with rest and worsens with specific movements or positions.
Associated Symptoms	Accompanied by fever, nausea, urinary changes, or digestive issues.	May involve muscle spasms, numbness, or tingling, but typically not systemic symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While many back issues resolve on their own, certain warning signs, or "red flags," indicate the need for immediate medical evaluation. If your back pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by any of the following symptoms, contact a doctor promptly:

Sudden, severe back or abdominal pain
Pain that wakes you from sleep
Fever or chills
Nausea or vomiting
Unexplained weight loss
Problems with bowel or bladder control
Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs or groin
A pulsating feeling in the abdomen
Pain that extends down one or both legs below the knee

Conclusion

Back pain is a common ailment, but it is essential to consider the possibility that an organ can cause back pain. Referred pain from the kidneys, pancreas, liver, aorta, and female reproductive organs presents with distinct characteristics that differentiate it from standard musculoskeletal issues. Paying close attention to the location, type, and accompanying symptoms can help you determine the potential cause. Consulting a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis is the most prudent step, especially if you experience any of the serious warning signs. Early detection and treatment of the underlying organ problem are vital for your overall health and well-being. For more information on general back pain, consult reputable sources like the Mayo Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kidney-related back pain is typically a deeper, more constant ache located higher on the back, just under the ribcage or in the flank area. Unlike muscle pain, it doesn't usually change with movement. It is often accompanied by symptoms like fever, nausea, or changes in urination.

Yes, pancreatitis often causes abdominal pain that radiates to the middle or upper back. This pain may be worse after eating, especially fatty foods, and can be intensified by lying flat. Leaning forward may provide some relief.

Seek immediate medical attention if your back pain is sudden and severe, accompanied by fever, weakness or numbness in your legs, issues with bowel or bladder control, or a pulsating sensation in your abdomen.

Yes, back pain can be a symptom of a heart attack, particularly in women. This pain is often felt in the upper back and may be accompanied by chest pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, or dizziness. It is referred pain, caused by shared nerve pathways.

Back pain from gynecological issues often has specific timing or accompanying symptoms. Endometriosis may cause cyclical back pain related to the menstrual cycle, while fibroids or ovarian cysts might create a feeling of pressure or a dull ache in the lower back and pelvis. A doctor can help determine the exact cause.

Yes, certain digestive problems can cause referred back pain. For example, inflammation of the gallbladder or liver can cause pain that radiates to the upper right side of the back. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can also cause back pain alongside abdominal cramps.

Muscle strain pain is typically localized, may worsen with specific movements, and often improves with rest and time. In contrast, organ-related pain can be deeper, more constant, and accompanied by other systemic symptoms like fever, nausea, or changes in urinary habits.