# Why are my occasional backaches always in the same place? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-occasional-backaches-always-in-the-same-place/243684 "2004-05-05T18:47:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-occasional-backaches-always-in-the-same-place/243684/1 "2004-05-05T18:47:05Z")
I’m not seeking medical advice, first of all. I’m just wondering why when I, thankfully infrequently, get lower back pain, it’s always in the same place: lower right hand side of my back. Been that way ever since I was a kid. Is that most likely caused by something as simple as that I hurt myself there once as a kid and so that area just tends to be the first to go. Or is this just a side effect of my 38 years of bad posture? (And I’m 38). ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-occasional-backaches-always-in-the-same-place/243684/2 "2004-05-05T18:53:45Z")
> [@BobT](#): > > I’m not seeking medical advice, first of all. > > I’m just wondering why when I, thankfully infrequently, get lower back pain, it’s always in the same place: lower right hand side of my back. Because if it was in your knee, it would be a knee ache! BUT SERIOUSLY FOLKS! > [@](#): > > Been that way ever since I was a kid. Is that most likely caused by something as simple as that I hurt myself there once as a kid and so that area just tends to be the first to go. > > Or is this just a side effect of my 38 years of bad posture? (And I’m 38). I was born with very very slight scoliosis which gave me perpetual back pain throughout my youth and adulthood. Just so happens that as an adult I also INJURED my already weak back (When’d ya get it? Bout a week back) by slipping on the ice. I have two herniated discs, and have had them for almost five years. And my back pain is always in the same place, lower left side right above the hip. Seems like it may be worth your while to throw an MRI on there and see what’s shakin’. Even a tiny 5 degree curvature of the spine can cause a shitload of pain. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-occasional-backaches-always-in-the-same-place/243684/3 "2004-05-05T19:19:35Z")
I have impressive congenital scoliosis, and while I often have various aching spots, there is one particular muscle that cramps if I’m on my feet too long. There is another that tends to cramp up when I first lie down as well. Maybe you have a screwy muscle that tightens up on you occasionally? ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-occasional-backaches-always-in-the-same-place/243684/4 "2004-05-05T19:23:20Z")
Thanks. Fortunately, this doesn’t hurt much. It feels like a muscle ache. It must have an inherent weakness. But if you ever saw my posture you would wonder how I can still walk upright. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-my-occasional-backaches-always-in-the-same-place/243684/5 "2004-05-05T19:34:48Z")
> [@BobT](#): > > Thanks. Fortunately, this doesn’t hurt much. > > It feels like a muscle ache. It must have an inherent weakness. But if you ever saw my posture you would wonder how I can still walk upright. ☹ Don’t be so sure it’s a muscle ache. And if it isn’t, sometimes ICE works better than a heating pack.