What could be the reasons for experiencing discomfort on the left side of the body?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

One-sided body discomfort can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from musculoskeletal issues to problems with internal organs. Common causes include:

Spine or nerve issues, such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or sciatica
Muscle strain or injury affecting one side of the back, hip, or torso
Colon-related conditions, like diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome
Kidney problems, including kidney stones or infections
Inflammation of surrounding tissues, nerves, or organs on the affected side

Because the potential causes vary widely — from minor strains to conditions that need prompt medical attention — pinpointing the source of your discomfort is an important first step. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your symptoms and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that's home care, seeing a primary care doctor, or getting urgent evaluation.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

There are several possible reasons why you might feel discomfort on one side of your body. One common cause is chronic spinal pain, where differences in how the brain senses pain can sometimes make one side feel more tender than the other. This pain might be worsened by muscle strain or injury in that area.

Another possibility is flank pain, which is discomfort on the side of your body near the back. This could be due to problems with your kidneys or muscles in that region. When the discomfort is in the abdomen, doctors might look at conditions like primary epiploic appendagitis or colonic diverticulitis. These are problems with small pieces of fat or the intestines that can cause one-sided pain.

Sometimes, even stress or posture can make pain feel stronger on one side. Because the causes are so varied, it is important to identify what might be causing your symptoms. You can start by taking a free symptom checker assessment to help narrow down potential causes based on your specific symptoms, and then follow up with a healthcare provider who can do a physical exam and run tests to determine the exact reason for your discomfort and decide on the best treatment.

(References)

Wasan AD, Anderson NK, Giddon DB. Differences in pain, psychological symptoms, and gender distribution among patients with left- vs right-sided chronic spinal pain. Pain Med. 2010 Sep;11(9):1373-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2010.00922.x. Epub 2010 Jul 27. PMID: 20667025; PMCID: PMC2972385.
Bueschen AJ. Flank Pain. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 182.
Hwang JA, Kim SM, Song HJ, Lee YM, Moon KM, Moon CG, Koo HS, Song KH, Kim YS, Lee TH, Huh KC, Choi YW, Kang YW, Chung WS. Differential diagnosis of left-sided abdominal pain: primary epiploic appendagitis vs colonic diverticulitis. World J Gastroenterol. 2013 Oct 28;19(40):6842-8. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i40.6842. PMID: 24187459; PMCID: PMC3812483.

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