Kidney Pain Location: Where are your kidneys and why do they hurt?

Kidney pain can be very a confusing symptom to experience. This is because it can be felt in several surprisingly different parts of the body, including the sides, back, abdomen and groin. There are also several underlying causes of kidney pain, which can make diagnosis challenging. It is quite common for people to mistake kidney pain for back ache. This means that people may not seek the diagnosis and treatment they need. 

To make sure you don’t have to live in chronic pain or worry about the cause of pains that you might be experiencing, read our advice on kidney pain location, and learn about the potential causes, symptoms and treatments available.  

Your kidney pain can have several causes, but some of the most common stem from the bladder and ureters, which are connected to the kidneys, and help transport urine out of the body.  

Various issues with the urinary tract or bladder can lead to pain and discomfort for the kidneys, as well as several others causes including: 

• Kidney infection 

• Kidney stones 

• Urethral stricture 

• Urinary retention 

• Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) 

• Kidney (renal) Cancer 

• Trauma/Injury 

• Ureteropelvic junction obstruction 

Pain in the kidney area can feel quite different depending on the underlying cause. Some of the most common include: 

• Sharp pains that may come in waves 

• A dull ache in your back 

• Pain in the abdomen, sides and beneath the ribcage 

• Pain leading to vomiting and nausea (particularly if the underlying cause is kidney stones) 

Many people mistake kidney pain for back pain. This may be because people don’t understand where the kidneys are located, or don’t expect kidney pain symptoms to be felt as a pain in the back. 

You should always see your GP if you are experiencing unexplained aches and pains. There are ways you can differentiate back pain and kidney pain to help with diagnosis. 

If you are suffering from general back ache or spinal issues, this kind of pain will often be felt in the middle and lower areas of the back and can also radiate down into the legs. 

In contrast, kidney pain symptoms are mostly felt higher up on the back and will feel like it comes from deeper within your body. 

It is also very common for kidney pain to be felt beneath the ribcage on either side of the spine. It can also be felt as a radiating pain in the groin and abdomen, near the stomach. Sometimes people can also mistake kidney pain for hip pain, but hip pain is mostly felt in the lower parts of the back and pelvis. 

Depending on the underlying cause, you may experience other symptoms that indicate an issue with one or both of your kidneys. If you’re experiencing one or more of the following symptoms in addition to pain, then this is a ‘red flag’ and you should see your GP straight away: 

• Blood in your urine 

• Pain when you pass urine 

• Fever / raised temperature  

• Aches or chills 

• Feeling sick or being sick 

Diagnosis will typically focus on understanding the underlying cause of your pain. Understanding kidney pain location and being able to explain this clearly to your doctor can help them to make a more accurate diagnosis. The first thing that the doctor will do is to ask a series of questions to understand more about when the pain began, whether something specifically triggered it, when it’s worse or better, and whether the pain has changed position at all. Some of the questions asked might seem like they’re not appropriate, but they’re there to try to rule out other causes of your symptoms. 

There are also tests your doctor may perform, such as: 

• Urinalysis: this tests your urine for blood, white blood cells and certain proteins/molecules that may indicate kidney disease or disorder. 

• Imaging: Tests such as ultrasound or CT scans may also be used by doctors to assess the kidneys and urinary tract, and check urine flow/locate kidney stones. 

Much like diagnosis, your treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. If your doctor believes you are suffering from a kidney infection, then you may be prescribed with antibiotics. If it is determined that you have kidney stones, then you may need to have them removed.  

If you need relief, you can also try: 

• Using heat packs or a hot water bottle. Heat can help minimise the sensation of pain for a time, helping provide some relief. 

• Take pain killers. Over the counter painkillers may also provide you with relief from kidney pain. Paracetamol is usually better than ibuprofen or aspirin, which can sometimes make kidney issues worse over time. 

It may not always be possible to prevent kidney pain as there are so many potential causes, and not all of them are preventable.  

There are steps you can take to promote healthy kidneys however, such as: 

• Staying hydrated – Most people need 2-3 litres of water per day. 

• Reducing salt intake – using low salt alternatives instead 

• Avoiding alcohol 

• Avoiding caffeinated drinks 

If you’re suffering health issues affecting the urinary tract, we have a range of products that could help make you more comfortable. Try our TENA Discreet Pants designed for women to lock in leakage, or our Men’s Premium Fit Protective Underwear to give you maximum comfort and confidence. 

Learn more about urinary incontinence and how to deal with it, and get more information about the link between back pain and incontinence.  

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