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How can you tell the difference between muscle pain and kidney pain?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 11, 2026

Musculoskeletal back pain is usually felt around the lumbar region, it may pain while muscles are touched. However musculoskeletal back pain can be felt all through the back as well. Radiation of pain – Kidney pain may radiate to the inner thigh or lower abdomen.

How do you know if back pain is kidney or muscle?

Kidney pain is felt higher and deeper in your body than back pain. You may feel it in the upper half of your back, not the lower part. Unlike back discomfort, it's felt on one or both sides, usually under your rib cage. It's often constant.

Can kidney pain feel like muscle pain?

Kidney stones can cause a person to experience excruciating pain that feels like spasms. This pain may also spread to the groin. However, if kidney pain worsens when a person bends over or lifts something, it may be the result of back muscle or bone problems rather than an issue affecting the kidney.

What pain can be mistaken for kidney pain?

Kidney pain is felt in the sides or back. It is often mistaken for back pain. Kidney pain can be caused by kidney stones, urinary tract infection, kidney infection, an injury or kidney cancer.

Does kidney pain hurt with movement?

Type of pain

Kidney pain is usually sharp if you have a kidney stone and a dull ache if you have an infection. Most often it will be constant. It won't get worse with movement or go away by itself without treatment. If you're passing a kidney stone, the pain may fluctuate as the stone moves.

33 related questions found

Is kidney pain tender to touch?

Kidney pain typically feels like a constant dull ache deep in your right or left flank, or both flanks, that often gets worse when someone gently hits the area. Most conditions usually affect only one kidney, so you typically feel pain on only one side of your back.

Where does your back hurt with a kidney infection?

The pain of kidney infection may be felt on the sides (flanks) and the back. Unlike the classical back pain due to muscle or bone involvement, which typically affects the lower back, kidney pain is felt higher up and at a greater depth.

Can kidney pain feel like backache?

Kidney pain occurs below the rib cage on either side of a person's spine. It can also feel as though the pain is coming from deep within the body. People may experience pain on one or both sides of the body depending on whether a condition affects only one kidney or both kidneys.

How do you know if something is wrong with your kidneys?

You may get tired easily and have difficulty concentrating. A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood. It also causes a reduction in red blood cells. This can cause people to feel tired and weak and can make it hard to concentrate.

What are the first signs of kidney problems?

Signs of Kidney Disease

  • You're more tired, have less energy or are having trouble concentrating. ...
  • You're having trouble sleeping. ...
  • You have dry and itchy skin. ...
  • You feel the need to urinate more often. ...
  • You see blood in your urine. ...
  • Your urine is foamy. ...
  • You're experiencing persistent puffiness around your eyes.

How do you know if its muscle pain?

Your muscles may feel a dull ache, tight, and achy feeling when you try to use them. This may also be present at rest but is more common when you try to use them. Pain causes an ache or sharp pain at rest or pain when exercising. May be more constant than muscle soreness.

How can I check my kidneys at home?

One of the best ways to test for CKD and assess kidney damage is a simple urine test which detects the presence of albumin. The smartphone app from Healthy.io enables lay users to conduct a urinalysis test at home and securely share results with their clinicians.

Does kidney pain come go?

The pain can be sharp or a dull ache, and it may come and go. It's usually worse on one side, but it can occur on both flanks. Problems in the kidney (such as an infection or a kidney stone) are common causes of flank pain.

What if your left kidney hurts?

See your doctor if your left kidney pain is severe or doesn't go away. Seek medical attention if have any other symptoms. Warning signs of a kidney condition include: fever.

What is the best thing to drink for your kidneys?

Water. Water is the best thing to drink for kidney health because it gives your kidneys the fluids they need to function well, without sugar, caffeine, or other additives that do not benefit your kidneys. Drink four to six glasses of water every day for optimal kidney health.

How long can kidney pain last?

Pain can last as little as 20 minutes or as long as an hour (or more). If the pain does not abate, go to the emergency room. Nausea and vomiting – If the pain is so severe that it is causes nausea and/or vomiting, the patient should go to an emergency room as soon as possible.

When should I see a doctor for kidney pain?

Fever and urinary symptoms often accompany kidney pain. Call your doctor for a same-day appointment if: You have constant, dull, one-sided pain in your back or side. You have fever, body aches and fatigue.

Where is flank pain?

Flank pain is pain in one side of the body between the upper belly area (abdomen) and the back. There are three body views (front, back, and side) that can help you to identify a specific body area.

Will kidney infection go away on its own?

Kidney infections can lead to serious complications if untreated so it is important to see a doctor and not wait to see if the infection goes away on its own. Treatment for kidney infections depends on the severity of the infection and the patient's overall health.

How do I know if my back pain is serious?

8 Signs That it's Time to Call a Doctor for Your Back Pain

  1. You've Been in Pain for Over a Week. ...
  2. Your Pain Extends to Other Body Parts. ...
  3. You Have Numbness, Tingling or Weakness. ...
  4. You Have Pain After an Accident. ...
  5. Your Pain is Worse at Certain Times or in Certain Positions. ...
  6. You're Having Problems with Your Bowels or Urination.

What are the symptoms of a kidney infection in a woman?

Symptoms

  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Back, side (flank) or groin pain.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Strong, persistent urge to urinate.
  • Burning sensation or pain when urinating.
  • Nausea and vomiting.

Can kidneys heal?

If there aren't any other problems, the kidneys may heal themselves. In most other cases, acute kidney failure can be treated if it's caught early. It may involve changes to your diet, the use of medications, or even dialysis.

When should I be worried about muscle pain?

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following after a workout or activity that causes muscle soreness: Severe unbearable pain. Severely swollen limbs. Loss of joint range of motion due to severe swelling.

What kind of muscle pain does coronavirus cause?

As you're recovering from COVID-19, you might have joint or muscle pain. Staying in bed for more than a couple of days ca​n lead to stiff joints and muscle weakness. They may ache, burn, or feel tired, stiff, or sore.

Why would muscles hurt for no reason?

The most common causes of muscle pain are tension, stress, overuse and minor injuries. This type of pain is usually localized, affecting just a few muscles or a small part of your body.