Brief Answer:
Very likely you are having muscular back pain- details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query.

The pain you are explaining is very likely due to muscles, especially because it started on one side and now you feel it on the other side as well.

Kidneys may cause pain in the same area but generally, kidney pain is only on one side and does not affect both sides at the same time. Kidney pain is also associated with urinary symptoms such as blood in the urine, frequent urination, pain with urination, etc.

To conclude:
- the pain you explain is typical of pain due to muscles. Also, discs between the vertebra may cause similar pain, when they prolapse at the sides, and are treated similarly to muscular pain
- you may take ibuprofen 600-800 mg every 6 hours after food to help with the pain and inflammation
- you may use local warm compresses 20 minutes a few times a day. Some patients feel better with cold compresses so if warm compresses do not help try cold compresses
- avoid bending your back, use the knees when you need to get something from the ground. Avoid lifting weights or pulling or pushing heavy objects.
- you should try to be active as usual (just avoid sportive activities), rest is not good for back pain
- if the pain is severe and really bothersome a physiotherapist would be of great help
- if you develop any urinary symptoms (blood in urine, frequent or painful urination, etc) you will need a urinalysis
- if you get numbness in the legs, this may be due to a nerve being pinched from a prolapsed disc. The treatment, in this case, is the same as in muscular pain but a visit with the doctor is needed if: you get numbness in the private areas or problem controlling urine or bowel movements.


I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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