Back Pain: Why Does It Shift From One Side to the Other?

Back Pain: Why Does It Shift From One Side to the Other?

Most people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. For the majority of people, the pain is temporary and goes away on its own. However, for some people, the back pain shifts from one side to the other. This can be a very concerning and frustrating problem. In this blog, we will explore the two most common reasons that causes back pain to shift from one side to the other.

It is very common to have a one sided pain in your back and after a few days the other side of the back also starts to ache or become painful. This happens because of the way our bodies are designed. Back muscles are antigravity muscles, ie they are working all the time to keep your body erect and upright when you are out and about. The muscles on both sides of your back are meant to work together to do so. But when one side is painful and the muscles on that side go into spasm. The muscles on the unaffected side of the back then have to work harder to keep your body upright. This can carry on for a few days until the unaffected side muscles also start to feel tired and fatigued. Then you feel that pain on the unaffected side too. You may translate this to the pain shifting to the unaffected side.

It may also happen that if your back pain was a result of injury or strain that both sides of the back were affected but as one side of the back was more affected all your focus was on that side, ignoring the less affected side. Once the more affected side settles down the brain starts to pay attention to the less affected side and starts to register that the pain is present there. Your brain may translate this as pain shifting from one side to the other.

These are the two most common reasons why your back pain seems to be shifting from one side to the other. There can be other reasons as well but it is important to pay attention to the pattern of your pain and any other accompanying symptoms. If you are experiencing back pain and want to learn some self management strategies to manage it feel free to join my free community.

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1 Comment

Gail Bellwoar 12/28/2024 09:25 AM Central

I often have back pain because of pulled muscles. Would like to have info on how to treat it. Thank you

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MEET SWATI

Hi there!

I am Swati, an Executive Mum Power Coach & Certified Posture Expert

I help mums of young kids working in high-stress executive jobs manage back, neck, and nerve pain, even with low energy, brain fog, and little time to spare. My proven system delivers real relief without stealing hours from your already packed day. The result? More productive professionals at work and guilt-free mums who can be fully present with their kids, instead of being sidelined by pain.

My passion comes from personal experience. I’ve been where you are: in pain, overwhelmed, and exhausted. After two pregnancies in three years, juggling my kids, housework, and a demanding job, I was stuck in a constant cycle of back and nerve pain. The physical load of motherhood added strain to my spine and joints. Meanwhile, adrenal fatigue left me drained, even after 10–12 hours of sleep.

Everyday tasks became a struggle. I was forgetful, foggy, and low on energy. Even as a trained physiotherapist and posture expert, I couldn’t escape my own pain. I stood all day at work, spent evenings on the laptop, rocked my kids to sleep, sat through endless meetings, traveled frequently ... I’ve been through it all.

I kept my pain hidden at work, afraid to speak up. I felt like a fraud, someone who coached others on relief strategies but couldn’t find relief herself. I loved my job and my children, but I couldn’t give 100% to either. Pain was holding me back.

One New Year, I made a resolution: to get healthy, not just fix pain, fatigue, or weight. I focused on reducing inflammation, healing my adrenal fatigue, and reclaiming my energy. Slowly but surely, the pain faded. I lost weight, my brain fog cleared, and my energy skyrocketed. Today, my pain is nearly gone. I feel stronger, clearer, and more in control than I have in years.

And now, I want that for you.

I combine professional expertise with lived experience to support other mums like me, those with young kids, high-stress jobs, and no time for complicated health programs. I’ve helped hundreds of women reduce spinal and joint pain, lift their energy, and clear the mental fog that holds them back.

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. I got you, mommy!

Let’s get you feeling strong, confident, and fully present at work and at home.

Are you ready to start? Curious about how this works? Just ask.

Let's DO THIS!

xx Swati

** Executive Mum Power Coach **