Severe lower back pain sometimes masks other disorders of the intra-abdominal area. For example, kidney pain may cause severe lower back pain. The surface of the back around the kidneys will feel tender and sore to the touch and the patient will have other symptoms such as pain while urinating, fever and chills and even blood in the urine. “Kidney Punch” is the severe pain that is caused by accident or injury to the kidney. Severe lower back pain can also result from back ailments, accidents and injuries. Severe lower back pain in young people is usually caused by sports injuries and “horsing around”.

Severe lower back pain may also indicate damage or degeneration of the musculoskeletal system. This includes fractures due to osteoporosis. Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, degeneration of the discs, or herniated discs and slipped disc conditions and sciatica also cause severe back pain. Surgery is recommended if the back problem becomes progressively worse causing weakness in the legs, incontinence of the bladder or bowels and even immobilization.

Severe upper back pain can be the result of muscular irritation or dysfunction of the joints due to injury or accident. Whiplash is an example of an accident injury. Another cause could be a herniated disc in the upper back region. Spondylitis occurs due to pressure of one of the ribs on a nerve. Along with severe pain, the sufferer will experience tingling and numbness radiating into the arms and traveling down to the fingers. Treatment options include traction of the neck. Deteriorating conditions may require surgery. Spinal problems in the lower back may cause severe pain in the upper back.

Cardiac pains sometimes manifest as severe upper back pain. Cardiac pain may radiate from the front to the back and also to the left shoulder and down the left arm. The pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, choking and cold sweats.

Severe upper back pain could indicate pulmonary problems. These include aneurysms, tuberculosis, pneumonia and other lung conditions. Ailments of other organs in the thoriac cavity like the gall bladder, liver, pancreas and appendix can cause severe upper back pain.

Posterior pelvic pain during pregnancy can sometimes be quite severe. It may occur on the right, the left or on both sides simultaneously and in the thighs and upper legs. Morning stiffness is a side effect of this pain. The pain does not ease with rest. Posterior pelvic pregnancy pain is usually caused by overexertion resulting from stair climbing, lifting eavy objects, rolling in bed, lifting, twisting, bending walking or running.

Severe back pain along with pregnancy symptoms may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Symptoms include lower abdominal pain and brownish vaginal discharge.

Severe back pain during pregnancy could indicate a miscarriage. However, miscarriages will be accompanied by one or more other symptoms, like heavy bleeding, nausea and vomiting, and also stomach cramps. Severe pain due to back labor is symptomatic of a difficult delivery due to the baby being face up.