Lower back pain: how to differentiate common causes and when it could be related to the kidneys

How does kidney pain manifest itself?

Pain associated with the kidneys is usually felt in the lower back, but it is not the same as typical contracture pain. Generally:

  • It is located deeper and on the sides of the spine
  • It can feel like internal pressure
  • Does not improve with changes in posture
  • It is sometimes accompanied by burning when urinating, changes in urine color, or swelling

When these symptoms appear together, the body could be signaling that the kidneys are struggling to properly filter toxins.

Why drinking water alone isn’t always enough

There is a belief that the more water you drink, the better your kidneys work. However, kidney filtration depends not only on the volume of fluid, but also on its composition.

This is where a key substance comes into play: citrate.

Citrate helps prevent minerals such as calcium from clumping together to form crystals that can turn into stones. Without enough citrate, even good hydration can be insufficient to protect the kidneys.

Citrate-rich foods such as lemon, lime, and other citrus fruits can help create an environment less prone to stone formation.