You can develop lower back and hip pain due to a pinched nerve or a muscle strain. It may also result from an underlying health condition such as arthritis, a herniated disk, or a joint issue.

Lower back pain is a common experience. According to a 2023 research review, up to 80% of the global population may experience lower back pain at some point in life. The pain can range in intensity from a dull ache to sharp sensations that affect your mobility and quality of life.

Back pain can easily be mistaken for hip pain and discomfort.

The joint of your hip is located near your spine. This means that injuries to your hip can resemble or actually cause back pain. In addition to pain in your hip and lower back, a hip injury may cause:

Here are five possible causes of lower back and hip pain.

Acute back pain is often the result of muscle sprains or strains.

Sprains occur when your ligaments are overstretched and sometimes torn, while strains are caused by stretching — and possible tearing — of your tendons or muscles. Though the immediate reaction is pain in your back, you might also experience dull aches or discomfort in your hip.

Treatment for sprains and strains typically involves resting and protecting the area from further injury. Applying heat or ice to the area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours may also help reduce swelling.

In more severe cases, physical therapy may be necessary. If your pain worsens, you may want to consult a doctor to get proper treatment and to ensure that your pain isn’t due to a more serious injury.

A pinched nerve is an uncomfortable condition that may cause shooting pain, tingling, and discomfort, particularly if it occurs in your back, spine, or hip.

A nerve can become pinched if the surrounding bones, muscles, or tissues apply too much pressure to the nerve. The pressure interrupts proper nerve function, causing pain, numbness, and weakness.

Pinched nerves can result from:

  • obesity, which puts strain on joints in the spine
  • repetitive movements, which can lead to inflammation that can pinch nerves
  • arthritis, which can put pressure on nerves
  • sports injuries, which can place pressure on joints

Pain from this condition usually lasts a short time. Once treated, a pinched nerve typically does not lead to permanent damage. However, if there’s persistent pressure on a nerve, you may experience chronic pain and have an increased risk of permanent nerve damage.

Treatment for a pinched nerve most commonly involves rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

In more severe cases, pinched or damaged nerves may require physical therapy to increase your mobility and strength. Surgery may also be necessary in some severe cases.

For short-term relief, a doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to reduce pain.

Arthritis (inflammation of one or more joints) is a common cause of back and hip pain. You might also feel pain in the front of your thigh and your groin area. Arthritis is often a result of aging and gradual wear and tear on your body.

Common symptoms of arthritis include:

Treatment for arthritis focuses on relieving symptoms and improving mobility. A doctor may recommend:

  • anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers to help reduce symptoms
  • disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to slow or stop your immune system from attacking your joints
  • physical therapy to strengthen your joints and increase your range of motion

Also called a ruptured or slipped disk, a herniated disk occurs when the jelly-like material inside one of your spinal disks is pushed out through the harder exterior of the disk. This can irritate nearby nerves, often causing pain (particularly lower back pain) and numbness.

In addition to back pain, you may experience symptoms such as:

To treat a herniated disk, a doctor may recommend NSAIDs or a corticosteroid injection along with physical therapy to reduce pain levels.

If your symptoms worsen and other treatment methods are not helping to reduce them, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Your sacroiliac joint (SI joint) connects your hip bones to your sacrum, the triangular bone between your lumbar spine and your tailbone. This joint is meant to absorb shock between your upper body, pelvis, and legs.

Strain or injury to your SI joint can cause radiating pain in your hip, back, and groin area.

Treatment focuses on reducing pain and restoring healthy motion to your SI joint. A doctor may recommend:

In more severe cases, a doctor may recommend surgery.

Back and hip pain are common experiences. But in some cases, pain in these areas can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. If your pain worsens or occurs along with other unusual symptoms, you should speak with a doctor.

They will take a closer look at your symptoms, rule out any underlying conditions, and identify the best treatment plan.