Skip to main content

We make finding a doctor in the UAE free, transparent, and easy.

Zavis

What should you know about upper flank pain?

Where Flank Pain is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline
Illustration: Where Flank Pain is typically felt, shown on a simplified body outline

Short answer

Upper flank pain can arise from muscle strain, kidney problems, or urinary conditions, so accompanying symptoms guide urgency.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Location
Between the ribs and hip, often toward the back
Useful clues
Fever, urine changes, vomiting, movement-related tenderness, or pain travelling
Urgent signs
Severe pain, fever with chills, inability to pass urine, or feeling faint

The short answer

Upper flank pain can arise from muscle strain, kidney problems, or urinary conditions, so accompanying symptoms guide urgency. Flank pain is felt between the ribs and hip on one side, often toward the back; it may be aching, sharp, cramping, or tender to touch.

What the pain may mean

A pulled back or side muscle may hurt more when you twist, lift, cough, or press the area. Kidney stones can cause intense pain that comes in waves and may move toward the groin, sometimes with nausea or blood in the urine. A kidney infection may cause flank pain with fever, chills, feeling ill, or painful urination.

A urinary tract infection can cause burning, urgency, or frequent urination and may spread upward if untreated. The side of the pain does not identify the diagnosis alone. A clinician may ask about urine changes, bowel symptoms, injuries, medicines, pregnancy possibility, and previous stones.

What to do

Rest from lifting and note whether movement changes the pain. Drink normally unless a clinician has told you to restrict fluids; do not force large amounts of water to flush suspected stones. Keep track of fever, urine colour, urinary frequency, vomiting, and whether pain travels.

Arrange medical advice for pain that persists, returns, or comes with urinary symptoms. A urine test and examination may help distinguish a muscle problem from a kidney infection, kidney stone, or urinary tract infection. Use only pain medicine that is safe for you and follow the label.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening flank pain, fever with shaking chills, repeated vomiting, confusion, faintness, inability to pass urine, or visible blood in the urine. Get prompt help if you have one working kidney, are pregnant, or feel seriously unwell. These features can signal a blocked or infected urinary system.

Questions for your doctor

Could this pain be muscular, urinary, or kidney-related? Do I need a urine test or imaging? What changes in urine or temperature should I monitor? Which pain medicines are suitable with my health conditions and current medicines?

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Can a muscle strain cause upper flank pain?

Yes. Muscle-related flank pain often changes with movement, lifting, coughing, or pressure on the area, but persistent pain still needs assessment.

Does flank pain always come from the kidneys?

No. Muscles and urinary structures can cause flank pain, and symptoms such as fever or urine changes help guide evaluation.

Related

Related reading

Keep reading

More on this

Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.