What Renal Colic Feels Like (And How to Get Relief)

Renal colic is one of the most painful and recognizable symptoms of kidney stones. In this blog, I break down what renal colic really is, what causes the intense pain, and what happens inside your body when a kidney stone starts to move. I’ll also compare three different treatment approaches—including one natural option that changed everything for me.

Key Takeaways:

• Renal colic is the intense pain caused by kidney stone obstruction in the urinary tract.

• Pain comes in waves, often radiating from the back to the groin.

• It’s caused by swelling, inflammation, and ureter contractions.

• Effective treatment must target inflammation and pain while supporting stone passage.

Let’s start with the basics. Renal colic is the pain that comes from an obstruction in the urinary tract—most often, a kidney stone.

If you’ve had a kidney stone before, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. But if this is your first time, it’s important to understand what to look for.

The pain doesn’t build gradually. It’s sudden and intense. It comes on strong, often without warning, and then fades away—only to slam you again minutes or hours later.

This wave-like pain is one of the most recognizable signs of renal colic.

Where Does the Pain Happen?

The pain typically starts in your mid-back, where your kidneys are located. But it doesn’t always stay there. As the stone moves, the pain can travel—or radiate—down toward your groin.

That’s because the urinary tract isn’t just one place—it’s a whole pathway. Anywhere that pathway gets blocked, pain can show up.

Other symptoms can include:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Sweating or pale appearance

• Pain or burning while urinating (dysuria)

• Urgency or frequent urination

• Blood in the urine

While these symptoms don’t guarantee it’s a stone, they’re strong clues that renal colic may be at play. 

What’s Happening Inside the Body During Renal Colic?

Here’s what really causes the pain.

Most stones start forming in the renal pelvis—the collection center of the kidney. From there, they can detach and begin to move down the ureter—the thin tube that connects the kidney to the bladder.

The moment that stone starts to drop into the ureter is often when renal colic begins.

Why? Because the stone blocks the flow of urine, and that creates pressure.

The kidney starts to swell, and that swelling puts intense pressure on the surrounding tissues and nerves. It’s not just the stone poking sensitive areas—it’s your entire kidney responding to an emergency situation.

The Pain Isn’t Just from the Stone

Yes, a sharp object scraping soft tissue hurts. But the majority of the pain actually comes from the inflammation and the body’s response to the blockage.

When your body senses the obstruction, it goes into overdrive. It tries to push the stone out using a series of muscular contractions.

This contraction-retraction process is powerful—but it’s also painful. The harder your body tries to move the stone, the more pain you feel.

And if that wasn’t enough, the body also releases a chemical called prostaglandin at the site of the obstruction. This increases inflammation, causes edema (swelling), and further blocks the stone’s movement.

That’s why you feel pain in waves as the stone slowly makes its way toward the bladder. Each new bout of pain means the body is contracting around the stone again—this is renal colic in action. 

The Chain Reaction: Obstruction → Inflammation → Pain

Here’s the short version:

• A stone blocks the flow of urine.

• The kidney swells.

• The body tries to push the stone out.

• Prostaglandins are released, increasing inflammation and swelling.

• The stone gets stuck, and pain continues in cycles.

So, how do you stop this cycle?

How to Treat Renal Colic

There are a few treatment options out there, and I’ve personally tried all of them. Here’s how they stack up when it comes to cost, pain relief, inflammation control, and side effects.

1. Opioids

If you’ve ever gone to the ER for a kidney stone, chances are you’ve been given an opioid.

They’re incredibly effective at blocking pain—but they come with major downsides.

They don’t reduce inflammation, they don’t help move the stone, and they carry a real risk of addiction and nasty side effects like nausea, constipation, and withdrawal symptoms.

Pros:

• Excellent pain relief

• Inexpensive with insurance

Cons:

• No impact on inflammation

• High risk of side effects and dependency

2. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or Advil are another common choice.

They’re affordable, easy to get, and they do help with both pain and inflammation.

But there’s a catch—long-term use of NSAIDs can be harmful to kidney function, especially for those of us already prone to stones.

Pros:

• Affordable and accessible

• Reduces inflammation and pain

Cons:

• Not as powerful as opioids

• Potential long-term damage to kidney health

3. Cleanse (My All-Natural Herbal Formula)

I created Cleanse specifically for people going through renal colic and kidney stones.

It’s made from organic, whole-food herbs designed to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote stone passage—all without the risks of pharmaceuticals.

Yes, it costs more than a bottle of ibuprofen. But what you get in return is powerful, drug-free relief without any negative side effects.

And it contains a natural diuretic, which increases urine flow and helps the stone move more easily without the body having to contract and cause pain.

Pros:

• Powerful natural pain relief (comparable to opioids)

• Controls inflammation

• No harmful side effects

• Supports stone passage with a natural diuretic

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost 

What We’ve Learned

Renal colic is brutal. But when you understand what’s causing the pain, you can take the right steps to support your body and get relief.

Key points to remember:

• The pain is from inflammation and obstruction, not just a sharp stone.

• You must reduce inflammation to control pain and help the stone pass.

• Opioids, NSAIDs, and natural remedies each have pros and cons.

• I’ve found that Cleanse provides strong pain relief without the risk.

If you’re dealing with renal colic right now, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to suffer through it helplessly.

I've been there. I know the pain. And I also know that the right support can make all the difference.

Let’s take back control—naturally.