Back Muscle Pain: Common Causes Explained

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A pulled back muscle can begin as a sudden, sharp pain when lifting or bending. The pain can also increase gradually, getting worse as the days go by. It’s a common injury, but there’s little comfort in that fact—especially if it stops you from doing the things you enjoy. 

If you’ve ever hoisted a squirming toddler or forgotten your form during a deadlift, I’ve got a feeling you know what it’s like to pull a back muscle. What we call a “pulled” muscle in the back actually refers to one of two different injuries: 

• A sprain (with a “P”) means the ligaments that hold bones together are torn or stretched. (1)
• A strain (with a “T”) means the muscles themselves are stretched or torn. (1)