Muscle aches and back pain occur when your muscles are injured or overworked. Lifting heavy objects, playing sports or even moving the wrong way can cause these kinds of injuries. The pain itself usually arises from muscle spasm, a natural reaction that helps protect injured body parts by limiting their movement.

Aching muscles in the lower back are particularly common because the muscles and ligaments in this area, along with the five lumbar vertebrae (lower spine bones), take the strain when you stand, lift or walk. Although back pain can be an indicator for more serious medical conditions, this is seldom the case. Only about 10% of back discomfort is caused by a specific illness.