Accurately identifying the cause of low-back pain remains an obstacle to its treatment. Muscle strains are often used as a blanket diagnosis without fully evaluating the problem. There are other possible causes of low-back pain; for example, spinal stenosis (narrowing or constriction), herniated intervertebral discs, myofascial trigger points, spondylolysis, and structural, functional or psychogenic problems. It is increasingly clear that most back-pain problems are multidimensional, involving anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, as well as important psychosocial factors. However, the muscle strain is a more clear-cut problem.

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