Muscle Strain what exactly is going on?

[SteveL]

Last night was my squat workout and it was for 5 heavy singles as I’m following the BBP heavy light program. During the second set which was a record lift for me (light for many of you) I rocked forward on the way up and felt my lower back to lower mid back strain. It’s not debilitating but I can definitely feel it sitting here typing this. This weekend I’ll still try for my light squats as often this will actually make it feel better. But my question is what is actually going on in my back? Did the muscles get overloaded and now I have a bunch of micro tears across my whole lower back? I’m just curious what physiologically is actually going on.

[Taylor Grayson]

Seems like there are three possible sources of muscular pain:

1) muscle strain/tear
2) trigger points
3) cramps

Some lower back pain of mine responds well to stretching. I stand on a box, holding a dumbbell in my hands, and bend forward as far as I can go.