Mechanical pain is the general term that refers to any type of back pain caused by placing abnormal stress and strain on muscles of the vertebral column. Typically, mechanical pain results from bad habits, such as poor posture, poorly-designed seating, and incorrect bending and lifting motions.
The habits can be autonomously corrected by maintaining proper posture, adapting proper lifting and bending techniques, as well as the use of ergonomic chairs to alleviate back pain. If the pain persists, the pain may not be due to mechanical pain, indicating a more serious underlying back problem.