question: I have lower back pain that came on suddenly the other night while sleeping. My lower back hurts and is causing my oblique s to be very tight. I cannot take a deep breath (or even sniff); as my lungs are enlarging I suddenly have extreme pain, causing my lower back muscles and oblique s to tighten. I am in my early-mid 30 s, active, 6 and 190lb, last strenuous activity was 6 days prior. However, the day before when I woke up my lower back hurt and was stiff (felt like I had been hit in the lower back) but there was no pain. I cannot find a position where the pain subsides, it did lessen considerably (and I could breathe easier) when taking a hot shower. Tonight I was painting a room and noticed pain had subsided, but came back soon after stopping. I do not see/palpate anything abnormal.