• Automotive mechanics can suffer from lower back, shoulder and even neck painat auto workshop image by Dmitry Goygel-Sokol from Fotolia.com
  
  Like any trade that requires constant physical work, auto mechanics often suffer from muscle strain. Muscle strain can cause annoying pain that affects muscles in the back, shoulders, neck, legs, and even the hands and feet. Common causes of muscle strain are various repetitive stress injuries, a result of performing the same tasks over and over again.
  
  

Lower Back Strain

• An auto mechanic may spend many hours hunched over the hood of a car, assuming awkward positions while he diagnoses and repairs the problem. Consequently, it is not uncommon for auto mechanics to suffer from occasional or even chronic back strain. Muscle pain in the lower back is particularly common among Americans in general, including auto mechanics, according to eMedicineHealth.com. Most lower back pain can be treated with a combination of rest and anti-inflammatory medication.
  
  

Neck Strain

• With so much time spent under the hood of a car, it is not uncommon for an auto mechanic to suffer from occasional neck strain. This is usually the result of constant extension or stretching of the neck muscles. Neck strain can sometimes cause headaches as well since muscles in the neck are attached to the skull.
  
  

Shoulder Strain

• Auto mechanics can also suffer from shoulder or deltoid muscle strain. Shoulder strain often occurs when workers hold one position too long--either extended or over their head, according to the experts at Shoulder-Pain-Management.com. Auto mechanics must also assume awkward positions at times, which can also cause shoulder strain. Certain stretching exercises can help relieve tight shoulder muscles, as can ice and heat.
  
  

Forearm Strain

• Auto mechanics can also strain the muscles in their forearms because they are constantly holding and squeezing various tools, then twisting and turning them while making the proper adjustments during car repairs. Sometimes, auto mechanics that work in cold conditions, during the winter months, may be prone to forearm muscle pain. Forearm muscle strains can also affect muscles in the wrist and hands.
  
  

Leg Muscle Strain

• Auto mechanics are on their feet most of the day. Therefore, it is not uncommon for these workers to have occasional leg muscle strain. Leg muscle strain can occur in the back of the thigh (hamstring), front of the thigh (quadriceps) and even in the lower thigh (calf muscle). It all depends on how the auto mechanic positions himself while working. Support braces can sometimes be used to alleviate leg muscle strain by taking some pressure off the muscles.