Back Pain which is caused by the muscle, which is common in young people, will commonly start after performing some physical activity, and you may feel a sharp pain across the back. The symptoms of older people with arthritis causing their back pain is usually pain that starts with prolonged standing or walking, it is usually more gradual in onset and can come and go. Dr. ALexander Lee, from the Spine Center at Beth Israel Med. Ctr., discusses the symptom of back pain.