My lower back started hurting terribly after my run this morning how do I know if it is a strain and what stretches fix it
Fan-out diagram
Seed → topic clusters → sub-queries, per model.
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 1 of 2 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence. 32 queries are still being classified.
What the models actually searched
Each model answered the query with its own web search. These are the searches it ran, matched to the closest simulated query.
- Back pain · nhs.uk
- Low back pain · medlineplus.gov
- Taking care of your back at home: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia · medlineplus.gov
Semantic map
Every query placed by meaning (EmbeddingGemma 2, 256-d). Shaded regions are topics, nearby points are near-paraphrases, and a circle's size is how often the query came back.
Queries
| Query / type | Search | Intent | Query class | Routing format | Cluster | Freq ↓ | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
how to tell if lower back pain is a muscle strain REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants clear criteria to distinguish a simple muscular strain from other types of back injuries. | — | faq_page | identifying muscle strain symptoms | 2x of 3 | |
running form mistakes that cause lower back pain RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Identify postural or biomechanical errors during running that might have triggered the back pain. | — | web_article | running form and injury causes | 2x of 3 | |
how to tell if lower back pain is a muscle strain after running REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Understand the specific symptoms that distinguish a running-induced lower back muscle strain from other injuries. | — | web_article | identifying muscle strain symptoms | 1x of 3 | |
running lower back strain symptoms RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to find specific information about back strains caused explicitly by running. | — | faq_page | running form and injury causes | 1x of 3 | |
safe lower back stretches for running injury RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to find specific stretching exercises targeted at runner-related lower back discomfort. | — | how_to_steps | recovery and prevention routines | 1x of 3 | |
best gentle stretches for lower back strain runner RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find safe and effective stretching exercises to alleviate acute lower back tightness caused by running. | — | how_to_steps | gentle stretches and relief exercises | 1x of 3 | |
when is lower back pain after running serious IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user needs to know red flags or emergency symptoms that indicate a more severe injury than a simple strain. | — | checklist | red flags and medical emergencies | 1x of 3 | |
red flags for lower back pain when to see a doctor IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Determine if the terrible pain reported indicates a serious medical emergency rather than a simple strain. | — | faq_page | red flags and medical emergencies | 1x of 3 | |
when is lower back pain after running a medical emergency IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user needs to identify red flag symptoms that mean their back pain is more serious than a basic strain. | — | web_article | red flags and medical emergencies | 1x of 3 | |
muscle strain vs herniated disc lower back pain COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare symptoms of a muscle strain with those of a disc herniation to rule out disc issues. | — | comparison_table | strain versus herniated disc | 1x of 3 | |
muscle strain vs herniated disc lower back symptoms COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to compare strain symptoms against disc issues to figure out which one matches their running injury. | — | comparison_table | strain versus herniated disc | 1x of 3 | |
muscle strain vs herniated disc running lower back pain COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Compare symptoms of a simple lower back muscle strain against a disc injury resulting from running impact. | — | comparison_table | strain versus herniated disc | 1x of 3 | |
best gentle stretches for acute lower back pain relief ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants specific therapeutic stretching exercises targeted at relieving acute lower back pain safely. | — | how_to_steps | gentle stretches and relief exercises | 1x of 3 | |
running injuries lower back pain causes ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to understand the broader category of running-related lower back injuries and why they happen. | — | web_article | running form and injury causes | 1x of 3 | |
lumbar paraspinal muscle strain recovery time and treatment ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Learn about the specific anatomical muscle group involved and typical healing expectations. | — | glossary/definition | recovery time and healing | 1x of 3 | |
post run lower back tightness relief for athletes PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for recovery protocols specifically tailored to runners experiencing post-workout tightness. | — | web_article | recovery and prevention routines | 1x of 3 | |
best recovery routine for runner with acute back strain PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants a customized recovery protocol tailored specifically for someone who injured their back running. | — | checklist | recovery and prevention routines | 1x of 3 | |
runner with chronic lower back pain needs routine adjustment PERSONALIZED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Find advice tailored to runners experiencing recurring spinal discomfort after workouts. | — | forum/qna | running form and injury causes | 1x of 3 | |
lower back muscle strain recovery time and treatment REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know how long a lower back strain takes to heal and what standard home treatments apply. | — | web_article | recovery time and healing | 1x of 3 | |
lower back pain sharp vs dull ache after workout REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know what different types of pain sensations indicate regarding post-workout back injuries. | — | faq_page | red flags and medical emergencies | 1x of 3 | |
stretches to avoid with acute lower back injury RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know which stretches or movements could worsen a lower back strain. | — | faq_page | gentle stretches and relief exercises | 1x of 3 | |
gentle yoga poses to relieve lower back tension RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user is looking for alternative movement therapies or stretches to ease tight lower back muscles. | — | tutorial_video/transcript | gentle stretches and relief exercises | 1x of 3 | |
when to use ice or heat for acute lower back strain RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Determine the correct immediate cold or heat therapy for a newly acquired muscle injury. | — | faq_page | ice or heat treatment | 1x of 3 | |
lumbar strain physical therapy exercises video ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants visual demonstrations of safe physical therapy stretches for a lower back strain. | — | tutorial_video/transcript | gentle stretches and relief exercises | 1x of 3 | |
core strengthening exercises to prevent runner lower back pain ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Discover preventive conditioning routines involving core stability for runners. | — | how_to_steps | recovery and prevention routines | 1x of 3 | |
should I use ice or heat for a lower back muscle strain IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the immediate first-aid treatment for managing acute back muscle pain. | — | faq_page | ice or heat treatment | 1x of 3 | |
ice vs heat for lower back strain after workout COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know whether to apply ice or heat immediately following a running injury. | — | comparison_table | ice or heat treatment | 1x of 3 | |
lower back strain vs sprain differences COMPARATIVE | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the technical difference between a muscle strain and a ligament sprain in the lower back. | — | glossary/definition | strain versus herniated disc | 1x of 3 | |
strains vs sprains in the lower back running injuries REFORMULATION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | Clarify the medical difference between a muscle strain and a ligament sprain in the lower back. | — | glossary/definition | running form and injury causes | 1x of 3 | |
common running form mistakes causing lower back pain ENTITY EXPANSION | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to identify potential running form errors that might have triggered their back strain. | — | web_article | running form and injury causes | 1x of 3 | |
how to sleep with a terrible lower back strain IMPLICIT | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user needs practical advice on sleeping positions to minimize severe lower back pain at night. | — | how_to_steps | gentle stretches and relief exercises | 1x of 3 | |
how long does a lower back muscle strain take to heal RELATED | Google ↗ AI Mode ↗ | The user wants to know the expected recovery timeline for a running-induced lower back strain. | — | faq_page | recovery time and healing | 1x of 3 |
Passes
Does another pass still surface new queries? A flattening curve means the fan-out has stabilised.
| Model | Pass | Target | Generated | Seconds | Tokens (in / out) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 1 | 12 | 12 | — | 925 / 1,470 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 2 | 10 | 10 | — | 925 / 1,283 | |
| gemini-3.5-flash-lite | 3 | 12 | 12 | — | 925 / 1,433 |