Back pain and work

Abstract

Low back pain is a leading cause of work disability and constitutes a significant socioeconomic burden worldwide. In an attempt to stem the serious consequences of long-term disability, a new approach for back pain in primary care is being disseminated. It mainly focusses on identifying the relationship between pain/disability and work, recognising important workplace and psychosocial issues, providing patients reassuring messages about activity, facilitating the return to work process and engaging other resources as needed. This article examines current expert opinion and available evidence on work issues for effective back pain management. In general, return to work, if safe, is beneficial for recovery and well-being. Some cases might require physicians to actively communicate with employers, claims managers and others in order to achieve safe and sustained return to work, while in most instances, simple efforts to identify and discuss work issues directly with the patient can lead to better work outcomes.