Back Injury and Work Loss: Biomechanical and Psychosocial Influences

A. K. Burton

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

115 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The exponential increase in occupational low back pain disability in a problem that is not being addressed adequately in clinical practice. The notion of achieving primary control through ergonomic intervention, based on biomechanics principles, has so far been unhelpful. The traditional secondary prevention strategies of rest and return to restricted work duties are seemingly suboptimal. Biomechanics/ergonomic considerations may be related to the first onset of low back pain, but there is little evidence that secondary control based solely on these principles will influence the risk of recurrence or progression to chronic disability. More promising in this respect are program that take account of the psycho social influences surrounding disability. Work organizational issues are clearly important, but so also is the behavior of clinicians. The balance of the available evidence suggests that clinicians generally should adopt a proactive approach to rehabilitation by recommending, whenever possible, early return to normal rather than restricted duties as well as complementary psycho social advice if the issue of chronic disability is to be successfully tackled.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2575-2580
Number of pages6
JournalSpine
Volume22
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 1997

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