Occupational low back pain

Abstract

Chronic occupational low back pain frequently evades solution by the classic medical model of pathophysiologic diagnosis and cure. In this context, pain complaints, impairment measurements, and disability reports can be discordant before and after treatment. Multiple psychologic and socioeconomic variables contribute to this disparity and warrant identification and attention. A successful therapeutic alliance between patient and practitioner depends on their setting mutually acceptable goals in each outcome category: pain relief, improved functional capacity, and socioeconomic recovery.