Occupational Low Back Pain

The control of the costs and human suffering of low back pain requires a multidisciplinary team. The fist edition of this book sought to address the need for a book that would be useful to the entire team of professionals involved in the care of low back pain.
It identified the risk factors that are known to cause or exacerbate low back pain in different industries. It reviewed the anatomy and physiology needed to understand how various conditions cause both acute and chronic low back pain. Beyond simply describing the mechanism of injury, it examined how contemporary diagnostic tools and ergonomic intervention strategies can be used to return patients quickly to the workforce.
The book also reviews prevention strategies, including worker evaluation and selection methods, training and physical conditioning.
The book has been more successful than anticipated with sales of 6,218 copies to date. However, much of the information depends on government guidelines, many of which have changed since the appearance of the first edition. The following areas will be changed and updated:
1. AHCPR acute low back pain guidelines.
2. ADA-Americans with Disabilities Act's impact on accommodations for low back pain.
3. New guidelines for disability evaluations.
4. NIOSH and EU have new guidelines for lifting.
5. The new techniques for workplace evaluation.
We will also create a number of new line drawings that will help clarify both concepts and recommendations.

The latest advice on: managing worker's compensation injuries, preventing chronic disability and improvements in working conditions. Addresses major changes in government and disability guidelines that have occurred since the publication of the first edition:AHCPR acute low back pain guidelines, ADA- Americans with Disabilities Act's impact on accommodations for low back pain, new guidelines for disability evaluations, NIOSH and EU have new guidelines for lifting. Identifies and evaluates risks factors and conditions that cause low back pain with discussions on biomechanics, clinical classification, acute and chronic pain, epidemiology and etiology. Presents a clinically proven low back pain management program that can be implemented to reduce costs for both the worker and the industry. Reviews prevention strategies including worker evaluation and selection methods, training and physical conditioning and ergonomic job design, all of which play a roll in reducing costs associated with low back injuries. A separate chapter on impairment ratings to help determine the severity of a worker's injury.