This guide provides general education and does not diagnose a condition or replace individual medical or physiotherapy assessment.
Work-related back pain varies
Back pain may begin after a lift, awkward movement, fall or repeated physical work. It can also build gradually. The assessment considers the mechanism, symptoms, neurological signs, prior episodes, work demands and factors that change the pain.
Severe trauma, rapidly worsening weakness, saddle numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control requires urgent medical assessment.
Early rehabilitation priorities
- Maintain safe movement and daily activity
- Modify aggravating tasks without prolonged complete rest
- Restore comfortable mobility
- Begin appropriate trunk, hip and leg exercise
- Identify duties that fit current capacity
Rebuilding work capacity
Rehabilitation progresses towards the actual demands of the job. This may include graded lifting, carrying, bending, pushing, pulling, walking, stair use, sustained positions or general conditioning.
The starting load should be tolerable and measurable. Capacity is increased according to the person’s response and the requirements of the role rather than a fixed timetable.
Suitable duties
Suitable duties can provide a bridge between current capacity and usual work. They should reflect the worker’s medical restrictions, skills and functional abilities and be reviewed as recovery progresses.
Physiotherapy findings can inform the treating team, but certification of work capacity remains the role of the nominated treating doctor.
A durable return
A successful return is more than completing one pain-free task. Rehabilitation should build enough strength, endurance and confidence to tolerate repeated duties across a normal work period, with continued progression after the initial return when needed.
Official links
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Each link below opens the specific government or scheme page used for this guide.
Raby & Gledswood Hills