Spinal stress-an approach to quantification with respect to back pain

Back pain is a major problem throughout the industrialized world, and although its aetiology is ill understood, the problem demands immediate attention. This paper briefly describes the investigative strategy used in studies of back pain by the Ergonomics Research Unit at the University of Surrey. It then concentrates on the biomechanical perspective of spinal stress and by means of two studies, one based in the field the other in the laboratory, illustrates methods including an ambulatory monitoring and computer analysis system for intra-abdominal pressure, trunk inclination and physiological data, and subjective assessments. The objective of these methods is to quantify the risk factors associated with back pain, thereby allowing changes to be made with respect to equipment, environments and tasks within the workplace. Finally, the need to evaluate such changes scientifically is emphasized.