Treatment of occupationally acquired low back pain

Lumbosacral back pain is one of the most common reasons for patients with a work-related injury to present to a primary care physician. In most cases, low back pain has a good prognosis, but the condition is often the source of much frustration for clinicians, patients and employers. The family physician should be able to treat the patient's symptoms and address the psychosocial issues that frequently complicate recovery. Three decision points, based on the history and physical examination, allow the physician to determine the severity of illness and implement an appropriate treatment plan. These three points are as follows: Is it likely that systemic disease or bone pathology is the cause of pain? Has neurologic compromise occurred? Are social or psychologic stressors present that may prolong the clinical course?