ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the nature and incidence of low back pain (LBP). Guidelines are introduced and an emphasis is placed on the identification of red flags during patient/client examination. Exercise and psychological interventions are considered and the importance of the use of exercise therapy in the management of LBP emphasised. The use of scans in the diagnosis of LBP is debated. Non-neural causes of back pain are given, and non-structural causes highlighted. Psychological aspects of LBP are considered, and aspects of pain, suffering, and disability illustrated. A distinction is made between medical and biopsychosocial (BPS) models of healthcare. The 3Rs approach to back rehabilitation is introduced.
