A prominent Dutch orthopaedic surgeon has developed a service which aims to
return long-term back pain sufferers to work, by changing people’s behaviour
rather than their backs.
Dr Pieter van Akkerveeken set up the service 10 years ago after discovering that
most causes of back pain disability have a psychological and not physical
basis.
Speaking at the Return to Work conference in Manchester last month, he
explained that when a person suffers mechanical back pain, they often
mistakenly believe it to be a serious problem that requires rest.