Backpain - advice for workers

Here is a list of simple do's and don'ts that will help you deal with back pain and let you get on with your life.

Do's

Do stay as active as usual, if possible. But see your doctor if you are worried about the back pain or if the pain persists or suddenly gets worse.
Do take simple pain relief to help with the pain.
Do speak to your employer or your workers' representative, your safety representative or a trades union safety representative who can relay your issues to your employer and if necessary, discuss what can be done to help you stay at work.
Do find out about back pain. A summary of good advice can be found in guidance booklets like The Back Book.

Don't take to your bed and wait for the pain to go away. The sooner you get back to normal activity the better.
Don't worry. Back pain is rarely serious and unnecessary worry delays recovery.
Don't avoid activity simply as a way of avoiding the pain - hurt does not always mean harm.

More information on other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is available on the main MSD site.