Aim of the study: The occupational physician is familiar with backache at the workplace, both because of its frequency and also its relationship to stress at work as a causal problem and as a result of the carrying out of work. The most important diseaserelated and work-related causes are summarised below and consequences for the activities of the occupational physician are discussed. Method: The causes and consequences of backache are represented on the basis of pertinent literature and our own research. Results: Most important of all are receptor pain and transmitted pain, myofascial pain, radicular pain and as a result of this projected pain and, less commonly, direct intravertebral disk pain. Work leads to muscular strain and the amplification of degenerative changes or their sequelae, and contributes to the stressful interaction of the development of pain and overcoming pain. Lifting and carrying heavy loads, long-term unnatural positions while bending, crouching and kneeling, and vibration of the whole body are the most important causes of backache at the workplace. The occupational physician should investigate the causes of backache by visiting the workplace and examining the ergonomic situation, to be able to contribute to how the work is carried out and the relationship of the employees to the work, and also to limit unfitness for work as a result of unspecific backache. Conclusions: The prevention of chronic pain as a result of the early introduction of work-related secondary preventive measures and rehabilitation is also the task of the occupational physician.
