Thirty years ago, in 1996, a publication called the Back Book was published. It offered advice for patients experiencing back pain that was evidence-based, advice that is still relevant today. It described two types of sufferer, one who avoids activity and the other who copes.

“The avoider gets frightened by the pain and worries about the future. The avoider is afraid that hurting always means further damage – it doesn’t. The avoider rests a lot, and waits for the pain to get better.

The coper knows that the pain will get better and does not fear for the future. The coper carries on as normally as possible. The coper deals with the pain by being positive, staying active and staying at work.”

Copers do better than avoiders.