In the UK back pain is a significant contributor to economic inactivity.
In 2023, approximately 1.35 million working-age individuals were unemployed due to back problems. This represents around 30% of the long-term sickness cases contributing to economic inactivity.
Back pain, as part of this group of conditions, is a leading cause of absenteeism and reduced work capacity. Musculoskeletal issues, including back pain, led to over 8.9 million lost working days between 2022 and 2023, highlighting the scale of the problem in relation to employment and suggesting that back pain affects a considerable portion of the population, particularly in sectors that involve physical labour, but is also growing among professionals in non-manual roles.
The UK government's current "return to work" initiatives are centred around several programmes aimed at helping individuals with long-term health conditions, disabilities, and the long-term unemployed to sustainably re-enter and remain active in the workforce.
The WorkWell scheme, part of this plan, is specifically designed to provide help to individuals with health conditions or disabilities, offering early intervention through local services like employment advice, counselling, and workplace adjustments.
This and other initiatives form part of a larger strategy by the U.K. government to reduce economic inactivity and improve workplace health, while addressing the near-record levels of long-term sickness in the UK.
SelfBack is our NICE approved, D-TAC and ORCHA compliant digital health solution designed to alleviate and manage back pain sustainably, with a focus on enabling individuals to return to work.
SelfBack creates self-management plans based on user input. This includes suggestions on physical exercises, lifestyle changes, and pain management strategies. By providing state-of-the-art recommendations, it ensures that each user can manage their back pain effectively, which is essential for reducing absenteeism and fostering a sustainable return to work, following the users progress through any probationary period and back into full time employment.
SelfBack is grounded in clinical research, offering interventions that are proven to be effective in managing back pain. By using an evidence-based approach, it not only alleviates symptoms but also reduces the likelihood of recurring pain, which is key to sustaining employment in the long term.
SelfBack encourages active participation through reminders and progress tracking.
This helps users remain engaged with their rehabilitation programme, increasing adherence to treatment. Sustained engagement is crucial for long-term recovery and preventing chronic back pain from becoming a barrier to consistent employment.
As a digital solution, SelfBack is accessible via smartphones, allowing users to integrate its guidance into their daily routines without the need for frequent medical appointments. This accessibility makes it easier for individuals to balance their recovery process with work commitments, thus supporting a smoother and more sustainable transition back to employment.
By equipping users with tools to manage their back pain proactively, SelfBack can reduce the likelihood of future absenteeism due to recurring back issues. Continuous use of the platform's exercises and health tips helps strengthen the back and promotes long-term wellbeing, ensuring that users can maintain their ability to work without the disruption caused by chronic pain.
SelfBack offers a sustainable return-to-work solution by providing evidence-based care, promoting user engagement, and enabling the long-term management of back pain. Its digital nature enhances accessibility for the user and progress reports for the employer, making it an effective tool for maintaining employment for those affected by lower back pain.