Effectiveness of a Back School Program in the Application of Body Mechanics Principles‪.‬

Low back pain is one of the most frequent work related injuries involving all occupations in which workers are exposed to inadequate postures, lifting activities, heavy weight loads (objects), and repetitive activities (1-8). It has been estimated that 60-80% of the adult population in the United States will experience one episode of low back pain at least once in their lifetime (8-10). In Puerto Rico, during fiscal year 2005-2006, the Workers Compensation Corporation of Puerto Rico ("Corporacion del Fondo del Seguro del Estado de Puerto Rico"), informed that the total number of working related low back and neck injuries approximated 20% and 14%, respectively (11). The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggests that a combination of low or moderate exercise, maintenance of a correct posture, and use of adequate techniques during lifting activities can contribute towards prevention of low back injuries and/or reduction of their complications (12). Back school programs are therapeutic interventions mainly offered by physical therapists, and directed towards treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of backaches (1, 4-5,13-14). These programs are focused on secondary prevention and/or recurrence of low back and neck injuries in order to help the injured worker create a level of responsibility regarding the health of their own spine (11). Patient education in areas such as body mechanics and lifting techniques has proven to reduce the recurrence of low back injuries in the work place (1, 3-4, 15-17).