This is a medical text book aimed at all health care professionals who care for patients with back pain. It is a book for health professionals about the understanding and management of back pain. It has become established as one of the leading examples of a biopsychosocial approach to medicine. It sets out to challenge unsubstantiated beliefs regarding the best way to treat and manage back pain and to create an interdisciplinary debate on the subject. Patients and society are demanding more effective approaches to this huge problem. This requires a radical rethink among professionals about their individual contributions to the problem. This book is about the revolution that is taking place in this area. Features Written by the world authority - probably the only person in the world who could write this book and have it accepted by all market groups Addresses a huge problem of concern to many disciplines and governments Presents an unbiased view - looks at the problem and the evidence and invites the readers to consider, debate and agree the best course of action Covers all aspects of the problem - interventionist and conservative approaches to treatment, psychosocial issues, economic factors, patient education and prevention A book which is acceptable to a wide audience addressing a major problem of concern (moral and financial) to them all A medical text book useful for health care professionals who care for patients with back pain. It focuses on helping them about the understanding and management of back pain.