Research on 240 patients carried out by the Back Pain Research Group at the University of Sydney traced the progress of the patients from their first visit to the doctor through to recovery.

The trials included ‘real’ and ‘dummy’ medicines and manipulation.

However the results demonstrated that relief is purely a matter of staying active, avoid bed rest and take paracetamol.

Such treatment will lead to recovery just as fast.

Dr Stuart Derbyshire, an expert in pain at the University of Birmingham agreed with the findings.

He believed that a programme of simple advice and care through the acute phase of pain would allow patients to return to normal life when that phase is over.

Naturally an employer should not put an employee on strenuous manual handling immediately on return to work but staying active is a key part and therefore if you are struggling to keep your business going don’t be afraid to question GP’s over their reasons for issuing such notes when you can offer some ‘light duties’.

At Lawgistics we have a set of template letters for clients to help with getting agreement for employees to query illness issues and to send to the medical person (GP or otherwise) when consent is received.

Visit www.lawgistics.co.uk or call 0870 26 77 118 for more information.