Epidemiology and costs of chronic pain syndromes exemplified by specific and unspecific low back pain

Low back pain is one of the most common factors leading to longtime disability. Unspecific low back pain is predominant, i.e. low back pain without an anatomic or neurophysiological correlate. The socioeconomic impact of back pain is huge. In Germany 4% of all work force is lost only due to low back pain. Psychosocial factors a re essential for the chronification and must be take into account in thera py. Conventional therapy has shown low efficacy, especially once chronification has started.