Main results of the congress 2005:

Psychosocial factors like emotional distress and behaviour to avoid pain are more important than degeneration of the intervertebral discs and hard physical work for issuing doctor's certificates for spinal pains.
Programmes for reintegration into work and safety training are the most effective methods regarding the decrease of days absent.
No fear of spinal pain, this retards the regeneration.
Avoiding pain makes no sense.
Supporting the lumbar vertebra to avoid acute or chronic back pains has no effect.
The cause of back pains can rarely be found by x-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.
A good seat should make a light flexion possible but should avoid a hyperflexion. A light lumbar kyphosis releases the pressure on the facet joints, the intervertebral disc is burdened regularly and its metabolic activity is increased.
The spinal column should be supported external to relax the muscles of the back and reduce the force on the spinal column.
A good seat design should support and make frequent change of body positions possible.
Professionals who are extremely exposed to at least 2 factors of whole body vibration, sitting in awkward positions or manual handling of heavy materials have a high risk of back pains, e.g. tractor drivers and drivers of construction machines.
Comfort is important to avoid back and neck pains.