Table 2 Components of the biopsychosocial multidisciplinary group intervention

■ Basics on anatomy and biomechanics of the spine

■ Pain mechanisms

Theory program

■ Causes of pain and predisposing factors

■ Type of pain, mechanical, inflammatory, and severity

■ Healthy life habits

Practical program

■ Discuss with the participants the doubts, beliefs and myths about back pain and give positive messages

Physiotherapist

4 hours

Objective: Provide tools on exercises/postures to avoid the pain and the chronic course and improve quality of life.

■ Body posture and its implication in pain

Theory program

■ Ergonomics

■ Benefits of relative rest

■ Diaphragmatic breathing exercises as the basis for relaxation, body awareness and postural control.

■ Pelvic floor/gyration exercises.

Practical program

■ Propioceptive and posture awareness exercises.

■ Strengthening exercises of the psoas and the posterior chain: Paravertebral muscles, gluteus, ischiotibial muscles.

■ Strengthening exercises of abdominal muscles, specially the abdominal transversus, gluteus, spinal extensors and scapular muscles.

Psychologist

4 hours

Objective: Provide participants with cognitive-behavioural therapy techniques

Theory program

■ Influences of cognitions, emotions and behaviour in pain

■ Relaxation guidelines and methods

■ Cognitive restructuring (Modulation of negative thoughts affecting emotions and pain)

■ Use of attention (Increasing attention focus)

Practical program

■ Assertiveness (improving social relationships)

■ Problem solving (training in step by step techniques for decision making)

■ Time organization and reinforcement of reform activities and physical exercise.

■ Life values (increasing concordance between values and behaviour)

■ Relapse prevention