Table 2 Eligibility criteria for the RCLBP cohort

Inclusion criteria: Patients presents to clinic with a new episode of low back pain: Patient has history of recurrent or chronic lower back pain, the first episode of which occurred at least 12 weeks ago; Age over 20 years; Primary means of communication is the English language.

Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy: current intention to become pregnant; English as a second language; upper motor neurone lesion; frank psychiatric illness; traumatic fracture of any vertebra leading to permanent neurological damage or persistent disability; non-ambulatory or requiring assistive devices; any spinal surgery within six months prior to presentation.