Estimates suggest that, at any one time, 12-33% of the population have back pain. About 5% of a GP's workload involves consultations for the condition, and around 32% of patients who first present with back pain consult again within 3 months. Also, most will still have some pain or disability 1 year after consultation. Indeed, patients who have been off work with chronic back pain for 1-2 years are unlikely to return to any form of work in the foreseeable future, whatever treatment they receive. Here we discuss the place of non-drug management for patients with the condition.