Saskia Baltrusch

28 Chapter 2 Table 2: Participants’ characteristics Pseudonym Focus Group Age Occupation Work experience with LBP patients Years with LBP Impact of LBP on activities and participation Silke P 53 Housewife N/A >1 year Struggles with certain tasks Paula P 55 Currently not working N/A >1 year Wheelchair bounded Kai P 58 Construction foreman N/A >1 year Still restricted in his work Mette P 53 Nurse N/A >1 year Able to work independently Adriaan HCP 52 Medical doctor >6 years N/A Pieter HCP 50 Consultant for work-related musculoskeletal disorders >6 years N/A Remy HCP 38 Movement Therapist >6 years N/A Robin HCP 56 Physiotherapist >6 years N/A Bram HCP 30 Movement Therapist >6 years N/A Katy HCP 47 Reintegration Coach >6 years N/A Myrthe HCP 44 Psychologist >6 years N/A Carmen HCP 62 Reintegration Coach >6 years N/A P=Patient, HCP=Healthcare Professional 3.1 Problems faced as a low-back pain patient Limits in activity levels Patients considered their limits in activity levels in the discussions about problems they face in daily life. They had, and still have, difficulties knowing their limits, often realizing too late that they exceeded those, resulting in recurrent low-back pain. One patient explained: “I only knew my limit once I had passed it.” (Paula, P) They all acknowledged the importance of staying below their l limits and learning to listen to their body. Still, it remains a challenge not to exceed these limits.