Cigna UK Healthcare Benefits has launched an interactive online condition management resource aimed at helping employers tackle the issue of lower back pain.

The tool gives support and advice for employers on managing conditions in the workplace.

Cigna has developed the tool to recognise the good practice guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).

Simple lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that impacts employees, according to Cigna. It affects around one-third of the UK adult population each year, with overall MSD’s costing businesses 9.5 million lost working days per year.

Kirsty Jagielko, head of product management at Cigna, said: “The aim of the Nice guidelines is to reduce the pain and impact on a person’s day-to-day life, even if the pain cannot be cured completely.

“The key is not to take back pain lying down. The issue of back pain in the UK is a high cost to employers and should not be ignored. By offering practical advice and information we can not only help the individual suffering from the condition but also help the employer understand and tackle the wider issue.”

Read more articles on workplace health and wellbeing issues