The problems surrounding back pain at work have been explained by an expert, who noted that deskbound employees such as IT workers were more prone to being affected.

Osteopath and head of professional development at the British Osteopathic Association Kelston Chorley stated that technology such as computers have made the average worker more susceptible to back troubles due to longer periods of physical inactivity.

He stated that the body was designed to move, with humans were not meant to live a sedentary lifestyle, adding that inactivity needed to be addressed as it was detrimental to productivity and health.

Mr Chorley added: "There needs to be an integrated attitude at work that you have got to do some exercise as well - you can't just be sitting at your desk all day."

Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in July found that it sickness absence cost the UK economy £666 per employee in 2007, a £7 rise from 2006.

More than half of small businesses (53%) believe that the most important benefit of outsourcing is guaranteed response times for IT support, London based Connect conducted the research in 2007.