The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association
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The rehabilitation of this client with chronic back pain was successful secondary to the efforts of her entire medical team. As demonstrated by the termination letter written by the employer when the client's medical leave exceeded 1 year, this client could not have returned to her former position without work hardening. With implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act, changes in such employer policies might be forthcoming. ⋯ The client did not acquiesce to a therapist's goal; she actively formulated her own. Typically, a client with chronic low back pain, a history of knee problems, and an absence from work of more than 1 year has a low probability of successful rehabilitation and return to work (Isernhagen, 1988). Yet this woman was able to overcome those obstacles to return to both work and a more active life-style.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)