In 1998, Richard Deyo, MD, one of the most clear-thinking back pain experts in the U.S., published an article in Scientific American (paywall) explaining what was wrong with back pain treatment. Not a lot has changed. See his list of myths, complete with matching cartoons, on page 52; his book Hope or Hype: The Obsession with Medical Advances and the High Cost of False Promises is also a must-read.
