Less Medical Treatment, Better Outcomes?

Richard A. Deyo, MD, is a Professor of Family Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University. He has written a new book entitled Watch Your Back. In this book, Professor Deyo argues that far too many people with chronic back pain seek excessive medical intervention. Much of what Professor Deyo writes seems to be designed to take on the pharmaceutical industry for over promoting the benefits of the various pills and creams and injections they sell. That said, the book can offer some good, practical information about dealing with chronic back pain. If nothing else, Professor Deyo summarizes a lot of the treatment options and their apparent worth.  This will allow a person with chronic pain to better evaluate his or her options.