Royal College of General Practitioners Guidelines on bed rest in acute low back pain: A need for re-evaluation

Abstract A critique, originally circulated 15 years ago, of the use of evidence in guidelines concerning rest in low-back pain, is reproduced. The conceptual background against which evidence was considered is discussed with the suggestion that attempts to reconcile data and concept resulted in advice on treatment which is now being questioned. It is necessary to be vigilant lest expectations of evidence unduly influence its assessment.