Never do this or that, do it this way, we're told; be careful, you'll hurt yourself; your spine is out of line; the discs are degenerated and the spinal bones are rubbing together; one of your legs is shorter than the other; people weren't meant to walk upright; you've got flat feet; don't swim the crawl or breast stroke; don't arch your back; never sleep on your stomach; always bend your knees when you bend at the waist or come back up; don't lift; don't do sit-ups, do crunches; and on and on.

All of these admonitions and prohibitions, enhanced by poor medical advice, keep your attention riveted on your body, which is your brain's intention.

If someone believes that a preferred treatment is good - though it may be of no value, like a sugar pill - relief of symptoms and even cure may result. The effect is based on blind faith. Unfortunately, the effect is invariably temporary and symptoms soon return. This is why the many treatments employed for back pain, including physical therapy, medication and surgery, ultimately fail; their temporary benefits are attributable to the placebo phenomenon.

The pain epidemic that plagues Western society today is almost entirely a result of the nocebo. You have an attack of back and leg pain, visit the doctor and are told that it is probably a problem with the spine, most likely a herniated disc. [...] being told that the pain is the direct result of a structural problem ensures that the pain will continue. Advised to stay in bed, you believe it must be serious, and the pain worsens. Despite bed rest the pain continues and an MRI is ordered; not only does it show a herniated disc at L5-S1, but the doctor informs you that the two discs above the herniated one are degenerated and the vertebral bodies are rubbing together. This is terrible; you now have objective evidence that you have a "bad" back. Often immediate surgery is recommended, or you are told it may be necessary if you do not respond to conservative treatment. The result: intensifying pain.