Credibility, readability and content analysis of treatment recommendations for adolescents with nonspecific back pain published on consumer websites.

This analysis reveals that public-facing websites with recommendations for treating adolescent nonspecific back pain do not cite the most recent, high-quality research. Although web pages correctly encourage physical activity and exercise over surgery and prescription medications, they do not reflect the psychologically informed or interdisciplinary care emphasized in recently published treatment recommendations. Clinicians must be aware that caregivers of their adolescent patients with nonspecific back pain may be exposed to online messages that encourage them to keep seeking a diagnosis.