The old-school body repair I taught occasionally during my career in public education made use of "pick tools"- - - -curved steel pry bars used to raise dents in areas not directly accessible to hammer and dolly work. A combination of the glue-on pull rods and some gentle massaging from the back side seems like the best approach to raising dents without disturbing the painted surface, as long as there's no sharp creases and/or paint scratches involved. Like with any other mechanical or sheet metal procedure, I'm sure there's no substitute for plenty of hands-on experience.
Jerry

"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!