| Patients who exaggerate their pain or set unreasonable expectations 
                    of their chiropractors are known to be at a higher risk for 
                    long-term disability. For the most effective treatment from 
                    your 
                    doctor of chiropractic, he or she must have a clear knowledge 
                    of your symptoms and concerns.  
 A recent survey of 30 chiropractors and 336 patients in Sweden 
                    showed that both groups had many similar goals and expectations 
                    for treatment. For example, both doctors and patients expected 
                    the practitioner to identify and explain a problem, and both 
                    expected treatment to reduce symptoms and make patients feel 
                    better overall.   There were several differences in treatment expectations, 
                    however. Patients had significantly lower expectations of 
                    treatment success than their doctors, yet higher expectations 
                    for advice and exercise. Patients also disagreed with their 
                    doctors of chiropractic on how many treatments were necessary. 
                    Out of options ranging from 1-2, 3-5, 6-10, or more than 10 
                    treatments (or no opinion), most chiropractors felt that 3-5 
                    treatments are necessary for "substantial" improvement. Patients 
                    expected improvement after 1-2 treatments, or had no opinion 
                    on what to expect.
 Poor communication between the patient and doctor can negatively 
                    affect treatment outcomes. With any health practitioner you 
                    seek, be sure to understand one another and have similar treatment 
                    expectations for the best results possible.  Reference: Sigrell 
                    H. Expectations of chiropractic treatment: What are the expectations 
                    of new patients consulting a chiropractor, and do chiropractors 
                    and patients have similar expectations? Journal of Manipulative 
                    and Physiological Therapeutics 2002:25(5), pp. 300-305. Go to https://www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general 
                    for more studies like this one. |