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.
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