Attitude Affects Treatment Success

You’ll hear coaches, teachers, and parents tell kids that their attitude will determine how successful they are in any endeavor. That self-defeating thoughts will undermine their efforts to do well. The same can be said with our health. Our attitude about weight loss, chronic pain, or stress levels can significantly impact how successful we are.

Most who initially seek chiropractic care are looking to resolve their pain. And while pain can be extremely motivating, the success of treatment is contingent on the patient’s attitude going in. Why? Well for the same reason as the examples listed in the paragraph above. If the patient is only interested in pain relief, then what are the chances that they will take steps to ensure it does not return? A patient’s attitude about their health and wellness is the cornerstone of healthy aging. Still two patients with the same injury and pain level can have different outcomes. For example, one can feel better after a week and the other need to pursue a surgery option.

There have been studies as to why there is a difference in how patients respond to chiropractic treatment. These studies have found that there are three key factors involved in success:

• Improving the flexibility of the spine.
• Increasing the movement of the smaller muscles around the spine.
• Increasing the water content of the spinal discs.

The goal of chiropractic care is all three with every patient, but the range of flexibility, movement and water content varies from person to person. Depending on the person’s lifestyle one person can be further behind another when presenting the same injury and pain. The bottom line is giving your body the solid foundation it needs to thrive. Not doing so only prolongs healing. It also can mean the return of pain if steps are not taken to improve one’s lifestyle, including weight, stress, sleep, etc. Understanding that pain-relief can be quick, but temporary, if treatment is looked at with the wrong attitude.