25/01/2024
Why do we tend to find faults with patients rather than point out positives? 🤔
I once saw a consultant about hand pain, he arranged an x-ray and said my joints were ‘pristine’. Not ‘age related changes’, ‘ok’ or even ‘normal’ but PRISTINE! That word was so positive and reassuring it really stuck with me. It made me think too - why don’t we tend to point out positives to our patients?
We often hear, “my physio said I have terrible posture” or “I’ve been told I’m not moving properly”. Why don’t we hear, “my physio said I’m in great shape” or “I’ve been told my legs are really strong!”?
So I think it’s time we actively looked for positives in our assessments and told the patient about them! When we identify rehab targets like loss of strength, range or control they can become solutions:
Weak ➡️ some strength exercises will improve that
Stiff/ tight ➡️ that will feel better once we get it moving more
Poor balance/ unstable ➡️ you’ll feel more strong and stable with some balance work
What do you like to say to your patients? Let me know in the replies🗣️
