What is in a Word.... by Brittany Vandyken
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is an old schooyard chant that we have all said at some point in our lives. However, we now know that this is not true. The words we use can have a profound impact on both ourselves and others.
But what does that have to do with our bodies, physiotherapy, or our ability to function and our brains. Things we tell ourselves, or the words our health care providers may use with us, can worsen our pain, build fear and decrease our function. Imagine the difference between these two sentences and how they make you feel:
"You have degenerative changes in your knees; the joint has narrowed and you are bone-on-bone"
"Your knee has normal wear and tear that occurs with age, just like grey hair and wrinkles on your skin"