You're More Than a Diagnosis

When I take a new patient history, people often mention previous diagnoses given to them by other practitioners.  That makes sense because it's typically pertinent to their full health history.  But I actually find out people's diagnoses when I meet them outside of the office, too. 

"Oh, you're a chiropractor? I'm Lucy, and I have fibromyalgia/tendinitis/a blown disc/arthritis."

"Uh, nice to meet you, Lucy."

When did diagnoses become surnames?

I treat a wide variety of patients for a multitude of reasons. But one thing they all have in common is that they want to know: "What's wrong with me?"  Some patients want to know because they want to know what went wrong to cause them pain.  Others want to know because having a definitive diagnosis makes them feel more validated in their pain.  Others are only interested because they want to be able to show their badge of honor off to others.  I like it when patients want to know more about what's going on in their body.  The human body is fascinating, and learning more about this vessel in which we exist is powerful in helping to maintain it.  But looking for validation or taking that diagnosis and using it as a crutch or an excuse is simply not healthy.

One thing I like to let patients know is that I offer them a WORKING diagnosis.  This means that just because today your chart says that you have a disc derangement, it does not mean that this diagnosis is there forever.  Diagnoses can

change

.  We can centralize the radiating symptoms of the disc derangement, improve biomechanics, decrease systemic inflammation, and actually HEAL the disc.  It's possible.  But if you have your mind made up that you have a "blown disc", then you won't ever fully heal.  The mind plays a huge role in the body's capability to heal.  It takes time to heal, but healing is possible.  (This even applies to autoimmune diseases - more on that in a future blog!)  Stop being limited or solely identified by your diagnoses.  Go back to being Lucy Smith, not Lucy Disc.

Image by Charles Schulz, obtained from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_van_Pelt.