Chiropractic and Placebos

Placebos harness the power of the mind.

Some dismiss the results our patients receive as merely the placebo effect. These cynics virtually ignore the mind/body connection that most forward-thinking health care experts are finally acknowledging.

A placebo (from the Latin ‘I will please’) is often a sugar pill or some type of sham treatment designed to invoke the beliefs of the patient, and in the case of double blind studies, even the beliefs of the doctor. Some studies show that placebos can be 30% to 40% effective.

Should the consistent results that today's chiropractic patient enjoys be simply chalked up to the placebo effect and a caring personality?

Hardly. While it’s helpful when the patient believes the care they’re receiving will help them, some chiropractors have seen positive results from helping newborns, infants and even animals for which the power of the believing mind is clearly not a factor.

 

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Dr. Diane Asks some important questions of interest to Weymouth residents - Chiropractor Weymouth Dr. Diane Asks...

What's the difference between sick care and health care?
Sick care is largely about relieving or suppressing symptoms. Health care is about improving performance. While sick care is about how you feel, health care is about how you function. Sick care is what you do to treat an obvious problem, and health care is what you do to avoid the problem and advance your well-being.
What happens if you stop chiropractic care when you feel better?
Many Weymouth folks recognize that this predisposes you to a relapse. Chiropractors know that muscles and ligaments supporting the spine don't fully heal until after symptoms subside.