Frankly, we do give a damn: improving patient outcomes with swearing

Stephens, Richard

doi:10.1186/s40945-022-00131-8

Frankly, we do give a damn: improving patient outcomes with swearing

Stephens, Richard

Authors

Richard Stephens r.stephens@keele.ac.uk

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Words can change the way a patient thinks, feels, and performs. Swearing, or uttering a word that is considered taboo, is an often-ignored part of our language, even though over 50% of the population swears "sometimes" or "often". If used correctly, within a biopsychosocial approach to care, swearing has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. DISCUSSION: Swearing can create tighter human bonds and enhance the therapeutic alliance between a patient and a physical therapist. Improvements in social pain, physical pain tolerance, and physical pain threshold can occur by strategic swearing by our patients. Even physical performance measures, such as power and force could be enhanced if patients swear. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanism by which swearing is effective is unclear, swearing deserves attention in the physical therapy setting based on evidence indicating potential positive effects on patient outcomes.

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jan 20, 2022
Publication Date	Mar 17, 2022
Publicly Available Date	May 30, 2023
Journal	Archives of Physiotherapy
Print ISSN	2057-0082
Publisher	BioMed Central
Volume	12
Issue	1
Article Number	ARTN 6
Pages	6 - ?
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-022-00131-8
Keywords	Swearing, Power, Force, Pain, Biopsychosocial
Publisher URL	https://archivesphysiotherapy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40945-022-00131-8#article-info