ericbrowning
10-08-2008, 09:27 AM
I am very curious about what motivates people to take care of their bodies. Here is what I have observed as a physical therapist as factors that lead to change:
Subjectively:
Pain - This is obvious, but I feel that most people don't understand a couple of things about this. Many times they don't know what aside from an area (ie the back) they have hurt, so most of the time I hear things like "I pulled a muscle" or "I over did it". Problem is, when the pain goes away, motivation goes away. And that is a normal response, however, my argument is that pain as a symptom is just one piece of the puzzle. Low tire pressure in one tire may give you the sense that your car is pulling toward one side when you are driving. But ultimately, if you continue to drive on it because you are not particulary put out by the slight tug of the steering wheel, that over time the tire breaks down and you have a blow out.
Objectively:
Visual feedback - If you look in the mirror and you perceive that you are overweight, then you are probably motivated to do something about it.
Blood pressure, weight, cholesterol measurements - Number based measurements that show you where you fall compared to a normal range. These measurements help guide intervention for physicians. Retesting is important because people remain motivated to bring these measurements into a normal range.
Goal oriented - Maybe you want that beach body by such and such date. Maybe you want to lower your risk for a heart attack by a certain percentage.
Ok, so there are a few examples. What else motivates you? Accountability? etc.
Would it be possible for a physical therapist to motivate you to engage in preventative care if you were not currently experiencing pain at the time?
Eric
Subjectively:
Pain - This is obvious, but I feel that most people don't understand a couple of things about this. Many times they don't know what aside from an area (ie the back) they have hurt, so most of the time I hear things like "I pulled a muscle" or "I over did it". Problem is, when the pain goes away, motivation goes away. And that is a normal response, however, my argument is that pain as a symptom is just one piece of the puzzle. Low tire pressure in one tire may give you the sense that your car is pulling toward one side when you are driving. But ultimately, if you continue to drive on it because you are not particulary put out by the slight tug of the steering wheel, that over time the tire breaks down and you have a blow out.
Objectively:
Visual feedback - If you look in the mirror and you perceive that you are overweight, then you are probably motivated to do something about it.
Blood pressure, weight, cholesterol measurements - Number based measurements that show you where you fall compared to a normal range. These measurements help guide intervention for physicians. Retesting is important because people remain motivated to bring these measurements into a normal range.
Goal oriented - Maybe you want that beach body by such and such date. Maybe you want to lower your risk for a heart attack by a certain percentage.
Ok, so there are a few examples. What else motivates you? Accountability? etc.
Would it be possible for a physical therapist to motivate you to engage in preventative care if you were not currently experiencing pain at the time?
Eric