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

Stephens, Richard

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.

Citation

Stephens, R., & Washmuth, N. B. (2022). Frankly, we do give a damn: improving patient outcomes with swearing. Archives of Physiotherapy, 12(1), 6 - ?. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40945-022-00131-8

• 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