You will get better in 10 visits.
You can’t squat with bad knees.
You have bone spurs, so your mobility will be compromised.
You’re damaged, so you have an excuse.
What bull.
I call the bluff.
I want to know where these doctors got their crystal balls and their judgment calls.
This has established a habit in my patients of expectations from the doctor, instead of themselves.
All day, every day I hear this:
“How long will it take until I’m better?”
“I shouldn’t do things if my back hurts, right?”
Here’s the truth I don’t mind telling:
Dooley: “I don’t know.”
I wasn’t given a crystal ball with my doctorate diploma. Let me enlighten you: other doctors weren’t, either.
Expectations are bull. Commitment is a different concept – built on truth, trust, and dedication.
So, I let my patients know I have no expectations. I only have a mirrored commitment. I can only catalyze what they give themselves, and the results will be a direct response of this joined commitment.
That’s the truth – not some crystal ball hypothesis.
Some truths you’ll see once you shatter the crystal ball:
1. No one knows how long it will take for you to get better – especially not your doctors.
2. Doctors who tell you not to squat with bad knees know very little about biomechanics – and don’t squat.
3. I’ve seen some people who “should” have crazy movement limitations due to structural issues actually move like a dream. I’ve also seen a patient with clean imaging move like a disaster waiting to happen. Structure and function are not completely interdependent.
4. Stop marrying your diagnosis. Having a disc herniation doesn’t mean you have a bad back. You have a back that was awesome at compensating for everything else and was left unprotected. Get focused on your rehab.
Smash the crystal ball. Get committed. Get assessed and corrected. Then, get moving. It’s on you.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley