Words matter: unraveling the impact of labels on pain perception

In this episode, Joshua Zadro, Yenfei Xie, and Travis Haber delve into the impact of language and labels on people's beliefs about musculoskeletal pain. They discuss recent studies exploring the effects of specific labels on patient management strategies. Joshua introduces the concept of labels in the musculoskeletal field, highlighting the potential influence on treatment decisions. Yenfei shares insights from a study on changing labels for neck pain after road traffic injuries, emphasizing the need for careful consideration in compensable environments. Travis discusses findings on hip pain labels and the importance of understanding and addressing patients' existing beliefs in clinical practice. The episode concludes with a reflection on the clinical implications of these studies and the role of language in shaping patient perceptions.