There are many reasons why patients don’t fully recover. In this presentation, I’ll outline the primary one.

After more than 37 years in practice, I’ve developed a strong understanding of which patients are likely to heal—and which are not—based on their mindset.

It comes down to identity. Some people identify as healthy, while others identify as comfortable.

Patients who prioritize comfort will do whatever it takes to achieve that state, even if it comes at the expense of their health.

Take, for example, two individuals with the same condition—let’s say back pain. If the underlying cause of their pain is identical, they should respond similarly to treatment. However, that’s not always the case. The key difference? Their identity (their mindset).

Patient A is primarily focused on getting rid of pain—by any means necessary. They might choose chiropractic care, but they may also rely on medical marijuana, painkillers, alcohol, or even strong narcotics to dull the nerve signals alerting them to a problem. Once their pain subsides, they believe they’ve achieved their goal. But is that truly the best approach for their health? If their pain stems from joint dysfunction, the underlying condition continues to worsen beneath the surface. Depending on which part of the nerve is affected, they may not feel pain at all—yet degeneration and long-term damage persists, impacting the organs connected to that nerve.

Patient B, on the other hand, prioritizes true health. They commit to chiropractic care not just during the acute pain phase, but through the restorative, and maintenance phases as well. While they may still experience some discomfort early on, they recognize that pain serves as a protective signal, guiding them to avoid further injury. Instead of masking symptoms with painkillers, they choose to support their recovery with home exercises, stretching, and proper nutrition—often following their chiropractor’s recommendations more closely.

I’ve witnessed this pattern time and time again. Some patients heal and thrive, while others jump from doctor to doctor, seeking someone who will tell them what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear.

If your goal is true healing, our office is here to help you shift your identity and finally achieve the health you’ve been seeking for years.