Stress: The chiropractic patients' self perceptions

Background: Psychosocial stress pervades modern life and is known to have a n impact on health. Pain, especially chronic back pain; is influenced by st ress. Various strategies have been shown to successfully reduce stress and its consequences. Objectives: This study explores stress as a potential disease trigger among chiropractic patients. Method: A descriptive study was undertaken to ascertain the stress percepti ons of chiropractic patients. Purposive sampling of chiropractic practices and convenience sampling of patients was undertaken. Patients were allocate d to 1 of 4 groups according to their presentation: acute, chronic biomecha nical, fibromyalgia, or maintenance care. Participating patients were reque sted to complete a questionnaire. Results: Of the 138 patients attending 1 of 10 participating chiropractic c linics, more than 30% regarded themselves as moderately to severely stresse d, and over 50% felt that stress had a moderate or greater effect on their current problem. Some 71% of patients felt it would be helpful if their chi ropractic care included strategies to help them cope with stress, and 44% w ere interested in taking a self-development program to enhance their stress management skills. Conclusion: Patient perceptions are known to be important in health care. A number of chiropractic patients perceive they are moderately or severely s tressed. Interventions that reduce stress, or even the patient's perception of being stressed, may be construed as valid, non-specific clinical interv entions. It may be timely for chiropractors to actively contemplate includi ng stress management routinely in their clinical care protocols.