What is the Sciatica Nocebo Effect?
The most common cause of the nocebo is the basic diagnostic process. The doctor finds some spinal abnormality and describes in vivid detail how this structural condition is the cause of great pain. Furthermore, the prognosis for the future is often painted as a grim picture, full of continuing suffering, progressive degeneration, ongoing treatment and commonly, eventual surgery. This utterance is like a sword to pierce the very heart of even the most brave and hopeful patient The doctor can play up the nocebo effect or can prevent it through their choice of words. Mistakes in how the diagnosis is delivered are simply an indication of poor bedside manner in some instances, but are purposeful attempts to initiate long standing pain (and subsequent treatment) in other circumstances. The mind/body connection has been long established in all cases of back pain, whether or not there exists an actual structural causation for symptoms. The nocebo effect enjoys full power in patients who have a
