Do Expectations shape your health?

A quote attributed to Albert Einstein goes like this, an idiot is one who does same things repeatedly and expects a different outcome. But what if you change the outlook? If you do the same things with different mindsets would the outcomes be different?  Is it true in the areas of health?

Langer and Crumb performed an interesting study to probe this aspect of health. They surveyed a sample of 84 hotel housekeeping ladies. Then 44 of them were informed that the kind of physical activities they do (cleaning average 15 rooms in a day, walking, stair climbing throughout the day etc) should be giving them enough exercises to get health benefits. The other 40 of them did not receive this precise information. Guess what! Although all these people were working on the same duties and responsibilities even before the survey was taken, after the survey the experimental group exhibited a lot of changes. These were the people who had been told about the health benefits of their physical activity. They had lower blood pressures, reduced body weight and reduced waist hip ratio. In short, they exhibited all the health benefits of their levels of physical activity AFTER they were aware of it. On the other hand, the group who had not been given this information did not show any significant change in their health parameters.

Here is another study, this one is from the book ‘Predictably irrational’ by behavioural economist, Dan Arieli. In this study 2 sets of volunteers were used to compare the effectiveness of 2 drugs: a very costly painkiller with a cheaper one. The volunteers were given incremental painful stimuli and the painkiller was being tested by their effect of managing this pain. As you must have understood by now, the costlier medicine reduced the pain significantly better. What is amusing is both the medicines were actually Vitamin C which is not a painkiller at all. Studies like this is abundant in health, psychology and behavioural economics.

Placebo and nocebo: The vitamin C here doesn’t have any direct action on pain. It still produced analgesia because of patient’s belief. That is called placebo. placebo effects are real and all the drugs need to undergo placebo trials to prove their efficacy. The opposite of this is also true. A legit form of treatment (including medicines) don’t work when the patient does not have any faith on them.

    Candace Pert, the scientist who almost got Nobel Prize because of discovery of opium receptors in the body, came up with an explanation in her book ‘Molecules of emotions’. According to her our emotions are interplay of chemicals in our nervous system. These neurochemicals are the ones responsible to initiate physiological changes like weight loss or pain reduction. Opposite of this also holds true. Suppressed emotions can initiate the growth of Cancer cells or at least delay recovery, she explains.

What is the significance of this information for a common man like you and me? Let me summarise:

1. Be aware of the physical activity component of your work to maximize the benefits

2. Make a conscious decision to be an optimist. Optimism keeps you healthy. Positive thinking for good health seems to have a scientific basis.

3. Your beliefs shape your health. If you believe you will get sore throat by eating ice cream, then it is probably true. If you believe it does not harm your throat it is probably true too!

About the author

Dr Subhanjan Das (PT)

BPT, MPT (MSk & Sports), CMP(NZ), Diploma in football medicine (FIFA)

Consultant Physiotherapist of Apollo & Reliva Clinic, HSR Layout, Bangalore

Contact: +91 8967549104

Dr Subhanjan Das (PT) has over 14 years of clinical and 12 years of academic experience.  A friendly professional with lots of patience and skilful hands, Dr Subhanjan has worked with thousands of his patients for instant relief of pain and rapid return to activities.  He has treated elite athletes for recovery, injury prevention and performance enhancement.

Dr Das is specialized in Orthopaedic and sports physiotherapy and has keeps himself updated with the latest advancements in the field of physiotherapy. He has undergone training on advanced orthopaedic techniques such as Dry Needling, Mulligan Concept, McKenzie method, Pilates, Cupping therapy, McConnel and kinesio  taping from the best faculties around the world.

Dr Das has taught in 5 universities across India and has trained physiotherapists in 50+ workshops within and outside India.