Although the primary purpose of the history interview is to gather information and establish rapport, it is also a good time to begin educating your client. For example, clients with possible work-related problems may need to consider ergonomics, repetitive motions, or other problems, such as holding the telephone with their shoulders or working at a poorly set up computer station. Some people undertake exercise programs without proper advice. The initial interview provides an opportunity to introduce these issues.
During the interview you may find yourself “thinking out loud―—that is, sharing your thoughts with the client as the interview progresses. Including clients as you process their information may encourage them to think about their muscular system in a new way. It also builds a team approach to therapy.
Like other aspects of the assessment process, the interview has a dual purpose—both holistic and reductionistic. On the one hand, you are seeking to build a broad picture of the client and the circumstances of his or her life to determine what may be causing problems and what kinds of solutions may be most effective. On the other hand, you must remain alert to clues to the cause of the specific complaint. In some cases, the injury may have occurred at a specific time when performing a precise movement (e.g., “I lunged after the ball and felt a sharp pain in my groin.―). Most of the time, however, the onset and origin of the presenting problem will be much more vague, and will require some detective work on your part. The key to the solution will often lie hidden in the information gathered in the interview.
Ideally, taking a history should be a warm, human encounter, rather than a mechanical process in which the therapist sits with pen poised, reading questions and taking down answers. You should develop the ability to hold a relaxed, conversational interview while also keeping a mental checklist of important areas to cover. In the beginning of your practice, you may want to have a written checklist to consult. This checklist will vary somewhat, of course, from one client and one problem to the next, but the overall territory will remain the same. Above all, do not assume that the client will volunteer important information. Remember that what is important to you may seem trivial to the client. Be thorough.
Your checklist should include the following items:
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Figure 2-1 Intake form
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Figure 2-2 Body drawings to show areas of pain
P.40 Presenting Problem:
What brought you here?
Where do you hurt?
What doesn't work right?
How long has it been this way? When did it start?
If the pain is the result of a specific injury, exactly how did the injury occur? What physical position were you in when the injury occurred? What was the course of the rest of the day, and of the next couple of days?
Describe the pain, swelling, limitation of motion, and treatment (including self-treatment) that occurred over the course of the rest of the day, as well as the days following the injury.
Have you ever had this problem before? When, and under what circumstances? When was the first time?
When is the pain worse? When is it better?
What makes the pain worse? What makes it better? In what physical position does it feel worst and best?
Whom else have you consulted? What did they say and do?
Health History:
How is your general health?
Have you had any recent illnesses, injuries, surgeries?
Have you ever had any major illnesses, injuries, surgeries?
Do you have a history of heart problems or neurological problems?
Is there any history in your family of brain or neurological disorders, such as stroke?
Are you under a doctor's care for any condition? If yes, what condition? Are you taking any medications?
Who are your regular caregivers? Do you see a chiropractor, osteopath, naturopath, or any other sort of physician? Any other kind of health professional?
Athletic History:
Do you play any sports? Work out? Have you ever?
As a child or teenager, did you take dance? Were you a cheerleader? What were your activities?
Personal/Family/Social History:
Are you married? Single? Any children?
Describe any recent stressors in your home environment.
What do you do for recreation?
What are your primary sources of stress?
Occupational History:
What is your occupation? What does it involve—i.e., what do you do all day? How much do you sit, stand, and move about? Is there any heavy lifting? Repetitive motion? Does any work activity cause pain?
How often do you take breaks, and for how long? What do you do during breaks?
What types of work have you done in the past?
Have you ever had any work-related injuries?
Feel free to add to this checklist; your own knowledge and imagination will find questions to ask and leads to pursue that lie beyond these boundaries. You should certainly follow up on any questions in your mind.
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