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Table 1 Examples from cross-case comparison

From: Exploring expectations and perceptions of different manual therapy techniques in chronic low back pain: a qualitative study

Parti-cipants

Understanding of pain

Forming expectation

The perception of care

Re-evaluation of body awareness and management (technique preference)

01

Self-manipulation and movement help; experience with injuries and rehabilitation in the past; biomedical background to pain

Communication adapted to individuals background and knowledge, treatment short and effective on pain,

Physio will help

Well- detailed explanation

Professional behaviour;

Well-organised and smooth procedure

Frequency of pain reduced after thrust-technique (pressure release)

Additional rotational spine movement is required for effect (thrust-technique)

04

Rich experience of hands-on treatment; perceives two types of pain (central localized, vs diffuse)

Agrees on psychological component to pain; life-long process of realignment

Proper explanation to techniques and origin of CLBP;

Influencing the “sense of wrongness” in the back

In general, too short and unspecific to be effective;

Singular treatment approach is not sufficient,

A slight shift in pain occurred during thrust-technique; however, acquired active coping-strategies are more helpful

(no preference)

06

Pleasant experience with physiotherapy (mainly exercises)

Asymmetry and alignment issue

Stress-induced pain

No high expectation on solving underlying pain drivers

Enjoyable interaction with Physiotherapist

Apprehensive to thrust technique; pleasant experience with non-thrust technique

Most change in pain immediately after treatment and during activities; similar to exercise from previous physiotherapist

(non-thrust technique)

08

Self-manipulation and strength training help;

Weak and “out-of-place” spine drives the pain;

Scientific approach expected; influencing “stiffness and knots”

Detailed explanation of procedure

Comfortable communication and touch; perception of professional manner and sufficient explanation; nice stretch with both techniques

Explanation impacts outcome; Unspecific feeling of change through technique

Something has moved back into place

(thrust-technique)