The notion being posited here is that despite the fact that words, in themselves, lack meaning, they do trigger meaning in your patients. In conjunction with your treatment, words do have consequences. Discretion, therefore, must be exercised in one's choice of words. Wherever and whenever possible, quantifiable terms should be used. Using specific units of measure is the best insurance against being misunderstood.
Patients describe their symptoms differently.
It doesn't let me sleep. How patients talk about their bodies can be revealing to the doctor who is language-sensitive. A knowledge of semantics is but one step toward the acquisition of such sensitivity. To repeat, meaning is in people, not words. A concerted effort should always be exerted to determine exactly what people mean by their words.