Googling with wisdom
Let me start by saying there’s no replacement for personalized medical care so I still suggest seeing your movement expert (physiotherapist, kinesiologist, etc.,) or primary care provider for guidance on your pains and aches.
However, we’re all human and Google (or maybe ChatGPT and TikTok more recently) has become a subconscious step as we look for answers. Some providers are annoyed by this tendency of our patients but it’s natural and can absolutely work to the benefit of everyone.
I love asking patients “Why do YOU think this is happening?”. Answering that question requires 1) body awareness to know what you’re feeling, and 2) didactic awareness of what the options are. As a healthcare provider who studied (a branch of) medicine, you learn what information smells like click bait versus reliable.
Firstly, let’s talk about how a diagnosis is made. All diagnoses are clusters of symptoms; we’re looking for patterns. A headache by itself could be cancer or just a bit of hunger. Knowing which one depends a lot on the other symptoms.
Hint hint: this blog is a great way to prepare for your first physical therapy session. We’ll be asking these questions!
Take a moment to write down all the symptoms you feel.
What kind of pain is it? Sharp, achey, dull, diffuse, throbbing, stabbing, burning?
Where is it? Does it stay in one spot? Does it run somewhere?
How did it start? Was there a moment of injury? A pop, snap, crack, swelling limping? Or did it show up on its own gradually?
What makes it feel better or worse? Does it only hurt in certain positions? Times of day?
You are the expert in what you feel. Us doctors are trying to make sense of what it is you’re feeling. We are the pattern experts. Together we make a pretty good team but on our own it’s hard to succeed in getting the right diagnosis.
Take a moment to acknowledge why YOU think your pain/injury happened.
Did you recently start a new sport or change your intensity? Training for a marathon? Much more time sedentary?
Do you have a history of other injuries in the same area or system?
All of us spend a little time trying to fix our pains ourselves, even if that means “leaving it alone and seeing if it gets better”. Me included. It’s important to think about what things you tried and how your body responded.
Did you take a day, week, month off of some or all activity?
Did you try heat or ice?
Did you try stretching, massaging, rubbing, foam rolling, or massage gunning it?
Did you see another provider (Chiro, acupuncture, massage, etc.,)?
And then more importantly, did it help? (and how much)
Did you get a lot of relief? A little?
Did the relief last only a couple minutes or for hours or days?
Did the pain return? To the same intensity? Or not so bad?
Did it help in the moment you’re feeling the pain or only to prevent it?
Now, you’ve got a bit more of your own pattern understood. Even if you don’t know what it means. You can then take these patterns into your favorite search engine and put them to work. But let’s do it systematically…
“Why does my ________ hurt?”
Let’s say your back hurts. Google may pop you back answers like: disc herniations, sciatica, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, twisted pelvis, anterior pelvic tilt, arthritis, car accident, posture, improper lifting, smoking, pregnancy…(these are all real answers from my Google search).
Pick your “favorite” answer.
Don’t just assume Google got it right on the first try. Which of these answers sounds the most like what you’re feeling? Do you feel like a couple might be close?
Option A (Google): “Differential diagnosis for ______________”
This phrase is used to identify the differentiating characteristics between diagnoses. What makes us think it’s one diagnosis versus the other? Put in your “favorites” and read through the answers.
If you find this information too confusing, try Option B below.
Option B (TikTok/YouTube): “Exercises for _____________”
Remember all results aren’t created equally. Try looking for content from verified professionals with degrees and certifications rather than athletes. Athletes tend to base their answers on their experience which is unlikely to work for the average person. Note: just because someone cites a research study does not mean they know what they’re talking about.
TRY THEM OUT. If the exercises work, it confirms why they were there (to some degree). For example, if your back hurts and it improves when you stretch it, it was probably tightness causing your pain. I call this a positive diagnosis!
If it makes your pain worse, or doesn’t help…see a professional!
See a professional anyways!
Did you really think I wouldn’t suggest this? Injuries and dysfunctions are easier to treat when we catch them faster. Plus interpreting all this information takes nuance and experience!
Sometimes we only need 1 session with patients to get them back on track if the injury is small and the information is clear. If you wait until it turns into a much bigger problem, we might need months or more to resolve it.
The goal from this post is to help you use the incredibly abundant information across the internet for your benefit. That benefit may be nothing more than coming into a physical therapy evaluation and knowing how to answer the questions “What’s going on? How do you feel?” accurately.
In any case, trust yourself. Trust what you feel. Find a provider you trust. And participate in the process!
