Information Overload

We live in a time when we have virtually instant access to a huge amount of information about any subject - right at our finger tips. No more signing books out of the library or pulling out the world book encyclopedia to try to educate ourselves on a topic. Just click a few buttons and let google do the rest! While the internet is convenient and has opened access to information for so many people, we can also very easily run ourselves into information overload! And when there’s that much available, there’s bound to be some information from those not qualified to provide it as well as conflicting advice - even amongst those who are qualified! In no subject area is this more true than the health and wellness field. If you want to achieve “this” then you need to do “x” exercise and eat “y” foods. One click later you will surely find, never do “x” exercise and avoid eating “y” foods. So rightfully so, we end up confused and paralyzed, and do nothing; or, we’re running around spending all our money and time trying different things that are “guaranteed” to solve all of our problems. Here’s a few things to keep in mind to help sort your way through this information overload: 

Know where to start: It’s always important to first determine what the problem is. Getting an accurate diagnosis from a trusted, qualified healthcare provider is the first place to start. Relying on Dr. Google or Facebook to diagnose your condition can often lead to over or under-estimating the problem, not to mention possibly missing the mark completely. Remember that while some of our problems may present with the common “text book” form of the condition, our symptoms don’t always fit so nicely into a box and should be understood and assessed by someone who knows the variabilities that may exist in how conditions present. It is true that your diagnosis may not identify the deep root cause of how you ended up in your current state. (As you know by now, that may take some good hard reflection on your behalf to identify why your body might be acting out). However, even symptom management is easier when you know what you’re working with. 

Can you try it out? I’ve seen people spend thousands of dollars on gadgets that claim to solve all of their pain. Sometimes it works out be quite beneficial, but often it doesn’t. Before you buy, see if someone or a clinic in your area has the same or similar unit/healing modality. Perhaps you are able to access it on a user basis for a few trial rounds. This will allow you to see if it is something that really helps your body - or not. An example is a traction unit. Some people with back or neck pain do get great results with traction therapy - but others either have little to no benefit or even find it aggravates their condition. Trying it out first will give you and your healthcare providers a pretty good idea of how beneficial this therapy may be for you, and if it would make sense to have access to it in your own home. 

Careful about the “studies”: If it looks and sounds too good to be true - it just might be! Sometimes claims of benefit are extrapolated from studies that were done using similar modalities or products, but not actually the one that you’re looking at. Many variables can impact results, and the results of a study done using specific settings on a clinical grade powerful machine may not actually transfer to the portable home unit being sold to you. This idea of extrapolating results from one product to others is also very common in the supplement and vitamin industry. A poor quality supplement, in a form that is not readily bioavailable in the body is simply not going to have the same effect as a high-grade supplement that is dosed properly, in a form that your body can actually absorb. There may very well be excellent studies that have shown a nutrient to be effective, but read the fine print (if you can find it). Check and see if the form and dose of the product in the study quoted is the same as the one you’re planning to buy. Not all ____ (insert nutrient, mineral or vitamin of your choice) is the same. Some forms are cheaper but not as easily absorbed and some products only have a small amount of the active ingredient in them. In addition, if studies are presented that show their specific product to be very superior to others, have a look at how many people were in the study, and very importantly, who funded it. Did the company selling the product pay for the research or was it done by an independent third party? If a company paid for the study, you can have a pretty good idea on how those results are going to shake out. 

Watch out for the “quick fix” promise. I understand full well that when we find ourselves in pain, or feeling unwell, we get desperate to get out of it. But the truth is sometimes it’s going to take time. If you find yourself jumping from one “quick fix” promise to another, slow down and take a step back. Keep in mind that often it took a little while to get ourselves into whatever problem we’re having, and so it’s likely going to take a bit of time to get ourselves out! See if you are giving your body time to do what it is designed to do - heal! There is not one single exercise, pill, supplement or healing gadget that can solve all problems in one session. If something promises you that, I’d do some really deep investigating into how those lofty claims are justified! 

Avoid pin-balling therapies. If you’re doing multiple healing modalities or therapies in a day, talk to your providers to see if they can work together, or at least ensure they are aware of what other things you are doing and how often. This may change their suggested frequency of appointments or the style of treatment they are selecting for you. Some things may be complimentary while others may be trying to create opposite responses in your body and so should be spaced apart. In addition, sometimes it’s hard for you to tell what is working and what isn’t when you’re doing many different things all the time. It is possible to create information overload not just in our minds but for our bodies too! You may need to take a step back and think about what makes sense to you and what your body seems to be responding best to. 

Ask for help. There’s a lot of information out there to navigate and while it is great to be an educated patient and learn what you can about your condition from a variety of sources, remember there are people around to help you through it and have your best interest at heart. Reach out to your providers and ask them about reputable online sources that may be helpful for you, or what books, or other resources might be useful. If you do come across an exercise or a gadget, feel free to chat to them about it. Even if they aren’t familiar with the exact product, they may be able to give you some ideas of what to look for, what variables are important and advise if they think you may benefit from it or if you might be wise to try something else.

Until next time, happy surfing!