That little kink in your neck is just not going away, and now you’re having some weird tingling in your shoulder blade and down your arm.
You lifted something funny and felt a pull in the back yesterday. You’re concerned because 5 years ago you did the same thing and felt the same way and that pain took a solid 6 months to go away.
You’re having this weird stiffness in your shoulder after you started going to a new work out class.
What are you supposed to do in this case? Who do you call?
More importantly, who are you supposed to listen to?
We’re all confused, and it’s not really our fault. Sometimes, the doctor’s appointment feels like a waste of time because they just gave you a bunch of pills last time for the same problem, and you’re still not quite sure what they’re for. On top of that, you never really got better. Your friend’s friend said that you just HAVE to go to their chiropractor, but you’re a little leery about getting all your bits popped and cracked. And let’s be fair here, last time you went to that physical therapist down the street, they made you do the same 5 exercises every time and it kind of felt like you were wasting your time.
As someone seeking care, it’s hard to navigate the waters out there. Sometimes even getting through the red tape through your insurance company and paying all the $$$ to see someone who doesn’t help just doesn’t seem worth it. So you turn to your friends, family, and even internet groups and forums that you’re a part of that have nothing to do with healthcare. There, you’ll hear ALL sorts of advice, personal stories, and what you should REALLY be doing.
When I overhear these conversations or read them online, I die a little inside. These are probably the worst places you want to go to for healthcare advice and information, especially if none of these sources are actually people with any sort of medical background. Why is it so bad? After all, you’re just looking for advice about your situation, when you’re scared and hurting. Isn’t crowdsourcing the next best thing? The problem is, most people chiming in can’t wait to share THEIR stories. You can’t really blame them, everyone likes to lament about the last time their back hurt, how much agony and red tape they had to go through; they want to know how their friend or loved one had the EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS as you’re having and now they’re paralyzed or they are waiting on surgery. This is something, as humans, that we just do. They want their voices heard.
But let me ask you this: the last time you went to a friend, family, or internet forum for advice when was the last time they asked you more clarifying questions about your specific issue before launching into THEIR story? When did they ask you where your symptoms were, exactly, before telling you that their cousin had the same shoulder pain and they had a MASSIVE rotator cuff tear and had to do 3 years of PT and had 4 surgeries for it? When was the last time you were asked what makes your symptoms better, or worse, what you’ve done so far for your symptoms, and what may have even caused your symptoms in the first place?
Probably never.
But, if you go to a healthcare practitioner worth their salt, they will ask you these questions. They will clarify and ask you YOUR STORY, because that’s the one that matters. And then, they’re direct you to the right person and get you help.
Remember, you’re asking for YOU.
I know, I know, it’s hard to get into your doctor. You don’t even know which physical therapist to go to. There are 10 chiropractic offices in your neighborhood, and the massage therapists want so much money! So how do you decide?
Those are the questions you should be asking your friends and family. Ask them exactly for a recommendation on who to go see, not what they think you should do to cure your pain of 10 years. They won’t know, and more than likely, they’ll scare you into thinking you’re going to die next week.
I know it’s hard but trust your healthcare providers. If you get a bad feeling from one, get a second opinion. Not all healthcare providers are the same, there are definitely some that are better than others. Ask for recommendations, do your research. Just because you had one experience with one person that didn’t work out, doesn’t mean that the entire field is closed off to you.
Take your time to build your team. The right people are going to want to listen to your story and help you find a happy ending.