05/12/2026
Guide To Smarter Health Research
Every year, millions of Americans turn to the internet for health information. Sometimes, a search provides the exact clarity needed; other times, it leads to a rabbit hole of frustration, fear, and misinformation.
In Chiropractic school, we called it "studentitis"—the phenomenon where students believe they have every disease they study. Today, the internet has given everyone a touch of studentitis. The danger is that
"digital certainty" can hamper logical procedures used to rule out the vast possibilities a search engine might uncover. A simple tummy ache can quickly look like colon cancer on a screen, leading to a "diagnosis"
that a patient refuses to let go of.
To help you use this 21st-century tool safely and effectively, I offer the following guidelines.
1. Research for Information, Not Diagnosis
Never go to the internet looking for a primary diagnosis. For every symptom, there are hundreds of possible explanations—some benign, others serious.
Visual aids can be particularly misleading. Rashes, for instance, often look identical to the untrained eye but require vastly different treatments. When a patient shows me a rash, I summarily refer them to a
dermatologist. Searching for a match yourself often leads to a wild goose chase, needless worry, or—worst of all—dangerous inaction.
2. When the Internet is Most Useful
If you already have a diagnosis (e.g., high blood pressure) or a recommended treatment, the web is an excellent resource for:
Understanding the condition: Characteristics, causes, and relation to other organs.
Impact: Short-term and long-term effects on the body.
Treatment Literacy: Pros, cons, and adverse reactions of suggested therapies.
Functional Knowledge: Learning how your organ systems work so you can make informed decisions alongside your doctor.
3. Master the Search: Advanced Tips
To get better results, try these techniques recommended by the Birmingham (AL) Public Library:
Keywords: Use 5–7 specific nouns. Avoid pronouns and prepositions.
Exact Phrases: Use quotation marks (e.g., "causes of high blood pressure") to find that specific string of words.
Boolean Commands:
AND: (e.g., hypertension AND diet) Finds pages containing both.
OR: (e.g., diet OR exercise) Finds pages containing either.
NOT: (e.g., hypertension NOT exercise) Excludes specific topics.
Privacy: If you want to avoid targeted ads following your search, use DuckDuckGo. It doesn't track your search history like other major engines.
4. How to Evaluate Your Sources
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine and Cornell University suggest checking every site for the "Five Pillars":
Accuracy: Does the page list an author and a way to contact them?
Authority: Check credentials. Preferred domains include .gov, .edu, or .org. (Note: An article in JAMA carries significantly more weight than a snippet from a lifestyle magazine).
Objectivity: Is there a clear purpose? Watch out for heavy advertising or biased agendas.
Currency: Is the information updated regularly? Medical knowledge evolves fast.
Coverage: Is the information complete and accessible without hidden fees?
Final Thoughts
I realize this is extensive, but when it comes to your health, accuracy is everything. My final suggestions are simple:
Don't panic when you initially receive a diagnosis. Realize it is "just someone's opinion.
Sometime the benefits of complimentary health care is most needed in this situation. Bring your findings to our next appointment.
The best health decisions come from patient-provider partnerships. I am eager to work with you to improve your health.
Let me know what you find—and bring me your questions!
To your health,
Dr. Marc
The Office will be closed Thursday May 28 & Saturday May 30th
We will resume normal hours on Tuesday June 1st
Dr. Marc can be reached on his cell phone: 678 468 4828
