In this present time, the Internet is the ‘go-to’ place for information, this is especially true for information about health. With the advent of self-isolation, we are turning to the internet and social media for information.
It is easy to sit and scroll through information about a topic that you are interested in. Sites like Google, Youtube Instagram and Facebook have a myriad of information on them.
Even before this current Pandemic, I had many clients come to me with a self-diagnosis or information on what they think is going on with their health.
It was not always the full picture. I fully support and praise that people are taking control of their own health, but sometimes the information or self-diagnosis is not correct.
Let me ask you, would you watch a video on Youtube and then proceed to fix a gas oven or install an electrical device? If you did the wrong thing it could be catastrophic. Well, the same occurs with health. The body is an amazing machine that works can heal itself but it must be given the correct conditions, and an incorrect treatment can cause harm.
I had a message a friend on Facebook the other day asking me about a video doing the social media rounds. It had some good information but also contained a claim that was of concern to me.
You see, the person presenting the social media information was qualified but in a different area of health to the area that they were talking about. Their qualifications were not around herbal medicine or supplements but they were telling the viewers to get a specific product to help in the current pandemic. The product, from a herbal standpoint, does not have a reputation of being anti-viral properties.
To gain optimal health you need to have the correct information. But how do you get that information?
Do you just read a social media post, a person’s blog or watch a Youtube video?
How do you know where that person got their information and what their qualifications are?
Did they just read someone’s else blog and decide they wanted to create their own. Do they really know the complex processes of the body and how the biochemical reactions all inter-relate? Look into the author’s experience and qualifications.
Correct information comes from credible sources. How do you know if what you are reading or viewing is credible? Look at the following:
- What qualifications does the author have?
- Does the person writing or listing the video have experience in the field that they are talking about? What is their experience and have they researched all the aspects of this topic?
- Are there scientific articles that correlate with the person’s ideas?
They are many articles and even whole websites written by people that do not have all the information needed to make educated decisions. We have all heard about a girl who faked her brain cancer and wrote many articles about health, creating a huge following.
Other health writers may have qualifications as an accountant or a chef but that doesn’t mean that they know about health. Some health writers are claiming that they have done a short course and are ‘nutritional consultants’. Look at their course and what study they had to do before considering their advice.
I truly believe that people need to have information to help empower themselves in their own healing process. In my clinic, I talk about clients getting into the driver’s seat of their health bus.
By having correct information, people can make suitable changes to their diet and lifestyle and therefore travel the road of health.
This correct information needs to come from those who have training and qualifications in health. Health is about looking at the individual and the biochemical processes that are going on and the interaction to their environment and lifestyle.
A solution that fits for one person does not necessarily fit for another as we are all different. Our genetic makeup is as individual as our fingerprints.
When looking for good quality health advice look at those who have undergone formal study, and keep up to date with the current research. Utilising the years of study and clinical experience of the health professional you will be able to work with someone that can help improve your health knowledge and as well as the health of you and your family.
If you are reading this and asking yourself what are your qualifications, Teressa? Great, I love it. Keep asking this every time you read an article.
Just to answer your question, I have a Bachelor of Applied Science with a double degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry and Sub-major in Nutrition. I also hold a Bachelor of Naturopathy and this combination made me Australia’s first University qualified Naturopath, Biochemist and Microbiologist.
I endeavour to keep up with the current scientific knowledge and combine that with my natural medicine viewpoint. I have authored my second book which is published called ‘The Energy Solution – A Mothers Guide to go from Frazzled And Fatigued To Fabulous”. If you have any questions or queries please contact me.
Should you want to speak to someone about your health and wellbeing and get an assessment, I offer in-person and Telehealth consultations, book here.
Enjoy great health
Have a fabulous day