As healthcare providers, we're trusted to offer guidance rooted in best practices and current evidence. But here's the thing - healthcare isn't static. What was considered best practice when I started in 2008 isn't necessarily how we treat things today. Like any field, medicine evolves. And staying current takes more than the occasional continuing ed course. It takes commitment, humility, and an understanding of our own limitations.
One question I've been thinking about lately is this: Are our healthcare providers always giving evidence-based advice, or are we sometimes getting anecdotal information based on personal opinion or outdated thinking?
Let me be clear - anecdotal information doesn't always mean bad information. But it's important to know the difference.
Experience ≠ Expertise
I've worked in outpatient orthopedics my entire career - post-op cases, spine issues, athletic injuries, joint replacements. That's my wheelhouse. But if someone came to me with a fresh stroke needing neuro-rehab, I'd refer them out. It's not my area of expertise, and pretending it is wouldn't serve the patient well.
The same principle applies across all healthcare professions. Whether it's PTs, MDs, or chiropractors, we each have a lane. The problem is, sometimes we drift outside of it - often unintentionally - and give advice that may be more anecdotal than evidence-based.
A Common Example in My World
Here's a real-world scenario I run into often: a client develops some knee or hip pain - not from a traumatic injury, just something that came on gradually. Maybe they did a little too much walking on vacation or overdid it in the yard. Nothing major, but it's nagging enough that they head to their doctor.
And here's where it gets tricky.
I'll hear that their physician told them to "shut it down," or that they "shouldn't lift anything heavy" and should "stick to light weights and high reps."
Sometimes that's appropriate. But more often than not, it's overly cautious advice rooted in outdated beliefs or a lack of experience with strength training. Many physicians - especially those who don't lift or coach - haven't designed a training program in their life. Yet they're giving prescriptive advice about how people should train.
That's not a knock on doctors. It's a call for all of us to stay in our lane and respect the nuances of other specialties.
Confidence vs. Caution
One of the most frustrating parts of this situation is the message it sends to the patient: "You're fragile. You shouldn't be doing this." That undermines all the progress we've made together - physically and mentally.
It takes time to build confidence in someone who's been sedentary or who feels limited by age or injury. And it doesn't help when they hear messaging that reinforces the idea they're broken or incapable.
Aches and pains are normal - especially if you're living an active life. Learning to navigate those discomforts is part of building a resilient body. Shutting everything down at the first sign of pain? That's often not the answer.
The Bottom Line
If you're a patient, know that getting a second opinion is okay - especially if the first one doesn't sit right with you. Once you've ruled out serious issues like fractures or tears, it's worth asking: Is this advice coming from someone with true expertise in this area? Or is it based on personal experience or caution rather than evidence?
If you're a provider, know your strengths. Lean into them. But don't be afraid to refer out or ask for help when something falls outside your scope. It doesn't make you less competent - it makes you a better practitioner.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more insights in upcoming episodes of The CAIRN Strength Podcast. You can find us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
