Articles
Integrative medicine: Find out what works
Content
How to evaluate claims
Do your homework
Weed out misinformation
Watch for scams
Don't assume 'natural' means 'safe'
Choose practitioners wisely
Continue conventional treatment
Weed out misinformation
The web and social media are full of information about integrative health techniques, but not all of it is accurate. To weed out the bad information from the good, use the three D's:
- Dates. Check the creation or update date. Older material may not include recent findings, such as new treatment advances or recently uncovered side effects.
- Documentation. Check sources. Are they reputable? Are health professionals creating or reviewing the information? Is advertising clearly identified?
- Double-check. Visit multiple sites and compare information. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) website is a trustworthy resource. Before you follow any advice, check with your doctor.