Medical Schools of the Internet / YouTube / Social Media

From the author

Approximately twenty years ago, with the rise of social media and online video platforms, so-called “medical schools of the Internet” began to grow. In my practice we noticed the effect immediately: patients—often referred by physicians and tested with every available medical exam—would search the Internet and return convinced they had been misdiagnosed. This led to a surge of self-diagnoses, anxiety, and new stress-related illnesses.

Because of this phenomenon, practicing any form of healthcare became more difficult, including massage therapy. It took extra effort to explain and to try to persuade patients otherwise. In many cases, when other healthcare professionals labeled symptoms as psychosomatic and gave up, we were still able to help.

When I trained, we were taught that psychosomatic disorders are real physical conditions rooted in emotional disturbance; ultimately, they manifest physically. Physical therapies—especially medical massage—have powerful tools for treating these conditions. These psychosomatic disorders reflect dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, and massage therapy is one of the most effective ways to restore autonomic balance.

The rise of internet-fueled self-diagnosis forced me, even as an experienced clinician, to adapt. I learned the best ways to handle these cases, working closely with clinical psychologists, MDs, and NDs who helped me respond to the wave of misinformation. The Internet is filled with misleading content that creates new, pseudo-medical “physiologies,” inflaming minds and making people sicker.

Those who follow my writings know my core claim: when it comes to skill development—both hands-on technique and knowledge—“the sky is the limit.” This period of adaptation pushed me to sharpen my skills and deepen my understanding. It is worth noting that even before the Internet’s negative effects, periodically, I successfully treated psychosomatic disorders through the unique and multiple healing powers of medical massage. The recent challenges only activated and amplified my intellectual and clinical potential and made me a better therapist.

During this time I also saw the importance of teaching about placebo and nocebo effects. You cannot meaningfully trigger placebo benefits without a deep understanding of nocebo. Every healthcare professional should understand nocebo before attempting to use placebo effects therapeutically. placebo /nocebo, it can be switched unpredictably, and unexpectedly.

In 2018 I published an article, “The Placebo Effect and Its Role in Massage Therapy — Part 1”

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/blog/the-placebo-effect-and-its-role-in-massage-therapy.htm

I know many readers prefer articles under 500 words, but this material is educational and intended for professionals. I strongly recommend careful reading—the concepts are crucial for successful clinical practice.

For more than thirty years, since I began publishing in the U.S., I have emphasized our own energy status, the need to protect our energy balance, and the ability to incorporate energy work into hands-on procedures. Long ago I produced a video explaining energy work and how the science of massage supports it.

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/products/ceu-volume-10.htm#video_only

I was very pleased when Dr. Ross—an MD, a medical massage practitioner, and a PhD—agreed to review my energy-work claims scientifically and to coauthor Part 2 with me. I highly recommend reading Part 2 carefully;

https://www.medicalmassage-edu.com/blog/the-placebo-effect-and-its-role-in-massage-therapy-part-2.htm

I am confident it will improve your energy-work abilities.

The key point to understand is this: the physical action potentials we create/release with our hands cannot be resisted by the patient’s mind. Patients may inflame their minds and worsen symptoms through thought, but they cannot block the electrical and physiological effects that skilled hands produce.

Read carefully, and please do not hesitate to post any questions.

Best wishes.