In a world where information is always just a few clicks away, it’s tempting to turn to Google the moment something feels off in your body. Whether it’s a headache, joint stiffness, or mysterious fatigue, most of us have typed our symptoms into a search engine at least once—and probably left convinced we had something far worse than reality.
But while it might feel empowering to “figure it out” yourself, Jordan Sudberg, a leading pain management specialist and respected voice in the medical field, urges patients to proceed with caution. According to Dr. Sudberg, self-diagnosis often causes more harm than good—and he’s seen firsthand how misinformation can lead to stress, mistreatment, and delayed recovery.
Here are five key reasons why Jordan Sudberg advises against self-diagnosing, especially when it comes to pain and chronic symptoms.
1. You Might Misinterpret Your Symptoms
Not all pain is created equal. A headache could be due to tension, dehydration, or something more serious. Lower back pain could stem from a strained muscle—or signal a spinal issue. Without medical training, it’s easy to misread what your body is trying to tell you.
“Symptoms often overlap across multiple conditions,” explains Jordan Sudberg. “Only a professional exam, paired with the right tests, can identify the root cause accurately.”
Relying on online information can lead you down the wrong path—treating the wrong problem or ignoring the real issue.
2. You Can Cause Yourself Unnecessary Stress
It’s called cyberchondria for a reason. Looking up your symptoms online tends to escalate anxiety, not reduce it. In fact, one common outcome of self-diagnosing is a tendency to fear the worst-case scenario.
“I’ve seen patients come in thinking they have life-threatening conditions when, in reality, the cause of their pain is minor and treatable,” says Sudberg. “That level of stress can actually intensify the pain response.”
Rather than offering peace of mind, self-diagnosis often fuels panic and creates a negative feedback loop between the mind and body.
3. You Could Delay Proper Treatment
Perhaps the most serious danger of self-diagnosing is postponing care. When someone convinces themselves their symptoms are “nothing serious” or tries to treat themselves at home, they may unknowingly allow a condition to worsen.
“Time is often a crucial factor in pain management,” warns Jordan Sudberg. “Early intervention can prevent long-term damage and improve outcomes dramatically.”
Ignoring or mismanaging symptoms can turn a manageable issue into a chronic or complex condition that’s harder to treat.
4. Online Resources Aren’t Personalized to You
Most health websites or symptom checkers give generalized information. They don’t take into account your personal history, current medications, lifestyle, or genetic predispositions—all of which matter deeply in making a correct diagnosis.
“Medicine is not one-size-fits-all,” says Sudberg. “Two people with similar symptoms could have very different underlying causes. That’s why personalized care is so important.”
Only a trained physician can look at your symptoms in the context of your complete health picture.
5. You Risk Using the Wrong Treatment
From over-the-counter meds to fad diets and supplements, many people try to treat themselves based on what they read online. But without knowing the exact cause of your condition, you could be using treatments that are ineffective—or even dangerous.
According to Jordan Sudberg, “Misguided treatments can mask symptoms, interact with medications, or even make the condition worse. It’s simply not worth the risk.”
Pain, especially chronic pain, requires a strategic and informed approach. Self-treating without a diagnosis often does more harm than good.
Final Thoughts
While it’s great to be proactive about your health, self-diagnosis isn’t the answer. Dr. Jordan Sudberg encourages patients to view online research as a tool to supplement—not replace—professional care.
“When in doubt, consult a specialist,” he says. “Your body is complex, and it deserves more than a guess.”
Trusting your health to a trained medical provider ensures that you get accurate answers, a clear plan, and peace of mind. And when it comes to pain, that clarity can be the difference between temporary relief and lasting recovery.