Overtreatment: The New Epidemic in Healthcare

In an age of advanced diagnostics and aggressive protocols, overtreatment has quietly become a dangerous trend. From unnecessary imaging to overprescribed medications and redundant surgeries, patients are often subjected to far more than they need—sometimes at the expense of their recovery, finances, and peace of mind.
A 57-year-old female patient of mine sprained her ankle while traveling in Vietnam on May 3. An imaging study revealed a nondisplaced oblique fracture at the distal fibula. She had a connecting flight to Japan for a conference, so she declined immediate treatment in Vietnam. Once she arrived in Japan, she contacted me for advice. Based on her X-rays, I recommended conservative care—such as a removable cast or brace—which should have sufficed for the fracture to heal properly.
However, after seeing an orthopedic surgeon in Japan, she was frightened into believing that the fracture would not heal correctly without immediate surgery and that complications were likely. Despite multiple back-and-forths with me, she ultimately caved to the pressure. The surgery was performed on May 9.
I was deeply disappointed—frankly, even angry—because not only was the surgery unnecessary, but it may have worsened the situation. The plate placement appeared to increase the displacement of the fracture due to poor angling. When the patient raised this concern with the surgeon, he grew visibly nervous and simply said, “It will heal on its own.”
Two months post-surgery, she was still using crutches due to ongoing pain and swelling. I ordered a follow-up X-ray and treated her with acupuncture on July 9. After just one treatment, she was able to walk pain-free—without crutches. She could have reached this point weeks ago with proper conservative care and no surgery.
What a modern medical ordeal.
#MedicalEthics #Overtreatment #LessIsMore #IntegrativeMedicine #FirstDoNoHarm