Should You Trust ChatGPT With Your Health?

Fifty years ago, if something hurt, you would have booked an appointment with your GP or asked a trusted friend for advice. Today, the first thing many of us do is open our phone, type symptoms into Google, or ask ChatGPT for answers.

It’s a huge cultural shift — and not all of it is bad. The internet and AI tools like ChatGPT have made health information more available than ever. But when it comes to something as important as your body, should you really trust them?

Let’s look at the good, the bad, and the gaps AI can’t yet fill.

The Positives of Using ChatGPT for Health

1. Fast and Accessible

One of the biggest advantages is speed. Type in a question and you’ll get an answer in seconds, often at no cost. For someone in pain or worried about a niggle, that immediacy can be reassuring and provide a starting point.

2. Tailored Advice (to a Point)

If you provide ChatGPT with detailed information about your symptoms, your training load, and even your age and health history, it can generate tailored advice. The more you put in, the better the output. That personalisation can give you ideas that feel relevant, rather than generic “rest and take painkillers” advice.

This matters because tailored advice is more likely to **improve results**. When you see guidance that reflects your actual situation, you’re more inclined to follow through.

3. A Learning Tool

Perhaps its greatest value is education. ChatGPT can help you understand what might be happening in your body, why exercises are prescribed, or how long recovery could take. When people grasp *why* they’re doing something, they stick with treatment plans far better.

That increased “buy-in” is powerful. A patient who understands the goal of strengthening their hip muscles for knee pain, for example, is much more likely to keep doing the exercises consistently.

4. Growing Quality of Information

These tools are getting smarter. As the data sources improve and the technology advances, the quality of information is getting closer to evidence-based guidelines. While it’s not perfect, it’s no longer the “wild west” of random internet forums.

The Limitations of Relying on ChatGPT

1. Missing the Full Picture

When you see a physiotherapist, we don’t just ask about your sore knee. We cover:

* Your sleep quality
* Stress levels
* Previous injuries
* Medical history
* Training load
* Lifestyle factors such as work and hobbies

All of these influence both your pain and your recovery. ChatGPT only knows what you type into the box. Without that bigger picture, it can only make broad guesses.

This matters because better information leads to **better decisions**. A physiotherapist can spot patterns and make links that AI can’t. That’s why a tailored plan built in the clinic usually gets better, longer-lasting results than a self-generated online programme.

2. No Accountability

Most injuries don’t resolve overnight. They require consistency and patience. When someone isn’t improving quickly, motivation drops.

This is where having a physio matters. We adjust the plan, keep you accountable, and reassure you that delayed results are normal. ChatGPT can’t give you that coaching or encouragement. Without it, many people stop too early — and stay stuck.

3. Lack of Reassurance

There’s nothing like having a professional test your knee, examine your back, or assess your shoulder and say: *“You’re safe to keep moving.”* That reassurance is often the key to breaking fear and building confidence.

AI can’t provide that human touch. Without reassurance, people often under-train, stop moving, or become more anxious about their symptoms.

4. Risk of Error

Without proper assessment, online programmes can miss important details — like ruling out red flags or spotting that your pain stems from something unexpected. While ChatGPT may generate a plan that looks credible, it’s still making guesses based on limited input.

A Patient Story: Tom’s Knee Pain

Tom, 58, relied on ChatGPT after knee pain stopped him running. He started with advice about footwear, then stretches, and eventually got a 12-week exercise plan.

Initially things improved, but each time he returned to running the pain flared. He entered a boom–bust cycle: exercise helped, pain eased, he ran again, pain returned. He lost confidence and stopped altogether.

If Tom had seen a physiotherapist, he likely would have been told to keep running but adjust his training load, alongside a progressive strengthening programme. He would have had reassurance, accountability, and a plan tailored to his test results. In short, he would have stayed active rather than stuck in limbo.

My Top Tip

Use ChatGPT as a **tool for learning**, not a replacement for expert care. It’s great for understanding your condition and feeling informed. But diagnosis, treatment, and recovery plans are best left to humans who can see the bigger picture, adapt to setbacks, and give you reassurance along the way.

Final Thoughts

AI is improving and will play a bigger role in healthcare in the years ahead. But right now, nothing beats the combination of expert assessment, tailored treatment, and human reassurance.

If you want to hear more, listen to the full episode of *The Active Life Podcast* where I explore this topic in detail. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7CQDKUWjLGIX6nMT07vTcO?si=w5y9QC-aTT6dU_Xk7qOyTQ