Finding
a Doctor
by Barbara D. Allan
Author of Conquering Arthritis
How can you find a doctor who knows about the types
of healing methods I recommend for arthritis?
First, ask for recommendations. Ask
your family, friends and colleagues if they have heard
good things about practitioners in your area who use
alternative, naturopathic, or holistic treatment methods.
You can also ask around at health food stores, health
fairs, and massage schools, if any are in your area.
If possible, you want to find someone who has a good
track record in helping people as much like yourself
as possible, including experience with your exact aliments.
Second, pick up a copy of the free
alternative healing newspapers and magazines that are
often available at places like health food stores. Local
practitioners are very likely to advertise in these
publications.
Third, use the internet to search
national and international databases for practitioners
in your area. The following websites all contain databases
of practitioners who have training in alternative medical
practices.
Fourth, if you identify a local practitioner
who has a good reputation for helping people, but whom
works within a different field, you could ask them for
a referral. Such a person is likely to be familiar with
other alternative practitioners in your area.
Just Remember...
Just because a practitioner has been the perfect solution
for someone you care about, or they advertise in a local
publication, or they are listed in a national database,
there is no guarantee that they will have the personality
and the skills needed to support YOU in YOUR healing.
Physicians and healers with these types of training
and mindsets are much more likely to have the skills
you need than if you go to someone who has only standard
American Medical Association approved medical training.
But you must still do your due diligence before choosing
a physician.
Once you have identified a practitioner trained in
alternative medicine, find out as much as you can about
their training and track record, especially with arthritis.
As much as possible, ask around to find out what kind
of reputation they have for healing in your local community.
Feel free to call their office and ask questions before
making an appointment.
Once you have an appointment with a new practitioner,
it's also important to establish good lines of communication
in your first meeting. This helps you assess how well
the two of you are able to work together, and also sets
a good foundation for future discussions about your
health and healing. In next week's newsletter I'll talk
about the types of information and questions you want
to bring to the first meeting with a new practitioner.
Next: Interviewing
a Doctor
|
