Holistic, Alternative Medicine Education and Insight

Showing posts with label holistic health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holistic health care. Show all posts

Sunday, August 5, 2007

5 Ways to Partner with your Doctor and take Control of your Health

For many people, the thought of taking control of their own health is a frightening proposition. We often are very comfortable turning over complete control of our health and well-being to another and less comfortable with determining and weighing specific options to maintain or regain our own health ourselves. This is evidenced in our lack of overall knowledge about our condition, the impact and efficacy of suggested treatments, and/or the things that we could do that would serve to either help or hinder our situation. Whether you are consulting a traditional medical doctor or an alternative medicine practitioner, you should become actively involved in the process in order to determine the best decisions for your health. Below, find 5 things that you can do now to work with your health-care provider and take charge of your medical health.

  1. Prepare for your doctor visit; write down all of your symptoms. Face it. We all get nervous when visiting the doctor. It's easy to forget things. But if you have a list, you'll be sure to inform your medical doctor or holistic practitioner of any symptoms or reactions that you are experiencing.


  2. Understand your diagnosis or evaluation results. At each visit, come prepared with a pencil and paper to write down all key information. Ask questions! Remember, the doctor is there to help you. Find out about your prognosis, alternative treatments or therapies, side effects, etc.


  3. Research your condition and treatment. Use the internet or your local library to research and gain a better understanding of where you stand with your health. In addition to medical databases online where you can research both pharmaceutical drugs and herbs, there are also online support groups for every condition imaginable.


  4. Get a second opinion. Doctors aren't perfect. If you have followed the previous steps, you should have a better understanding of your condition. You are in a better position to discuss treatment options with someone who may come from a different perspective than your initial doctor.


  5. Incorporate preventative health care measures into your daily life. Address your diet, rest, and exercise from a holistic perspective. The old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, is quite apropos when it comes to preserving your health. Staying healthy minimizes your trips to the doctor.




To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit


To find out about natural health education, visit

Monday, July 23, 2007

Choosing a Holistic Practitioner

In studying natural health, one question comes up over and over again. How does one go about choosing a good alternative medicine physician or holistic health practitioner?


Just as in allopathic medicine, the choice of health care provider is critical to your overall results. If it is a new experience, choosing an alternative health care doctor can be overwhelming. These 10 questions below adopted from the American Holistic Medical Association, can be used to help you find and build a relationship with a practitioner that you can partner with to secure your natural, holistic health.

  1. How does this practitioner feel about second opinions or your interest in alternative health care therapies or treatments?

  2. How do you react and respond to this practitioner's staff and office? Are you comfortable?

  3. Is your personal dignity respected by this practitioner and his staff during examinations and any other interactions?

  4. Does this practitioner honor your doubts, anxieties, or fears?

  5. Do you feel like a valued partner in managing your health?

  6. Does the practitioner himself appear healthy?

  7. Are you treated as if this is an important, ongoing relationship?

  8. Are you allowed sufficient time between consultation and treatment to allow time to make well informed decisions?

  9. Does the practitioner offer you unconditional acceptance and an open mind?

  10. Would you recommend this practitioner to another person that you care about?

Use these 10 steps to find a natural health practitioner and lay the groundwork for establishing a healthy relationship with them in securing your holistic health.



To find out more about natural methods of health and healing with alternative medicine, visit


To find out about natural health education, visit



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