Do you see your regular, Western-style physician every year on the dot for your annual checkup or are you more the type to depend heavily on alternative medicine? Do you shy away from drugs in favor of natural remedies, or do you want the strongest, most trusted medicines in order to tackle any ailments that pop up? Everyone has a different comfort zone and habits when it comes to managing healthcare, but remember that holistic is best.
This might mean checking out biopuncture with a local naturopathic doctor in addition to seeing your regular acupuncturist. It might mean researching possible all natural remedies for a cold instead of reaching for the Dayquil again. Taking a more comprehensive approach has numerous benefits:
1. Figure Out the Best Care Plan for you
Some things “work” better for certain patients rather than others, but the only way to figure this out is to try. Ideally, you have a team of healthcare professionals who work together to ensure you’re as healthy as possible. It’ll take trial and error, and remember that your body and needs will change as you age.
2. You can’t get it All from One Doctor
Whether it’s a GP, internist, acupuncturist, massage therapist or chiropractor, all healthcare professionals have different specialties. Ideally, your healthcare team works as a unit and respects one another’s work. It’s how you get referrals, but it’s also how you make sure you’re getting the best care from you at all different angles.
3. You Deserve Better Than “good enough”
Just because a certain method or medication seems to work doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. Maybe you’re getting a little too reliant on costly massage therapy, or maybe you just found out the medication you’re taking is linked to Stevens Johnson Syndrome or another frightening complication. You deserve better than mediocre when it comes to your health.
4. You’re Missing Out on Advancements
Your go-to healthcare provider might not be keeping up with the latest research, and it’s your job to be proactive. For example, biopuncture is often thought of as “similar to acupuncture” and can be overlooked. However, they’re wildly different. If you don’t stay proactive and check out new specialists or methods, you might be missing out on a great tool.
Healthcare is a practice, not something that can be perfected. Are you keeping up with your practice, or settling for less than you deserve?