One of my colleagues suggested that I write a blog about what questions should you ask to find reputable holistic practitioner or alternative practitioner. I thought this was a great topic to talk about.
There are so many types of practitioners that focus on holistic there a few simple ways to make sure you are choosing the most knowledgeable practitioner. The first step in finding a good practitioner is to ask doctors that you trust.
For example, I have relationships with conventional medical and mental health doctors who will refer patients to me because they trust my training and patient care skills. This is a great option because we share information to support patient’s health.
If your doctor is not aware of alternative practices or doesn’t recommend alternative practitioners I would recommend contacting the national or local associations for the type of doctor you are looking for and ask them for a list of practitioners. These organizations will only recommend people that have passed the licensing requirements or are in good standing in the state.
I have found three examples where you can go to there websites and find a doctor:
Naturopathic doctor - http://naturopathic.org
Chiropractic doctor - http://www.acatoday.org/search/memsearch.cfm
Acupuncture - http://www.nccaom.org
Once you have found a practitioner that you want to visit, call the office and ask to talk to the practitioner or the assistant about the practice. All the alternative practices that I know have an assistant or the doctor themselves that will be willing to talk about what types of services that practice provides.
If you have a special condition or concern the practitioner will answer questions before you make an appointment so you will feel comfortable about coming in the office. During this call you can ask questions like how long as the practitioner been in practice are their special treatments or diseases that the practitioner treats often.
You can ask if the practitioner has ever treated or diagnosed your symptoms. Asking if the practitioner has relationships with conventional doctors in case you need a referral is helpful too. Asking if the practitioner is part of their local or national association gives information about credentials as well.
After your conversation with the practitioner or the practitioner’s office, assess how you feel about the office. If you feel like the office answered your questions and you are comfortable about your visit, then that is a good sign this might be a good practitioner for you.
This is true for any doctor or practitioner that you see, conventional or alternative. You have to feel like you can trust the person who is making recommendations about your health.
If you don’t think they are listening to you or taking your health concerns seriously then you should not continue in care with them. In times when there is so much assess to health information, it is important that all your doctors and practitioners make you an equal part of your health care team!
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Sources:
"American Association of Naturopathic Physicians." American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2011. http://naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=59
"ACA - The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) - Representing doctors of chiropractic (chiropractors)- ." ACA - The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) - Representing doctors of chiropractic (chiropractors)- . N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2011.
http://www.acatoday.org/search/memsearch.cfm
"NCCAOM - The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine." NCCAOM - The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2011.
http://www.nccaom.org
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who treats the whole person using safe and effective combinations of traditional and natural methods to produce optimal health and well-being in the lives of her patients.
Reviewed September 27, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith