Who is on your side when it comes to your health? Do you visit a doctor regularly, or only when necessary?

I tend to visit my doctor at the earliest symptom, just because I would rather nip whatever it is in the bud before it has a chance to become something worse. Going to the doctor regularly is the best way to prevent anything from happening. If you wait until there really is a need, you may not receive the best care.

Why not build a team of health professionals who have your best interest in mind before you have a need to do so?  Be proactive in your health to prevent things from happening before they do. Ensure you are engaging in the activities that will promote your long-term health and vitality.

Teaming up with health providers means finding the ones who can help you in various areas of your life. For example, who do you go to for help with exercise? Who do you ask for dietary advice? Do you have someone to talk to about life issues in general? Now, you may not have any health problems at this moment, and that’s great! However, I feel that everyone should have a few people on their team for preventative reasons.

Some people you might want to consider having on your healthcare team are as follows:

1. Primary care physician (PCP): A PCP is great at diagnosing conditions and to see for more serious situations that require medical attention. They can advise you in an emergency. They should have a good bedside manner, understand and listen to you. Many licensed MDs also practice integrative medicine.
2. Naturopathic doctor (ND): These are trained to look for the root cause of a symptom. They can help your body maintain “homeostasis” which is your natural state of balance. Look for someone who understands Western medicine, can supply herbal remedies and understands natural dietary needs. Find a licensed ND here: https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/blog/how-choose-naturopathic-doctor.
3. Chiropractor (DC): Your spine is a junction for your nervous system, with all your nerves running through it. It is common for the sine to become skewed and inflamed, causing nerves to be constricted and malfunctional. Chiropractic care can help maintain spine integrity and optimize body functionality.
4. Personal Trainer (PT): You may not have one of these, but it’s helpful to know someone whom you can ask questions or if you need to change your routine. Look for someone who can apply different training techniques related to your needs.
5. Health Coach: They provide dietary and lifestyle coaching. They should understand that health is more than diet. It also encompasses exercise, lifestyle, spirituality, career and self-esteem.

There are others you may want to add, such as a massage therapist, podiatrist, optometrist, psychologist, yoga or Pilates instructor, and herbalist or acupuncturist. The idea is to choose people who will benefit you in the long run, and help you be as happy and healthy as possible.