Time well spent
When I started working with Dr. Wright, I had absolutely no background in alternative medicine. But in the years since, I've learned more from him than I ever imagined possible (without getting a specialized degree, anyway). And I'm not the only one who's learned quite a bit. You see, I tend to pass along my knowledge on to my family and friends—whether they ask for it or not. Some of them are more receptive than others, but even the people who are interested in natural therapies often cite one big drawback in making the switch from mainstream to alternative medicine: They have no idea where to start. Granted, finding a physician skilled in natural medicine isn't quite the same as choosing a mainstream primary care physician. The main reason being that there's no pre-established directory doled out by insurance companies of "approved" doctors, which is, let's be honest, how many people wind up with their doctors: The old "close your eyes and point" method. But while many people feel limited by their so-called options, that shouldn't be an excuse for continuing to see a physician you're not comfortable with or accepting treatments you'd rather not take or undergo. Even medical professionals advise against this sort of "grin and bear it" attitude about health care. According to one health care professional interviewed by the New York Times recently "I hear so many patients tell me they really don't like their doctor or trust their doctor but they keep going back. That is ridiculous. This is one of the most important relationships you're ever going to have—you need to feel completely comfortable." And finding a doctor you do feel completely comfortable with may take some time and effort. There are many resources for finding natural medicine practitioners in your area (I've listed the ones we refer to in Nutrition & Healing at the end of this message). When you find alternative doctors in your area, take some time to talk to as many of them as you can: Don't choose one simply because he or she is the closest to your home. Instead, focus on finding a doctor who you feel you can trust and who will best work with you to treat your specific needs. Again, it may not be the quickest venture, but any time invested in your health is time well spent. American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM)
(800)532-3688
www.acam.org American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM)
(316)684-5500
www.aaem.com American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
(866)538-2267
www.naturopathic.org International College of Integrated Medicine (ICIM)
(866)464-5226
www.icimed.com Source:
"You can find Dr. Right, with some effort," The New York Times (www.nytimes.com), 9/30/08 | 
