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How to Make Your M.D. into a Natural-Healing Doctor |
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Natural Doctor |
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Not everyone has access to a naturopathic physician. Only some states license them; only some insurance pays for them. The next
best thing is to convert your own medico into one. Or, at least come as close as possible. Here are some hints:
1. Pick a workable doctor. How do you know if a
doctor is workable? Interview them. I screen any physician I am thinking of
consulting with. Since there may actually be a charge for this “initial
consultation,” I carry this out by asking the office manager, nurse or
assistant to please relay these three questions to the doctor: First: “I take vitamin supplements. How
do you feel about that?” Second: “I feel that my doctor should
work with me, but that I am in charge of my health. Is this compatible with
your philosophy of care?” Third: “I choose to decline
immunizations. Are you willing to accept this viewpoint?”
If the doctor agrees to all three position
statements, you are in business. If not, keep looking. Be prepared to spend
a great deal of time time on this process. It pays off. 2. Not all doctors that openly
promote themselves as “holistic,” “alternative” or “complimentary” will be as
advertised. Lip-service
to a natural philosophy is not the same as actually prescribing a fast for
obesity or treating bronchitis with vitamin C. Hiring a doctor requires
an in-depth evaluation which only personal experience can provide. Word
of mouth is a way to capitalize on others’ experience with this doctor.
Ask around. 3. Make it easy for your doctor: Stay healthy. Eat right. Do not smoke. Avoid
alcohol. No illegal drugs. Diet if you need to. Keep fit. Show that you take
care of yourself. As you brush your teeth before visiting the dentist,
present as healthy a body as possible when you visit the doctor. My GP and I have a deal: I stay well, and she stays happy. While she has virtually no background in nutrition, she knows that I do and that's fine with her. She will authorize
any tests I ask for, and is easy to talk with. It took me a long time (decades) to find a doctor like her. So I make a point to be responsible and continually make the best behavior choices I can. 4. Do your homework. Prepare your case before you go in
for an office visit. Look up your ailment in the Merck Manual.
You will there learn what the conventional medical approach to such an
illness is. Then read up on the alternatives. I have reviewed a number of the best natural health books at http://www.doctoryourself.com. Just do a site search for "book review" (and then ignore all the advertising webpages choices thrown in by Google).
There is no substitute for being well informed. 5. If you need a diagnosis, get one. Be responsible.
Use technology. Listen to what your doctor has to say, but do not DO it until
you complete step 4, above. 6. Use the “suggestive
selling” technique. Suggest
a natural alternative to any medical treatment you may be offered. Or,
instead of an either-or choice, suggest “both.” Know what you want and see
that you get it. 7. Look at your situation from the doctor’s
perspective. If you were
legally bound and professionally constrained to the extent that most
physicians are, how would you react to a know-it-all upstart patient that
marched in to your office and began to dictate terms? To avoid a
defensive physician, avoid backing your doctor into any corners. Instead,
bring along materials written by other physicians who treat naturally.
These may be in the form of journal papers, published treatment plans
(protocols), excerpts from books, and highlighted articles. If such-and-such
a doctor already does it successfully, it takes the pressure off your doctor
in trying it with you. Ask for a “therapeutic trial.” 8. Try the “Good Cop, Bad Cop”
approach: Offer to sign a
paper stating that you will not sue the doctor if the natural treatment you
request is not successful. At the same time, subtly point out that a patient
could sue if the doctor refused a patient’s natural treatment request.
9. Half a pie is always better than none. Your doctor does not have
to meet you 100% on every issue. It is generally sufficient to
hear any of the following phrases, which commonly indicate an open-minded
physician: “Vitamins aren’t likely to do you any harm.”
10. Doctors love to be told that “their”
therapy is successful. Provide your doctor with maximum positive
feedback and, whenever appropriate, tell him/her that you are feeling
great. You are likely to be rewarded with, “Whatever you are doing,
keep doing it.” That is the sweet sound of self-reliant success.
Copyright C 2019, 2003 and
prior years by Andrew W. Saul. Andrew Saul is the author of the books FIRE
YOUR DOCTOR! How to be Independently Healthy (reader reviews at http://www.doctoryourself.com/review.html
) and DOCTOR YOURSELF: Natural Healing that Works. (reviewed at http://www.doctoryourself.com/saulbooks.html
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AN IMPORTANT NOTE: This page is not in any way offered as prescription, diagnosis nor treatment for any disease, illness, infirmity or physical condition. Any form of self-treatment or alternative health program necessarily must involve an individual's acceptance of some risk, and no one should assume otherwise. Persons needing medical care should obtain it from a physician. Consult your doctor before making any health decision. Neither the author nor the webmaster has authorized the use of their names or the use of any material contained within in connection with the sale, promotion or advertising of any product or apparatus. Single-copy reproduction for individual, non-commercial use is permitted providing no alterations of content are made, and credit is given. |
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