Own Your Conditions and Be Your Biggest Advocate

The only one who is truly in control of your health is you. Many people like to point the finger at their doctor, but it’s not realistic. You need to be aware of your symptoms, your conditions, and become an advocate for your health. If you don’t think something is right, make an appointment with a doctor or chiropractor and speak up.

Be conscious of your level of health at all times. If you notice some aches and pains, see if they go away after a few days. If they continue to plague you, take action. Many people wait to acknowledge their aches and pains during their annual physical, and at this point, the pain could have been going on for months and significant damage could have arisen from it.
You shouldn’t be in pain. The body was designed to accommodate small injuries and heal quickly. If you are in pain for more than a few days, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. It could be a serious injury to the spine or something else, such as the spine being out of alignment. Adjustments can often be made to help with the misalignments – and can even be used to help with some of the injuries to help promote a faster healing process.
When you are at an appointment with a chiropractor or doctor, speak up. Tell them what is wrong and give them details. The only way a medical professional is going to know about anything is by you being the one to present the facts. If you don’t say anything, it’s not likely that they are going to magically know what’s wrong with you.
Be honest about what’s going on, too. If you have been dealing with pain for a few months or you injured yourself playing football, this needs to be disclosed to the doctor. Don’t worry about being judged. The doctor is there to ensure you get better; so, it is in your best interest to be honest and disclose everything.
If you don’t feel like your doctor or chiropractor is addressing your needs, this is an area where you have to speak up as well. You are your own advocate. If your doctor isn’t willing to try anything new or you have had the same symptoms lingering on and the doctor seems to dismiss them, you may need to locate a new healthcare provider.
You and your healthcare providers need to work hand-in-hand to provide you with solutions that are going to improve your health. If you notice symptoms, they need to be brought to a provider’s attention. If a treatment plan is not working, you need to speak up. Additionally, if the provider is not putting your needs first or not working in conjunction with other providers as part of your overall treatment plan, then it may be necessary to seek another provider who will listen and who will be proactive.