ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES?

A few years ago, my wife had a massive stroke. She was fine when she went to bed, but the next morning when she woke up, she was completely changed.

A BRIEF BACKGROUND

At the hospital near our home, the doctors wanted to rush my wife into surgery- before finding out the extent of her problems. I refused to let anyone operate before determining what was going on. Even though I'm a dentist, I have had special training and felt confident in my decisions. Besides, in holistic care, we have a saying, "Find out and treat the cause, don't just treat the symptoms."

Later, the surgeons admitted that if they had operated, as they had wanted to do originally, my wife would not have survived. There were blockages in the blood vessels of her brain they did not know about that would have caused her certain death at surgery.

ARE YOU EVER INSECURE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH CARE?

This situation made me realize how vulnerable most people are when it comes to their own health. Most of us are not really in a position to know what is going on- much less what should be done if there is a problem. We are vulnerable and unprotected.

It is a miserable position to be in!

EVER BEEN BAMBOOZLE OR MISADVISED?

Surfing on the Internet recently, I saw a letter posted to the bulletin board:

"...my dentist insists that only an expensive treatment of gum disease is called for."

Another reader answered the first writer: "Same thing mine says. That only proves they have a standard line of patter, blessed by their equivalent in the AMA."

And a third reader really summed up the entire problem when he responded, "I've heard too many dentists and doctors claim that their way is the only way, that the body can't heal itself, that nutrition has nothing to do with it, that mental state is irrelevant, etc. That is why most of us have started looking for alternative therapies."

DO DOCTORS TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU?

The real value of the Information Superhighway and these discussion groups is their ability to expose us to the broadest range of information. Once we have that, then it is up to us to educate ourselves to the point where we can make intelligent decisions regarding what information we want to accept and incorporate into our belief systems.

I have colleagues who would no more consider recommending Vitamin C to their patients than they would take a gun and hold up a bank. Yet these colleagues are well trained, caring healthcare practitioners who are true in their intent to help mankind.

They aren't trying to take advantage of anyone. It's just that we all believe in what we know. And many of them are not trained to know about Alternative Therapy.

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT!!

Bottom line is that we all must understand there are a number of valid belief systems available for most health concerns. That is why there is no single treatment for cancer, for example.

When people come to me for care, I always try to keep it simple, and find the easiest, least invasive way I know to solve their situation. I also want my patients to know everything that is going on, so each person is given a thorough evaluation, along with a complete diagnosis, and recommendations for treatment, IN WRITING.

My fee also includes a telephone consultation to answer any questions that might remain.

Why do this?

This way, my patients all will be able to know, up front, what needs to be done, how long it will take, what it will cost, what are the priorities, and what are the options- before anything is done to them. This way, they can make intelligent choices and avoid making mistakes.

You see, the final decision must rest with you. YOU have to take responsibility for making it, and you can only do this by becoming informed!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO NOW?

If you like getting explanations first, if the idea of simple therapy and the concept that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" appeals to you, you've found a home.

If you need some help, please call. I'd love to be your dentist.