The goal of this series is to get you to consider the source of your ongoing symptoms after Lyme-N has killed your spirochetes and assist in finding treatments that may help. So I won't get too deep into all the details of what each type of practitioner does, and this is by no means and exhaustive list. I just want to share my personal experiences with some types of practitioners. Then I will provide links where you can look more in depth at what each practitioner does.
In the coming posts, you will see there are not many fancy or expensive therapies I have tried such as ozone or rife machines. Not because I didn't want to, but those options don't exist in Roseburg. For specialized care like that and for any major treatments I have to go an hour and half away to Eugene. I was too sick for too long to even consider driving hours regularly for a treatment, not to mention that it was just not in the budget.
Also, as the series progresses, if you have suggestions or would even like to contribute a story about a type of practitioner you have used that helped you, please let me know. I would be happy to have some 'guest' bloggers. I will have to have you email your content to me and I will post with credit to you.
The Artists
I want start this series by encouraging you to think about all practitioners as individual artists rather than a group such as "MDs", "Naturalpaths" or "Chiropractors". By lumping them all into one group, you often throw the baby out with the bathwater and may miss an opportunity to find the perfect person (individual) that ends up helping you tremendously. For instance, if you had a very bad experience with a Chiropractor, you may be tempted to feel that all Chiropractors are useless and that you have 'tried that already'. Keep an open mind: That was just not the right individual for you and the next Chiropractor can be a totally different experience. Or perhaps you need a different kind of practitioner, such as a Licensed Massage Therapist or Rolfer.
Think of practitioners as artists. Someone who studies art can look at certain paintings and know immediately who painted them. That is because every artist has a unique style. Their work is an expression of who they are. Some may be depressed, some excited or angry. Maybe some lose interest and do a poor job finishing their painting. I am a sculptor and have been for 25 years. I am involved in the model horse hobby and do collect certain other sculptors' work. I see this individual style expressed even more clearly in sculpture.
Personality matters. If you asked 20 artists to paint the exact same scene, the paintings would all look very, very different. The same goes for practitioners. People who love what they do and give 110% to every patient and situation will make all the difference. Some Chiropractors are not skilled, are lazy, perhaps have something personal that interferes with their work, etc. Others are very committed, focused and love what they do. They truly want to help. Finding that person may take some 'interviewing'.
Let me say up front: Searching for Prince Charming is a crapshoot and you may have to kiss a lot of frogs. You could end up trying many types of treatment for quite some time before you get the practitioner and the relief you need. Hunting down the root of symptoms is not for sissies. And it can get expensive. As you can imagine, many of the people that can help the most are not covered by insurance, don't bill your insurance or maybe you just don't even have insurance to begin with.
Also, I learned long ago not to stick with something that is not working. When I see a practitioner for the first time, I am interviewing them. Not in an obvious way, but I do have questions about care and I pay close attention to how they answer those questions. Not just the words, but how much thought they put into their responses. You can learn a lot about someone if you ask the right questions and pay attention to their personalities during their answers. If their answers are short and unsatisfying, if they seem impatient or you get the feeling they are annoyed by your questions, fire them. Doctors especially should have the heart of a teacher.
Don't feel obligated just because you visited someone once and perhaps they are pressuring you to make another appointment to do so. (Ahem... Chiropractors...Wow, I had some bad ones...) One thing I never understood was people that kept seeing a practitioner that was not helping them, was not listening to them, or that they just did not feel had their best interests as the #1 priority. They are working for YOU. You are the employer, they are the employee. I often use the term "I fired that doctor". Don't feel bad about firing an employee that you are paying hundreds of dollars per hour if they are failing at their job. Move on to the next practitioner~ YOUR time and money are of the essence!
So pucker up! It's time to start kissing some frogs....