When you’re looking for a holistic medicine practitioner, there are many things to consider. You want someone who will listen to your concerns and explain what they’re doing, but you also want them to understand your whole health picture. Here are some tips for finding just the right fit:
Find someone who listens to you.
The most important part of the healing process is listening. Listening is a skill that can be learned, and it’s one that will help you improve your life in so many ways. It allows you to communicate better, solve problems more efficiently, build relationships with others more effectively and develop trust with your doctor or therapist–all things that are necessary for holistic health care practices like functional medicine.
If you’re looking for someone who listens well and has those skills listed above (communicating effectively; problem solving; building relationships), then look no further than Dr. [Dr’s Name]!
Find someone who explains what they’re doing and why.
When it comes to your health, you deserve to understand what’s going on and why. Your doctor should be able to clearly explain their diagnosis and treatment plan. Ask questions like:
- How will you help me?
- What are the goals of this treatment plan?
- What do I need to do at home or in between visits (for example, diet changes or exercise routines)?
You may also want to ask about how often you’ll meet with them and whether there are other resources available for support as well as referrals for specialists who can provide more specialized care if necessary.
Find a practitioner who’s interested in your overall health.
Functional medicine practitioners are not just interested in treating your symptoms. They’re also concerned with the root causes of disease and how they can be prevented or reversed. That means you should find someone who’s willing to take a holistic approach to your health–they’ll want to learn more about how you live, what kind of lifestyle choices you make, and what factors may have contributed to your current condition.
The practitioner should be able to explain why they recommend certain treatments over others (for example: “I think this probiotic will help you because…”). And they should be able to explain how their recommendations will improve the overall functioning of your body so that it can heal itself naturally from within (rather than relying solely on medication).
Know that functional medicine is not considered mainstream.
Functional medicine is a new field of medicine, and it’s not yet considered mainstream. However, it’s gaining popularity as more people become aware that traditional medical practices don’t always work for everyone. Functional medicine focuses on identifying and treating the root cause(s) of illness or disease rather than just treating symptoms with medications. It takes into account all aspects of your health–including diet and exercise habits–to provide personalized care for optimal wellness.
It’s important to note that no one practitioner can offer everything you may need during this time in your life; therefore we recommend seeking out multiple providers who specialize in different aspects of holistic healing (for example: nutritionists/dietitians; acupuncturists; chiropractors).
Ask about the practitioner’s education and training, including their specialty.
When you’re interviewing potential practitioners, ask about their education and training. Ideally, they should have a doctoral degree (i.e., DO or MD) in functional medicine from an accredited institution. If they don’t have such a degree, ask them what type of certification they hold–and make sure it’s relevant to your needs.
When interviewing practitioners, also ask about their specialty areas; for example: “What do you specialize in?” This can help determine if the practitioner is qualified to treat your condition or condition symptoms effectively.* You may also want to ask how long they have been practicing as well as whether there are any limitations on which conditions or ages groups they can treat.*
Then, check their references.
Next, ask for references from former patients. You can also ask for testimonials from past clients or even a list of former patients you can contact. It’s important to talk with these people and see what they have to say about their experience with your prospective practitioner.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a functional medicine practitioner in Minneapolis, it’s important to find someone who is right for you. It can be overwhelming to sift through all the options out there, but this guide should help narrow down your search and make it easier on both of us!
