Outside of having an “annual” done, I have not been one to run to the doctor for care. When I thought about "why not", and why others do, I think it had a lot to do with the fact that my mom was a medical technician and didn't run us to the doctor for every little thing; and as an adult, I have had the benefit of being able to call my step-dad, Doc Block, when I need advice. The turn towards seeking a more natural health approach to our health came as a result of the birth of my daughter.
Initially, I did what all new moms do…find out who the best pediatrician was in my area, and pretty much do whatever they said, not questioning anything. Now, before I go any further, I’m not advocating quitting your pediatrician or doctor. What I am saying, is trust your intuition. It is OK to question what they are telling you, and you don’t have to take their answers/instructions as gospel. This, of course, means you have to do your own homework and be your child’s best advocate. I say all of that because of my experience that led me to do the same, and consequently opened my eyes to a more holistic healthcare approach. I also had the support of my step-dad, who is an internist with a cardiology specialty, who also practices integrated medicine.
My daughter started teething at about 10 months, and cut 7 teeth at the same time. She also had chronic ear infections with a snotty nose and low-grade fever during that time. I did what any new mom would, and continually ran her to the doctor, who then prescribed her antibiotics. I specifically remember on one of our visits, asking the doctor if the ear/nose issue that we were trying to alleviate, had anything to do with her teething because I had noticed that they always happened at the same time. He adamantly replied, “not at all, one has nothing to do with the other.” My intuition told me otherwise. This was the first time I questioned what he was telling me. After 3 rounds of different antibiotics with none getting rid of the ear, nose, and cranky baby problems, I was at my wits end.
Around the same time, I met one of my neighbors, a practicing homeopath. I really didn’t know much about any of that, but I told her about my daughter’s ears/teething issues and began consulting with her for my daughter’s health. She took the time and explained the premise of homeopathy (another post…another day), and worked with me in resolving other issues that popped up along her toddler way. Some of those were grinding of teeth at night, night terrors, warts, and regular colds.
By the time she was 18 months old, we had completed her vaccinations (another post…another day), and we no longer went back to the pediatrician. In the meantime, my step-dad had made several trips overseas to continue to learn more natural methods of healthcare and had recommended that I use homeopathic chamomile pills when my daughter cut her two year molars. I continued to work with the homeopath until my daughter was about 5, and only stopped because she moved. Over that time frame, however, she had taught me a lot about the basics and had given me enough tools to be able to treat my daughter homeopathically.
Outside of the required school physicals for sports, we have not been regulars with the medical community, except our chiropractors. Part of the reason also stemmed from being self-insured with high deductibles for several years and consequently, not having the luxury of running to the doctor whenever we wanted. This was a good thing because it prompted me to continue seeking other alternatives for our healthcare.
Consequently, our daughter has been to the doctor for specific reasons (mole checks and strep test) on only two occasions since she was 4. There have been times when it made her nuts that I have made her "wait it out" and “live through it" when she sees her friends running to the doctor for every little thing. Somehow, the our culture has changed from letting the body heal to "hurry up and fix it." What I found funny was that the few times she has been, she didn't understand why we had long such “wait” times when we had a scheduled appointment. “Welcome to the world of medicine honey,” was about all I could muster up as a response.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not anti-doctor or anti-antibiotics…they have their place. For instance, we recently had to have scripts filled for her oral surgery…it was necessary. We used them in conjunction with essential oils and discontinued using them as quickly as possible. We primarily use homeopathy, natural supplements, and essential oils in our healthcare toolbox. If we are sick or at the doctor’s office, it is a rare occasion. I encourage you to consider how you advocate health for your family and to think “out of the box” in managing your healthcare.
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