I find it interesting the number of patients who don't follow-up and keep, at the bare minimum, a yearly standing appointment with me - whether they feel well or not.

Why is it we have to wait for a crisis to make our health a priority?

Even though well patient visits are few and far between, I have to say that they are some of my favourite visits.

Why?

Because I get to know more about you and I can be more specific in my recommendations when you are taking care of the basics on your own.

So here are 5 reasons you should see your naturopath at least once a year, even if you don't feel sick:

1. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - we have all heard this saying but how many of us actually practice it? I can say from my own experience that I was much more diligent about self-care in the last couple years and it has made all the difference. I have people telling me that I actually look younger 😉
2. Almost all test results are no longer valid after a year, some of them much sooner than that - if you really want to know if you are getting better, tracking an objective marker will keep you out of the world of subjective delusion. Re-checking your test results has the positive benefit of showing you that are improving even if you "feel the same" and it will show if you need to make a more consistent effort because you have slid into the camp of wishful thinking.
3. You need a longer (also more expensive) visit after the one year mark - patients who have not seen me for over a year require a one hour follow-up consult instead of just thirty minutes. When that much time as passed a more thorough re-assessment needs to be completed.
4. You are considered a new patient if it has been over two years since your last visit - a lot can happen in two years and often a lot has. But let's be real, I sometimes have people returning to see me after five years or more. There is a lot to catch up on and a new physical exam needs to be completed.
5. There will come a day where I will no longer be accepting new patients - It's sad to say but it is true. I am already limiting the number of new patients visit I can see in a week. I am also contemplating only taking patients who have been referred. Just like you, I only have so many hours in the day and therefore can only be a great doctor to a limited number of people. Don't let years pass by and then be disappointed, upset, or angry that you can't see me because I am no longer taking new patients.

If I haven't seen you yet this year I would love for you to make an appointment.

If you are applying the basics and feel good, great! We can focus less on receiving new information and focus more on applying that information more deeply.

If you aren't applying the basics and don't feel good, great! This is your invitation to take a step in the right direction. If don't get the momentum going in the right direction now you might end up standing in the same spot, or worse, a few years from now.

Now I would love to hear from you! Is there an appointment that you never miss? Is this appointment part of your health prevention plan? Leave a comment below and I'll be back next week with another edition of Doctor as Teacher Tuesday!