Yes, It's already been 7 years this month since I started writing this article for The Sonoran News! I've been a former health radio talk show host in Sedona, a columnist for one of the Sedona newspapers, a regular nutritional specialist guest for The Morning Scramble on Prescott's Channel 7, and a guest multiple times on Channel 3. Writing this article has been one of the most rewarding of all. My readers call my North Scottsdale AZ chiropractic office, and come in regularly. Most report that they've been reading my column for years, and even share my articles with friends and family all over the country and beyond. It's really become a warm and friendly community here for me to share my knowledge, and research that I do regularly for this column. Thank you to all my readers for following me for all of these years. Without you, I would not be celebrating my 7th anniversary this month!

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Things I Have Learned In North Scottsdale AZ

Some of the things I have learned, is that like the title of my article says, it's "The other side of your health story." So many patients visit their doctor and are told only the Western Medical side of the story. This generally involves injections, including steroids, pain medicines and more. It also may be focused on surgical intervention. Of course, life-threatening conditions require surgery but I'm talking about elective musculoskeletal surgeries that may be avoided with science-based alternative regenerative treatments with little or no dangerous side effects.

In many cases, I've heard that patients have nowhere to turn once the surgeon walks out of the room when the patient refuses surgery. This is very sad. It's sad, because the doctor does not know about other treatments that do work. I cannot understand why a physician is unable to learn how to refer to another specialty if their patient refuses their surgical procedure.

In the college in Illinois, where I received my doctorate, I was trained as a primary care physician, or a PCP. Our college was affiliated with Loyola Scritch School of Medicine. I was taught to know when to refer to other specialties that may help the patient when necessary. All good PCPs should be trained to do so.

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So What Are Patients Today Looking For?

What I've learned over the years is that they want to be told the truth. They also want viable alternatives that are safer than drugs and surgery. Now that we're talking about alternative therapies, let's talk about appropriate channels to go down to be assured that you are going in the right direction.

Something I learned practicing in Sedona for 14 years, is that there are many alternative treatments out there. Some are legitimate, some are not. Regardless of what you chose out there, I always say, "Go in with your eyes wide open." What I've seen over the last 29 years in practice, is that some practitioners will talk patients out of diagnostic testing, or not require them. Yes, I agree, some tests are counterproductive for healing, however there are other methods of testing that may give the similar results without the toxic side effects.

The bottom line is….Please get your testing done to see what you are treating. In so many cases back in Sedona, and here in the valley, I've seen patients go to alternative practitioners, and become worse, or even die because they did not find out what their condition actually was. Please please please, have your diagnostic testing done to determine what condition you have. Then make your own choice along with your doctor as to what treatments you will have. It is so difficult when a patient has been treated for some time and has never even had a simple X-Ray. Once I finally order one, we actually see what their condition is and has been, in many cases untreated for many years, and what their treatment plan will be.

If I could sum this up, I would say that please "Go in with your eyes wide open." Whether it's with your diagnostic tests, or treatment, please know what your practitioner is doing. If a practitioner is not ordering diagnostics, insist that they do. If they do not, it is your responsibility to find someone who will. The consequences may or may not be the best outcome.

If you or anyone you know, would like to have a primary or secondary opinion, please call my office for a complimentary consultation. I promise I will do my best to be sure you get the correct diagnostics to help me to diagnose and support your body to heal at its best.

For any questions, please call my office for a complimentary consultation.

Leisa-Marie Grgula. DC
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Medical Wellness Center
18261 N. Pima Rd. Ste. #115
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
(480) 584-3955