When I was growing up, I remember being taken to the medical doctor for routine shots and I saw the nurse when I skinned my knee.
When I was having difficulty seeing, I was taken to the optometrist.
I got to learn that there were doctors for different conditions such as heart, skin, urinary/bladder, lung, gallbladder etc.
I was instructed to see my medical doctor annually for a “health checkup”. Throughout out my teens, young adult years, seeing the medic once a year, the dentist twice annually and the eye specialist were sufficient to maintain my health, as I knew it. However I started to find that there were certain symptoms whenever they came up were not problematic enough to warrant treatment by the doctor and I was told it was not serious enough for treatment.
In 1986 when I discovered there were other providers for health other than AMA doctors, a whole new world opened up for me. I found out there were Osteopathic Doctors, Chiropractors, Naprapathic Medicine, Doctors of Acupuncture, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, oh my goodness, there were massage therapy, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, movement therapists, social workers, counselors and the list goes on and on.
From 1986 I started to put my health team together.
Medical Doctor – Annual
Dentist – Bi-annual
Optometrist Every 3-5 years
Chiropractor – Quarterly
Massage Therapist – Quarterly
Mental Health Counselor - As needed
As the years went by and I continued to take more and more ownership of my health, my frequency to certain team members changed...
Chiropractor – at least bi-monthly
Acupuncturist – at least bi-monthly
Massage – 1 to 2 weekly
Sauna – bi-monthly
Exercise physiologist – weekly