FAQ Episode 78: Finding a local integrative minded doc

Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Migraine Relief

Hardly a week goes by that I don’t hear someone (usually asking for an out of town friend or relative) ask me how to find a physician that knows about, considers or uses the ever growing body of healing knowledge that doesn’t fall neatly into the domain of “conventional medicine.”

I’ve been around long enough to hear ‘alternative’, ‘complementary’, ‘holistic’, ‘natural’, or ‘functional’ as adjectives for those in health care who have a science based yet open approach to identifying the perspective, the tools and the patient relationship that takes into account the biological root causes of health problems. These practitioners utilize a range of both drug and non-drug therapy options, as well as considering the “needs of the whole person,” whatever that means. Not to be cynical, but for many this is a throw away term, not the core tenant of optimal health care, as it should be. The healers I’m describing don’t have to be physicians, but it’s true that being able to write a prescription when indicated is a plus.

Where do you find these members of your team?

There are a number of directories for this maverick group of medics, and I’ve listed some of their websites below.¹ Many of these site’s tabs will have a ‘physician locator’ search page. On the other hand, some of us ‘alternative minded docs’ may not be listed in each of these member-oriented sites, and some of us are perennial non-joiners whose names will not be on the rolls. I know I’ve gone through years where I’ve been affiliated with several, one or none of these groups.

Here’s my favorite method of referral to find an integrative minded physician.

A scheme that works well for my patients if they move, or are looking for such a doctor for a distant family member is to find a nearby compounding pharmacy. This can also work for you locally. Just do an online search for “compounding pharmacy near (zip code or town name, state).”

Because they fill the individualized and compounded prescriptions that we often write for our patients, these pharmacists know who in the local medical community is most likely to be proficient with the the general philosophy, evaluation, testing and therapy options we often discuss in these blog posts.

If you can find one of these pharmacies nearby, stop by and meet their compounding pharmacist in person. These professionals can be a fount of useful information on local resources.

It would be nice if finding the right professionals, your most accurate diagnosis and the best therapy options was quick and easy. Sigh… it rarely is. But give this tip a try and let’s see what you turn up!.

1. Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine https://aihm.org/

Alliance for Natural Health https://anh-usa.org/

American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine https://www.a4m.com/

American College for the Advancement of Medicine https://www.acam.org/

American Academy of Environmental Medicine https://www.aaemonline.org/

Foundation for Alternative and Integrative Medicine https://www.faim.org/

Holistic Dental Association https://holisticdental.org/

Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding https://a4pc.org/

International College of Integrative Medicine https://www.icimed.com/

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine https://www.nccih.nih.gov/

If you know of an useful resource I’ve omitted, mention it in the comments and I’ll add it here. Thanks.