I am the type of person that avoids going to the doctor. This is actually quite funny to me as I wanted to be a doctor when I was growing up. I have also enjoyed hospitals whenever I go to one, as long as I’m not the patient.

When I was in my early 20’s, I worked on the ambulance as an EMT, and I was a certified phlebotomist although I never got a job as such because I got pregnant with my oldest while I was getting that certification.

Today I went to the doctor with my husband who is having back issues. The doctor said something he thought he’d never hear come out of a doctors mouth. She noticed he didn’t take any medication, and was aware that he rarely goes to the doctor. She was impressed and said that the longer you can avoid the doctors office, and the medications specifically, the better your overall health will be.

Now, obviously there are good reasons to take medications, and you should never stop taking medications you’re on without consulting with your doctor, but have you watched TV recently? The side effects of the meds are almost worse than whatever is being treated. I also worked in a pharmacy years ago, and I also know that the medication interactions, if not closely monitored, can be really bad, even deadly.

The other thing the doctor told him that he was a bit surprised by, was that they would try physical therapy first. She said that it’s best to also avoid surgeries for as long as possible in life. I was relieved. I think he was a bit relieved, except for the part where she said he would have to do the exercises for the rest of his life to avoid a recurring problem.

I think we live in an a society that always wants a quick fix. Even though surgery would seem like the easier option in the long run, the surgery, especially the one he would have to have, would only alleviate the issue for so long, and then it would transfer further along in his back and he’d be back in surgery every 3-5 years.

The physical therapy, while it must be done everyday, actually strengthens and alleviates the problem in a more permanent manner, that will leave him ultimately healthier and probably more fit in more ways than surgery could accomplish.

I don’t really mind doctors. But, I do try to avoid them as much as possible in a professional setting. I have several friends who are doctors, and they are great people. There are things we do go to the doctor for, like infections, and things we might need antibiotics for. But overall, I think eating healthy and staying active have been the best medicine in our case. I realize it’s not that way for everyone, but I’m grateful that it’s been that way for us overall. And now I’ve heard it directly from a doctor as well!