Routine, regular health care is the very best way to stay on top of your health. If your physician, PA or nurse-practitioner has seen you during routine exams, they’re more likely to understand any complaints you have.

Before you visit your doctor, take a minute to prepare:

• round up all your medications and write down name and dosage. If you use a regular pharmacy for all your meds, they can give you a printout.
• note any supplements, like herbs or vitamins
• start a list of questions for your doctor, or issues you want to bring up. Don’t rely on your memory. Make a list of complaints, what you’ve noticed, or problem areas.
• If your doc has exercises or suggestions, write them down, do them for the suggested period, then followup. If your back pain should ease with stretching, and you do the routine faithfully and it doesn’t help, take the next step.

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