Why Holistic Providers Help Women Become Better Advocates for Their Health

More and more women feeling disillusioned, discomforted and disheartened by our healthcare system. Honestly, there isn't a day that goes back that I don't hear some type of frustration around the level of care someone is receiving. Many are frustrated by insurance, but even worse, they don't feel listened to or are afraid to speak up if they don't get the care they need. That's why?many women?are turning to what I like to call holistic, alternative, preventative and independent (HAPI) practitioners.

HAPI practitioners can help women get more in touch and in tune with their bodies so that they trust their ability to heal themselves, or at minimum better communicate their symptoms and concerns more clearly and confidently so when they go to a doctor they can get the best care possible.?

Or, if they get a diagnosis that requires a change in diet or lifestyle, they can turn to nutritionists, coaches, and other practitioners to help them move through the emotional and behavioral challenges that are at the root of creating healthy habits and a healthy mindset.

The Women's Wellness Exchange recently hosted a panel discussion on women's health in Exeter, New Hampshire. Four panelists presented their opinions and ideas about how women are treated and cared for in our healthcare system. We looked at the misinformation and confusion around hormonal health, as well as how important it is for women to be advocates for their health, no matter which path they choose. (There will be a free live panel on the same topic on March 12th. Click here to learn more: https://www.womenswellnessxchange.com/womens-health)

The panelists agreed that HAPI providers play an essential role in empowering women to be better advocates for their health.

Holistic providers help bridge the gap between a very masculine medical system that focuses on treating disease and a holistic system with many modalities of healing that offers support and tools to help people prevent disease and empowers women to be more inspired, accountable and enlivened to take better care of their bodies.? ?

Practitioners Victoria Kirby, Samantha Yeaton,?Andrea Paquette, and Naomi Major shared their ideas and experience working with women to address some of the frustrations they hear about the lack of good information about hormonal health and the healthcare system in general. Both Victoria and Andrea are nurses who found they couldn’t provide the level of care they wanted in the healthcare system, so they left and started their own businesses so they could look at the whole picture.

Victoria, a functional nurse practitioner, "When I meet with a client, I encourage them to advocate for themselves and their needs. No one should ever feel "afraid" to see their providers. And, you should never leave feeling ashamed. Your relationship with your Primary Care Provider should feel like a partnership. You should always feel like you have a voice and feel comfortable sharing.”?

Samantha Yeaton shared that many women are stressed out and depleted and that for many women it starts after they have a baby and they don't get the support that they need. "Women carry a huge mental load," she said. This is a critical time when women need to speak up and get the support they need both in the healthcare system and out.

I asked the panelists how HAPI providers can help empower women to be better advocates for their health, whether they are going to an MD, ND, holistic health coach, functional medicine practitioner, acupuncturist or energy worker

Here are some of the ways we discussed:

?Validation:?Many women feel disempowered and disheartened by a healthcare system that they don't feel listens to them or gives them the time to really find out what's going on. As holistic providers and humans, we need to validate their concerns, help them speak up, and get the support they need.

Call it out: If someone shares a story of how they were mistreated or ignored or are not receiving the care they should tell them that that is unacceptable. No one should have to put up with subpar care or worry if they speak out that their health level of care will be jeopardized. Being the squeaky wheel is okay when your health is at stake. Women should feel like practitioners are partners. If they don't, they should find someone else.??

Stay in your lane:?There are many modalities of healing. The more knowledgeable we are on the types of support available and discerning what would be most helpful, the more we can point people on the right path for their unique journey. If it's not your expertise, stay in your lane and refer out. Make sure to check out our virtual Women's Wellness Center to find HAPI providers.?

Recognize you are a leader:?When you start a business, it means you have something to say. People are hungry for authentic stories and connection. Use your business as a platform to share your WHY and your mission. Your point of view is important. Our collective voices will sound louder when we all rise up and this is what people need to hear to have more courage and confidence to stand up for themselves.?

As a wellness practitioner, you are part of a collective of women who are forging the way for a new paradigm around wellness. You are helping people become more accountable for their own bodies.?

We need to remember that it's not easy for people to go against a current that doesn't make it easy and a healthcare system is built on the premise that healthcare is about fixing disease and not preventing it.

Let’s keep building bridges and helping women transition through all the health challenges they face throughout their lives as their needs and bodies change. There's no right or wrong. But, we have to make educated choices and feel more confident and worthy to get the best care possible.

The Women’s Wellness Exchange is a community of HAPI providers. We support, connect and promote HAPI practitioners through our membership community.

Want to be part of our live Women's Health Forum on March 12 to discuss how we can be better advocates for women's health? RSVP for free to join the discussion and be part of the solution: https://www.womenswellnessxchange.com/womens-health

Looking for a holistic practitioner to support you? Visit our?Women’s Wellness Center.

If you're a practitioner and need some support, don't go it alone! Download our free guide to get:?Low Risk, Low Budget, & High Impact Ways to Build a Solid Support Team. Click here: https://files.constantcontact.com/ba65813b001/31ea16a3-851e-441c-9d96-e51d54786557.pdf