Finding a doctor in Mississippi may appear to be a daunting task. Just flip open a metro phone book and look at the hundreds of listings under physicians alone. However, if a person person follows some simple rules and methods, he may weed out a lot of useless information, whether he is seeking a doctor on the Gulf Coast, in the Jackson area or even in the mountains in the northern part of the state.
Finding a General Physician
Whether it is fighting a cold or needing advice on an achy shoulder, any venture into the medical work should start with a general physician. A general physician diagnoses early problems, prescribes remedies or refers a person to a specialist. One of the quickest ways to find a doctor in the state is to consult the Mississippi State Medical Association, which serves as a database for all licensed doctors in the state by specialty and county located. The Mississippi Public Health Association recommends that people seek the advice of friends, co-workers and other medical professionals when trying to find the right fit for a doctor.
Finding a Sports Therapist
Some injuries will require more extensive rehabilitation. This means weeks or months of physical rehabilitation for things such as broken ankles or damaged knee ligaments. The start of the process likely will begin with a doctor referral to a physical therapist or going through the yellow pages for a number. One of the keys is finding the right physical or sports therapist. Ask a potential sports therapist to tell you all the steps of the rehabilitation process; ask about qualifications and success rates. Ask if you will be working directly with the sports therapist during the therapy, or if you will be working with an untrained assistant. Check to see if the potential therapist has a doctor's license, because not every therapist will have one. The American Physical Therapy Association is a good place to look for answers on accreditation and skills.
Finding a Nutritionist
Many times the path to a healthier lifestyle may lead through the world of nutrition. A person may run five miles a day, swim three times a week and do a 35-mile bike ride along the Biloxi coast on a Saturday, yet still have the energy of a half-warm bowl of grits. That could be due to a bad eating plan. Many people will consult a nutritionist or dietitian to help them find the proper eating habits to maximize workouts. Consult with the Mississippi Dietetic Association to find a list of nutritionists in the state.
Finding a Chiropractor
Sometimes a person will suffer an injury running or cycling that needs some special work. Many people will seek a chiropractor, who can alleviate injuries through a series of pain-relief exercises. Most chiropractors will start the first visit with X-rays, physical exams and consultation. Relief, corrective and wellness care may take several days to several months, depending on the extent of injury. Contacting the Mississippi Chiropractic Association is a good way to start the process of finding a chiropractor. Potential patients should also seek advice from a primary care physician before seeking chiropractic care.
Finding a Surgeon
One of the last places a person want to go is a surgeon, because that means her injury needs some major repairs. While surgery may seem scary, the process of finding a surgeon is not. The Mississippi State Medical Association has a large list of surgeons categorized by specialty and county.
Member Comments