The Importance of a Comprehensive Consultation: A Path to True Healing & Foot Health

The Importance of a Comprehensive Consultation: A Path to True Healing & Foot Health

In today’s fast-paced world of healthcare, it’s easy to get caught up in treating symptoms and chasing quick fixes. As a podiatrist and foot and ankle specialist who integrates podiatric care with functional and holistic medicine, I’ve noticed a recurring issue when patients reach out to me. Many have already decided what treatment they need, acting as if they are their own physician. While I deeply respect a patient’s desire to take control of their health, I believe there’s something lost in this approach.

When a patient comes to me, they are suffering—whether it’s pain, discomfort, or something else, they are looking for relief. But by focusing solely on the treatment they believe is necessary, they often overlook the importance of understanding the root cause of their condition. This is where the value of a comprehensive consultation comes into play. Without this foundational step, we risk going full force in the wrong direction, addressing symptoms rather than the underlying issue.

Over the years, healthcare has increasingly become about speed and efficiency, particularly in insurance-driven models. Patients are often shuffled in and out of appointments, receiving treatment plans based on 15-minute consultations. While this may seem efficient on the surface, it strips away the compassion, creativity, and time needed to truly understand what’s going on with a patient’s health. The result? Treatments that act like Band-Aids, covering up problems rather than addressing them at the root. This approach can lead to recurring issues and frustrated patients who feel stuck in a cycle of temporary relief rather than lasting health.

Why I Focus on Finding the Cause, Not Just Treating Symptoms

When a patient calls me with a specific request, my first step is to gently redirect the conversation. I listen carefully, acknowledging their concerns, but I also remind them that I’m the specialist. My role is not to simply carry out orders; it’s to dive deeper and help them find the true source of their problem. Without this deeper investigation, we might miss critical information, and the treatment could fail to provide lasting relief.

A comprehensive consultation goes beyond addressing the immediate symptoms. I take time to understand the full picture, both in terms of podiatric health and the holistic and functional aspects of the patient’s life. I remind my patients that their condition likely didn’t develop overnight, so they shouldn’t expect results overnight either. Real healing takes time, and the key is to make steady, meaningful progress. This is the slight edge—small improvements that, over time, lead to lasting change. By finding the root cause, we reduce the likelihood of recurring problems and set a foundation for long-term health.

You Are Part of the Healthcare Team

One of the most important messages I share with my patients is that they are an active and essential part of their healthcare team. Yes, I bring my expertise in podiatry, holistic medicine, and functional medicine, but my patients bring a unique wisdom about their own bodies. It’s my job to help them decode that wisdom, to listen deeply, and to create a treatment plan that addresses not just the symptoms but the cause of their discomfort.

Our society tends to be hyper-focused on quick fixes, often treating only the symptoms without addressing the underlying issues. Unfortunately, this can leave patients stuck in a cycle of suffering and frustration. They may get temporary relief but find that their problems keep returning. I believe this happens because we, as healthcare providers, have not taken the time to truly coach and educate patients about what’s going on with their bodies.

In my practice, I emphasize the importance of the comprehensive consultation because it lays the groundwork for real, lasting health. It allows me to step back and look at the whole picture—podiatric, functional, and holistic medicine combined—so we can work together to find the root cause of your issue and solve it in a way that promotes long-term wellness.

I don’t want to be just another cog in the machine, pushing patients through a system that only scratches the surface of their health concerns. I want to help you understand what’s really going on and, together, find solutions that will lead to lasting relief and improvement. That journey begins with a comprehensive consultation, where we take the time to understand your condition fully, build a solid foundation, and work towards a solution that treats the cause, not just the symptoms.

If you’re ready to start that journey, I’m here to help.

 Dr. Cynthia Correa Cedeno, founder of Orange Sky Podiatry.

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