Sometimes we need to call a plumber.

I happen to be quite handy. I can repair many of the different problems that come with homeownership. There have been leaks, electrical issues, all sorts of damage. I even rebuilt my oil burner before converting it to gas. I feel pretty good about being able to handle most of the heavy lifting at home. 

But sometimes I need an expert—someone who really knows the ins and outs of a certain problem. I didn’t put solar panels on my roof and tie them into the main electrical panel. I definitely didn’t want to sweat the pipes for my whole-house water filter system. If I had tried to do the bathroom tile myself, it probably would have taken months and not ended up nice and straight; in fact, it would have cost me time and money. I wanted it done quickly and correctly, so I hired a professional with a great reputation. He was highly recommended.

Finding What Works

I experimented with my body and health, as many people do, before I devoted my life to the art and science of healing. During my schooling I bought, tried and experimented with so many different supplements, herbs and preparations, trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.

I realized how much quality matters. I learned the difference between high-grade, powerful clinical herbs and . . . honestly, junk. 

I also tried many forms of treatment and technologies from different practitioners. Finding someone who truly knows what they’re doing can be hard. Sometimes I would use one chiropractor for my neck and another for my low back, because they were just better at those areas. And as most doctors know, we often need someone on the outside to take an honest, objective look at us. We can’t always figure ourselves out.

‘Experience and Insight’

Nothing is more important than our health. Our level of vitality and energy can truly have a make-or-break impact on our lives. If all four wheels on our car were damaged, we would find the finances to fix it. Yet for some reason when it’s our health in disrepair, we wait. Or we hope a magic prescription will make the problem disappear forever. 

Many people think they can be their own professional when it comes to supplementation—they just grab something from CVS, Costco, or even Amazon. Other people decide they can solve their digestive problems by simply eliminating some foods, only to get frustrated with the results. They don’t need a professional to tell them to stop eating gluten or dairy. But to figure out why they can’t digest those things, they probably do. 

Finding out why our body might not be managing all of its functions with perfect harmony takes experience, insight, and work. We all deserve that. 

Just because we have all the lumber to build a house doesn’t mean we have the tools or the know-how to do it. Sometimes we need a helping hand, and that’s OK. To make a radical shift in our health and well-being, a good first step is to find a professional: an experienced highly recommended functional medicine practitioner. 

David L Pollack, DC, is the owner of Pollack Wellness Institute, located at 66 Commack Rd., #204,

Commack, NY. For more information, call 631-462-0801, email [email protected] or visit PollackWellness.com.