All Over Albany

Good physical therapist for back problems?

Jennifer emails:

Any chance you can ask your readers for suggestions on a good physical therapist for the lower back? I have been to a few different places around town over the years and seem to always get stuck with folks fresh out of school with little experience.

In addition to physical therapy, we're curious if there are other things -- like maybe specific yoga or other exercise classes in the area -- that people have have found helpful for back problems. (Of course, you'd always want to check with your doctor ahead of time to make sure any sort of other exercise wouldn't make the problem worse.)

So, got a a suggestion for Jennifer? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a specific therapist or program can be very helpful.

An LGBT-friendly obstetrician/gynecologist?

C. emails:

My wife and I are looking to start the process of getting pregnant, but we'd like to make sure that our OBGYN is someone who is open to same sex couples and knowledgeable about that process. If anyone has suggestions for doctors in and around the Albany/Troy area that they have had positive experiences with, we'd appreciate it!

An important question! With so many questions we get here about doctors, one of the central issues is often people wanting to find a doctor who takes the time to listen and answer questions. So if you have a physician to recommend, it'd be helpful to hear about the aspect of the experience.

Got a suggestion for C. and her wife? Please share!

photo:Flickr user Adrian Clark (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good primary care practice or doctor?

Nate emails:

I have been living in Albany for nearly five years and still have yet to find a good primary care/family practice/internal medicine physician. I have gone to two different practices and still have yet to find a doctor who doesn't treat you like a filler in between appointments and whose office staff is not outright rude and hostile.

I have found that the PAs, nurses, and office staff in the office are as important as the doctor, especially since they are often tasked with important things such as prescription refills, something my current doctor's office has repeatedly made mistakes on.

We've had this question come up before, but we looked through the archive and it's been years since the last similar question about this type of doctor. And things change.

Also: It's worth highlighting Nate's point about the importance of the other health care providers and staff in a practice beyond the doctors. They can make a big difference.

So, got a doctor or practice to suggest to Nate? Please share! And just a reminder that a sentence or two about why you're recommending a practice or doctor (good listener, on-time appointments, and so on) can be a big help.

photo: Flickr user Adrian Clark (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good pediatrician in Rensselaer County or nearby?

Nate emails:

I found this post from a few years ago regarding a search for local pediatricians and was wondering if you could repost. We're expecting our first child in July and we're on the hunt for a reputable pediatrician.

FYI - We live in Averill Park.

That earlier question is from 2011, so it's been a bunch of years and things change. Also: We're guessing Nate and his family are probably looking for a good practice somewhere in Rensselaer County or eastern Albany County.

So, got a suggestion for Nate? Please share! And as with most questions -- but especially with doctors -- a sentence or two about why you're recommending a practice (easy scheduling, good listeners, etc.) can be a big help.

photo: Flickr user Adrian Clark (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Suggestions for a holistic medicine practitioner?

Anonymous emails:

I'm wondering if the amazing AOA readers could recommend a holistic medicine doctor in the area. I've been working with a number of "real doctors" and haven't found them terribly helpful so I think it's time to look for some outside solutions.

Specifically I'm looking for assistance with autoimmune/thyroid issues (Hashimoto's) and some sudden food intolerances... if anyone has been treated holistically for similar issues that would be very much appreciated!

Here's a quick primer on holistic medicine.

We'd widen Anon's question just a little bit to include doctors who might not necessarily identify as "holistic" per se, but do maybe take extra time to learn about different aspects of a person's life and possibly include a wider range of treatment options.

So, got a suggestion for Anonymous? Please share. And as always, a line or two about why you're recommending that doctor -- good listener, smooth-running practice office, whatever -- is always helpful.

photo: Flickr user a.drian (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good psychiatrist?

Anonymous emails:

Over the last few months I've been having some major issues with anxiety and panic attacks. I've talked to my doctor about it and he suggested that I talk to a psychiatrist about things, and I think it's a good idea. The problem is, I don't know of any good ones in the area and the ratings I found on Google aren't helpful.

Would you mind asking the AOA community for some recommendations for a good psychiatrist in the Albany area? Preferably for someone who doesn't push pills unless it's a last resort.

I'm closer to the Schenectady area but don't mind driving for someone who is really good.

We have heard anecdotally that getting in to see a mental health professional -- whether they're a psychiatrist or psychologist or therapist of some sort -- can sometimes be difficult in this area because the demand for services exceeds the supply of providers. So if anyone has strategies or experiences about sorting through options, it'd be great to hear about those, too.

Got a suggestion for Anonymous? Please share. And as always, a sentence or two about why you're suggesting that provider can be a big a help.

photo: Flickr user a.drian (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good doctor for a wrist injury?

Sean emails:

I've been having some pretty serious pain in my left wrist anytime I put weight on it (think push-up position). A lot of arm-chair internet sleuthing has me concerned enough that I want to have it properly examined. I'm not terribly confident that my primary care doctor will necessarily get to the bottom of it based on a prior encounter with an unidentified running injury. With that in mind, I was hoping someone out there might be able to recommend a doctor or facility that they've had very positive experience with in the past.

We suspect the sort of doctor Sean is headed for is an orthopedist. So... have a good doctor to suggest to Sean? Please share! And bonus points for a sentence or two about why you're recommending that doctor.

A good endocrinologist?

Becky emails:

I'm hoping some readers can help me out here. I see a doctor at the Endocrine Group on Washington Ave in Albany (I would rather not say which one) for my hypothyroid condition and am really unhappy with his care. He's really brief with me and working with some outdated information. I hope this isn't a long-shot -- can anyone recommend a really good endocrinologist who is especially good at dealing with thyroid issues?

We get doctor questions fairly often, and it's notable how much personality/bedside manner/whatever you call it matters. It makes total sense -- the last thing you want when you're feeling sick or uncertain is to deal with someone who doesn't appear to be listening or just isn't friendly.

So, got a doctor to suggest to Becky? Please share! And if you do, please include a line or two about why you like that doctor or practice.

photo: Flickr user a.drian (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good plastic surgeon?

Anonymous emails:

I am beginning to do research into breast reduction surgery, and am wondering whether anyone in AOAland has had this or a similarly invasive plastic surgery and has any recommendations about which local surgeons to talk to and which to stay away from.

Have a suggestion? Please share. And please include a sentence or two about why you're recommending that doctor or practice.

photo: Flickr user a.drian (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good allergist?

Anonymous writes:

I have allergies, to dust and maybe something seasonal as well. And I've managed to get by with over-the-counter medication. But in recent years, it seems like my symptoms have gotten worse. So I'm thinking about seeing an allergist in order to get tested and figure out better treatment. Any suggestion for good allergists in the area?

Got a suggestion for Anonymous? Please share. And, as with any question like this, non-redeemable bonus points for a sentence or two about why you like that doctor -- good listener, figured out a tough case, smooth-running office, or whatever.

Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: A good dermatologist?
+ Ask AOA: A good ENT doctor?
+ Ask AOA: A good sleep doctor?
+ Ask AOA: A good doctor to treat Lyme disease?
+ Ask AOA: Suggestion of a doctor for migraines?
+ Ask AOA: A good doctor, preferably female?

photo: Flickr user a.drian (CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good dermatologist?

Alison asks:

Any recommendations on a local dermatologist?

We hear that, in addition to trying to find a good dermatologist, Alison is also looking for one who might do well with kids.

So, got a suggestion? Please share! As usual for these types of questions, non-redeemable bonus points for a quick explanation about why that doctor is good -- thorough, good listener, whatever.

A good dentist for people afraid of going to the dentist?

A asks via Twitter:

I have real, severe, serious fear of the dentist. But I have to go. Recommendations [for] who will treat me accordingly?

It's been a few years since we've had a question about dentists. And A is looking for someone who can help ease her anxiety about being in the dental chair. (Sometimes the right person and a little bedside manner can make all the difference.)

So... know of good dentist for A? Please share. Non-redeemable bonus points will be awarded for answers that include a bit of explanation about what makes that dentist/dental office good.

Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: A good dentist? (2010)
+ Ask AOA: A good oral surgeon? (2010)

photo: Flickr user Betsssssy (cc)

A good ENT doctor?

Erin asks via Twitter:

Can any of you recommend a good ENT specialist in the area? ... I need to see someone soon ish

As you probably know, ENT = ear, nose, and throat.

Know of a good doctor for Erin? Please share! Bonus points for being specific about why you like that doctor.

Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: A good sleep doctor?
+ Ask AOA: A good doctor to treat Lyme disease?
+ Ask AOA: Suggestion of a doctor for migraines?
+ Ask AOA: A good doctor, preferably female?

photo: Flickr user a.drian (cc)

A good sleep doctor?

Molly asks via Twitter:

anyone know of a good sleep specialist in #albany? I've already done a sleep study, just need a doctor for check ups/treatment

Not sleeping well can really mess up your health and the way you feel. (We know people who've gotten treatment for a sleep disorder and it's made a big difference for them.)

So, know of a good sleep doctor in the area? Please share.

Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: A good doctor to treat Lyme disease?
+ Ask AOA: Suggestion of a doctor for migraines?
+ Ask AOA: A good doctor, preferably female?

A good doctor to treat Lyme disease?

Laura asks via Facebook:

My husband was just diagnosed with Lyme disease after the ER doctor who saw him last week (when his temp reached nearly 105!!) spotted a tick bite that neither of us or his primary care physician noticed. We weren't such great fans of his PCP to begin with, but now we really want to find a better one. Not looking for infectious disease specialists, but a really good primary care or internal medicine physician who is especially Lyme literate would be a dream. ...

Anyone with Lyme have a doctor they really love?

This is an important question -- not only for Laura and her husband, but also because this region is part of zone along the East Coast where Lyme is particularly prevalent. And Lyme can be tricky to treat. (Chris Gibson is part of a group of elected officials pushing for increased federal funding for research and better testing for Lyme disease.)

Have a suggestion for Laura and her husband? Please share.

Earlier on AOA: The spread of Lyme disease

photo: CDC/Anna Perez

Suggestion of a doctor for migraines?

Anonymous asks:

Over the last few years I've been getting recurring migraines. My primary care doctor gave me some basic advice (stay away from red wine, for example), but that hasn't really helped. Can anyone recommend a good neurologist, or other type of doctor, in the Albany area for migraines or headaches?

Got a suggestion for Anonymous? Please share.

photo: Flickr user a.drian (cc)

A good doctor, preferably female?

Jen asks via email:

I'm a fairly new transplant to the Albany area and am looking for a primary care doctor. Can your readers recommend a smart, compassionate, preferably female doctor in the Albany or Troy area?

We've had a similar question before, but it came up more than 2.5 years ago. Things change. And Jen's preference narrows the field a bit. (Also: we heard from Jen that she called a few of the doctors from that old post and they weren't taking new patients.)

So, have a suggestion for Jen? Please share! And, as always, bonus points for explaining why you like that doctor.

photo: Flickr user a.drian (cc)

A good podiatrist?

Naomi emails:

Can any of your readers recommend a good podiatrist?

So, can anyone lend Naomi a hand (or, uh, foot) on this one? Please share!

And if you have a recommendation, please include why you're recommending that doctor.