02-15-2024 Howard - Flipbook - Page 34
Good health relies on a good
relationship with your physician
F
inding a primary care
physician you connect with
may take some work, but
it’s vital. “It might take a
few visits to find one who
you are comfortable with,
but it’s important to be
able to talk freely about
your health concerns and
feel like you are being
heard and listened to,” says
Ryan Reese, DO, CAQSM,
Clinical Assistant Professor
of Family & Community
Medicine at the University
of Maryland School of
Medicine and a Primary
Care Sports Medicine
Specialist who practices in
Columbia.
“You want someone who
is understanding and
provides quality of care …
someone you connect with
and trust,” Dr. Reese adds.
He notes that patients who
have a good relationship
with their doctor are
more likely to make
an appointment when
they are unwell instead
of simply ignoring the
symptoms.
“If you have a virus or some
sort of cold and are not
feeling any better after 10
or 14 days, get it checked
out. Anytime we can
diagnose a condition early,
it expands the treatment
options,” he says. “The
same for sports injuries. If
Photo provided by University of Maryland Faculty Physicians, Inc.
it’s been two weeks since
an injury, and you are still
having difficulty walking,
for example, go to the
doctor,” he stresses.
Dr. Reese says that if you
are a runner, and every
time you run or workout,
your knees are sore – you
should also consult with
your physician. “There
are many nonsurgical
options for sports injuries
and chronic pain, and
it’s important to discuss
these with your physician,”
says Dr. Reese, whose
clinical specialties include
acute and overuse
musculoskeletal injuries,
osteopathic manipulation
treatment, and ultrasoundguided joint injections, as
well as shoulder and soft
tissue injections.
“For arthritis, physical
therapy can help, as well as
injections to avoid surgery
or joint replacements,” says
Reese, who is also the Team
Physician for the UMBC
Retrievers sports teams.
With the New Year, of
course, comes many
resolutions for people to
lose weight and exercise
more. Dr. Reese stresses the
need to be realistic with
your goals.
easier to maintain if you
start slowly. If you like
sodas, try cutting back. For
example, maybe no sodas
with dinner. Also, watch
your calorie intake and
increase the number of
whole foods you consume.”
He also advises cooking
more at home versus
delivery or eating out.
“You are more aware of
what you are consuming
when you are cooking
yourself, as you have no
idea what ingredients the
chef at a restaurant
is using.”
Moderation is the key, he
says, and it’s OK to treat
yourself sometimes.
“Don’t eliminate 100%
some of the foods that
you really enjoy.”
“If you want to be healthier,
don’t make a 180-degree
change in your lifestyle,
as that won’t stand the
test of time. If you are not
currently active, start with
a nice walk one day a week
and build from there and
increase the frequency
slowly. The goal is to be
active 150 minutes a week
but take your time.”
When it comes to your
diet, small changes are
also the key to success, he
recommends. “It’s always
Dr. Ryan Reese is a
board certified primary
care sports medicine
physician