Questions worth asking any healthcare provider

As movement is an essential part of medical management for many conditions, I hear first-hand of many moments where diagnosis has been missed, delayed, or made incorrectly. This often happens because decisions are made with limited information. In biokinetics we look at your body as a whole, considering many factors and influences, and this same approach is helpful when reviewing medical results or diagnosis.

When we receive a diagnosis or are told something needs further investigation, our minds can become overwhelmed, compliant, and confused. It’s important to ask clear questions so you can make an informed and appropriate care plan going forward.

Checklist of questions for your healthcare provider

With this in mind, here is my practical checklist of what to ask your healthcare provider in such situations:

Understanding the result

• What exactly is this marker measuring?

• How far outside the normal range is it?

• Could stress, sleep, fasting/non-fasting, or recent illness affect this reading?

• Could this be a lab error or require a repeat test to confirm?

Bigger picture

• What patterns do you see over time?

• Are we looking at the full panel or only one number?

• What other factors should be considered before making decisions?

• How does this result fit with my symptoms, history, and day-to-day function?

• Are there benign or common reasons this number might look abnormal?

Medication & alternatives

• What is the purpose of this medication?

• Are there non-medication options that also help (movement, strength, nutrition, stress work)?

• Can we try lifestyle changes first or alongside medication?

• What are the short-term and long-term side effects?

• Could this medication interact with anything I’m already taking?

• If I start this, how long will I need to remain on it?

• What will we monitor to know if it’s working?

• If I choose not to start medication now, what are the realistic risks?

Risks & timelines

• What happens if I don’t take this immediately?

• When should we retest?

• What symptoms would genuinely warrant urgent action?

• What changes would you expect to see in 2, 6, and 12 weeks?

• Are we treating the number or the person?

Process and clarity

• Who can I contact if something changes or I have questions between appointments?

• What is the plan if the next set of results stays the same or worsens?

• Is there anything you need from me (movement, sleep, food tracking, symptom notes) to build a clearer picture?

  
  

Informed consent

Informed consent isn’t signing a form — it’s understanding your options clearly. You choose the route: medication, lifestyle, movement, or a mix.

If you would like to discuss how movement can aid your recovery or chronic illness, contact me today.