Locations
Office
Kingsport, TN
My office hours
Thursday: Closed
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Tennessee
Aetna Life Insurance Company
UnitedHealthcare
About
Bio
I am originally from Atlanta, GA, but consider Northeast Tennessee home now. I graduated from Haverford College in Pennsylvania and received my medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, cum laude. After completing my residency and a teaching fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, I became "a simple country doctor" in Trenton, GA, a town of 1400. This experience opened my eyes as to how much fun practicing medicine can be, as well as revealed how bizarrely our medical education system is structured. I decided to return to an academic setting to try to change what I could from within the system. I actively see patients in the office, have a hospital practice, do OB, teach medical students and Family Medicine residents and take call. I am always looking to integrate different healing systems when caring for my patients, and routinely prescribe botanical and allopathic medications, discuss exercise and nutritional issues, explore a person's emotional and spiritual support systems, and refer to other healers.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Family Medicine
Holistic Medicine
Integrative Medicine
Preventive Medicine
Licenses
United States: Tennessee
Doctor Q&A
689 Answers
748 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Generally very safe: Birth control that stops periods are hormonal and usually the pill or the depoprovera shot. It is common with any hormonal treatment to have your peri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Need more history: Several things can do this. Infections (skin, tooth, gums), allergic reactions (to food, meds, topicals), something called angioedema, insect bites, t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Not to worry: Ear wax is a very personal thing. Some folks make lots and some not so much. Differences between ears does not mean much especially if you feel fine, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 51-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Not sure: Need more information to be able to answer. Fever is often associated with many infections, including viral. Different viruses cause different problem... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Lifestyle changes!: That level is consistent with diabetes. The diagnosis needs another fasting or an A1c level checked (another lab to check glucose over 3 months) to co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Balanced diet key: I know of no specific vitamins that have been shown to help with adhd specifically, although I am sure many claims are out there. The best way to get ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
It depends: It depends on what your symptoms are. It sounds like some concerns about changes in your vagina from the question. If your physician has not commented... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Maybe cath: If you mean treadmill stress test by tst, then it may be a sign of limited blood flow to the heart called ischemia. Especially if you have chest pain ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Stress, etc., &often: The most common cause in someone without serious health issues is psychologic. Stress is a huge factor, as is the nature of your intimate relationship... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Yellow skin (maybe): Gilbert's is caused by a problem with an enzyme that works on bilirubin. The liver needs this enzyme to change bilirubin so it can be removed by the k... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Probably so: Two issues here: blood in the vomit is usually from relatively minor causes like a small tear (mallory-weiss), or irritation; however, it may be the p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Probably not. In general, liquid meds need to be shaken as components can settle. Try to remember to shake your medication before taking it!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 27, 2021
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
It is common for some pain medications to actually increase pain due to how nerve pathways work. This can be seen with narcotics. While baclofen is a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Given you obviously do not want to get pregnant, I am glad you had an IUD so that you could get proactive in contraception! Cramps and bleeding are co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 21, 2021
A 56-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
It is reasonable to get a ferritin as that truly looks at iron stores in your body. You can check it while on iron but you should have at least 12 hou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 06, 2021
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
I am sorry but without a thorough history and physical exam, it is not possible to tell you what is going on. At your age, and being male, I can gener... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Nov 25, 2021
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Probably. However, it is better to always put food on a plate when in a microwave and then clean the microwave periodically. Otherwise the turntable w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
In general unless you have some other issue slowly how you heal I would expect better improvement. But Neosporin is not a good option as it is not nee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 06, 2021
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
For almost any health concern, the first step is to have a healthcare professional do a good history and physical exam. Many causes can be determined ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
It is a good idea to take a probiotic when on an antibiotic but differences exist among them. Yogurt does have those 2, but they are often destroyed i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Thanks for asking! St John's Wort is probably the herbal that has the most potential and real herb-drug interactions, so it is wise to be very careful... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Immunotherapy is very effective especially for people with severe and chronic allergies. Once the right allergens are identified and a treatment plan ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 06, 2021
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
While a fever and more rapid heart rate can be from usually mild infections, your heart problems put you at high risk for serious complications even f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Reviewed Nov 21, 2021
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
While more detailed info on how you rolled your foot is needed, the most common problem is a sprain which is injury to a ligament. These can take week... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Nov 16, 2021
A female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Usually not much: If your period comes right after sex, and it is on the expected date, it usually means your body is following its normal cycle. You are least likely t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
May need xray: The best approach and the best answer depends on more history and an exam. Even "mild" activity can cause shin pain. Sometimes it is benign but annoyi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Get checked: Especially if this is a new lump, someone should examine you. Lumps in the testicle can be cancer, and the earlier it is found the better. Other less ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Natural skin care: The skin is very sensitive, and a good marker for many aspects of health. Any skin condition can suggest imbalance in diet, sleep or how one handles s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Mucous, bloody stool: Crohn's is one of the inflammatory bowel conditions. One of the main signs will be a change in bowel movements usually with blood and/or mucous. Blood... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Great idea! Do it: I applaud you for wanting to be open about such things with a potential sexual partner. It is a good idea to know who who are sleeping with, as best y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
They can: Fatty liver (steatohepatitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (nash))once was thought to be "not that bad" but we now recognize it as a serious live... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Wheeze,cough: Some of the presenting symptoms can be wheezing, shortness of breath (dyspnea), and nighttime cough. Symptoms can often be triggered by sudden tempera... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Costochondritis mayb: Trauma or injury obviously, but you would have reported that! sometimes even "minor" truma or even exercise or activity can cause an irritation of the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Take a nap can help!: For the "worst headache in the world" see someone right away as that could be a serious problem. And lots of headaches or really bad ones need some ev... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Diagnosis: It is critical to know what the specific heart rhythm problem is in order to treat it well. Different dysrhythmias are treated in different ways - som... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Have her seen: Sudden hearing loss can be from something as simple as blockage of the ear canal by wax, or drainage, or as serious as damage to the bones involved in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Blood vessel spasm: Raynaud’s is usually casued by exposure to cold temperatures (or emotional stress) that cause blood vessel spasms, usually in smaller blood vessels, s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Several things: To have a better idea, more information is needed. If no injuries, i would consider such things as carpal tunnel syndrome which is pressure on a nerve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Now: Sciatica is a specific kind of back pain caused by pressure or irritation on the sciatic nerve. Symptoms often start in the back and go down one leg, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Usually nothing much: Colds are usually very mild and self-limited, and do not need specific treatment. Symptomatic care for nasal stuffiness, cough, sneezing, aching is re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Usually a few days: Large pimples that do not have an outlet like a whitehead, may represent significant inflammation under the skin, and sometimes the presence of pus un... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Usually antibiotics: C.Difficile is a common bacteria that can cause problems when the normal bacteria of the gut/intestines is wiped out. This can happen with any antibio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Not quite the same: Multifocal pvcs means multiple areas in the ventricles of the heart that are firing to stimulate contraction early (premature ventricular contraction)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Yes: This amount is a reasonable dose, although recommendations can vary widely depending on source or reason for taking it. The best way to get any vitami... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Can be normal: It can be very normal to get some cramps after running. These can be in legs, but also the abdomen. Usually they relate to muscle exertion and strain,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Within three days: Plan b is appropriate to use within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, or failure of your primary contraception method.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Brush teeth,dentist: Overall it seems you have hit the most important thing on the head - improved oral hygiene! the bleeding can be from gum disease although more serious... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Check bloodwork: Spontaneous bruising can be a sign of a bleeding problem such as hemophilia or von willebrands disease. Some medications can effect bleeding too. It i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Depends: Varicose veins can hurt, so pain related to them can be expected. But other vascular causes can also cause pain, such as claudication from poor blood ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Reid Blackwelderanswered
Family Medicine 39 years experience
Yes: Dolobid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (nsaid), so is not related to opioids. It sounds like "dilaudid" which is an opioid. Do be carefulas every... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
17
Recommendations
1.2K
Thank you notes
Mar 28, 2014
Our current AAFP president. If this MD has the trust of the majority of FM doctors in the nation....you can trust him with his answers. Thank you for your leadership. To the future of DPC:)...am su...Read More
Feb 21, 2013
I was taught by Dr Blackwelder in medical school and still remember his words of wisdom and his love of family medicine and wellness
Sep 10, 2013
A fantastic and dedicated physician. Great answers and very helpful! Thank you!
HealthTap member
Dear Dr. Blackwelder, Thank you for mentioning that a headache does not have to be present. We had quite an extensive series of tests conducted a year and ago when CVS was first diagnosed, including ...Read More
HealthTap member
thank you. its my daughter she has been having a cough on and off for weeks now. she has been to the doctor twice now and he has just givin her cough meds. now her right side of her face has swollen a...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, the doctor moved my arm up above my head, triggering the pain in my neck, which at the same time causes the pain up my neck and into my ear. She did check my ears and said they were fine.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Emory University School of Medicine, GA
Graduated 1984MD
Residency
MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GA HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
Completed 1987
Awards
2008 AAFP Teacher of the Year
2010 Caduceus Club Mentor of the Year
2000 Gold Humanism in Medicine
Affiliations
Quillen College of Medicine
American Academy of Family Physicians
Wellmont holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center
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