It was our beloved native Virginian, Thomas Jefferson who once said, “Every generation needs a new revolution.” Indeed, a revolution in our Health Care paradigm may just be the calling of our generation. Bugle horns have been sounding off all across America that something just isn’t right. 63% of Americans are now overweight, 1 in 8 women will fight breast cancer in their life, and The American Heart Association suggests 80,000,000 Americans are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. To make it even worse, the World Health Organization has ranked our Health Care System 37th in the world, behind Costa Rica and Columbia, and it is the most expensive of all countries, almost doubling second place. Now don’t get me wrong, there is still no other country in the world where I’d rather be treated in case of an emergency, no matter where the WHO ranks us, but the statistics tell us that something is wrong and changes need to be made.
Where do we begin and What do we do?
Perhaps the first place to begin is the emphasis on where we put the responsibility of health. For too long, patients have seen healthcare as a passive process in which their health was completely in the hands of their doctor, and his/her ability to prescribe the right medications. In general, having the mindset of just managing symptoms, Doctors would effectively deal with whatever complaint that walked into their office, and pay less attention to the general well-being of the patient. This is a trend that is slowly shifting, but for the quality of our National Health to transform in the time frame that it must, the citizens of this country will have to take their health in their own hands.
While Congress and the President argue back and forth about the best way to reform our system, It will truly only change to the degree that “We The People” take responsibility for our own Health and Lifestyle choices. There are many differing opinions amongst us, about what America’s New Health Care system will look like, but one thing we all share in common is the Pursuit of Health and Happiness. And believe me, Happiness begins with Health.
I leave you with 5 Tenets to help jumpstart your involvement in the Wellness Revolution…
1. Exercise! Exercise! Exercise!
A 20 minute workout 3 days a week is good for you…A 2o minute workout 5 days a week is revolutionary.
2. Eat Right and Drink lots of Water!
Avoiding fast food and soda is a great start. Add some leafy greens and some colorful vegetables…Now your starting to change the world.
3. Rest!
Science has found a close connection between Sleep Deprivation and many common health issues, such as Diabetes. Get off the Internet and go to bed at a decent hour.
4. Relax!
Stress is a vital part of life. You have the choice to turn it in to negative destructive thoughts or transform it into positive euStress which can help get some work done around the house or run a marathon. Be in the driver’s seat of your emotions, don’t let them drive you…They may drive you bananas.
5. Correct Structural Imbalances!
Thomas Edison once said, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
Hippocrates said, “Look well to the spine for the cause of all disease.”
These two revolutionists knew that if our frames are not in alignment then the Innate Wisdom that operates and heals our bodies, can not optimally and efficiently communicate between brain and body.
Chiropractors are specialists of the Human Frame. Find one who will adjust your whole body for best results. They can adjust your spine, as well as your shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. Also, be sure that they are trained in Corrective Exercise and Functional Rehabilitation. This is truly the best way to stabilize any efforts to align your neuro-musculo-skeletal system.
Be Well with a Rebel Yell!!!
Dr. Dennis Da Ponte
