Improve Health Care by Needing Less "Sick Care"
The health care system is broken, we all know this. Part of the problem is that over the years we have outsourced the responsibility for our individual health to outside entities. Initially, this was smart when we transitioned from snake oil salesmen motivated by money to physicians motivated by the pursuit of knowledge and helping their fellow men and women. Then other scientists got in on the pursuit, bringing us antibiotics, surgeries, and diagnostic imaging. This was still positive change but with increasing complexity our individual understanding decreased. Also, along with advances came increasing costs and difficulty paying, requiring our further outsourcing to insurance companies. Initially they too started out with the most benevolent of intentions. But eventually a snake oil salesman realized that money could be made and we gladly gave up even more control as health insurance “creep” went from covering just the expensive stuff to just about everything. Now we have an insurance industry with a conflict of interest when it comes to YOUR health. Do they approve a breast ultrasound that may be more comfortable and accurate for you, or a mammogram that is 1/100th the cost and exposes you to unnecessary radiation? Physical therapy or steroid injections? Blood pressure medication or a provider’s time to coach and motivate you through lifestyle modification? The list goes on and on.
We have gladly welcomed this outsourcing as it makes our lives easier too. Taking one pill a day for your blood pressure is easier than exercising for 30 minutes a day. It’s terribly inconvenient to go to physical therapy once a week for knee pain compared to getting a steroid shot. The problem is, these choices make our lives easier, but they most certainly do not make our lives better. The blood pressure pill treats one link in a chain that leads to heart attack or stroke, produces other side effects, and occasionally contains a carcinogen! At best, the shots to the knee give temporary relief while the joint continues to deteriorate to a point beyond repair. At worst, recent studies show they may actually accelerate deterioration. In addition to potentially treating high blood pressure and joint pain, even light exercise has been shown to produce all kinds of other benefits to mind, body and soul.
It is time we recognize the importance of a client-centered medical experience. Vaccinations, medication and surgery are important and sometimes lifesaving, but by far most medical problems facing Americans today can be solved by living better, focusing on diet, physical activity, friendships, family and sleep hygiene.
I admit I have a selfish motive in this. I too wish to live a longer, healthier life, and be my best self. Join me in the pursuit of wellness. Together we can build stronger, healthier lives for ourselves and those we love
.