|
Newsletters >
Health Care or Disease Care?
Health Care or Disease Care?
Over the past 20 years the face of health care has changed immensely. Or, has it changed at all? The biggest difference I have seen is the change from drugs to herbs, and from surgery to natural therapies. The part that has really stayed the same is the reason a person seeks out medical treatments: to put out the fire. Many people blame the medical field for only prescribing drugs or surgery for what ails them and have switched to herbs and natural therapies for what ails them. If you take something for a headache, whether it is an herb or a drug, until you seek out the reason for the headache, then the medical approach is still the same. So you see, disease care has changed, (meaning how we care for disease), health care has not changed. There are choices that we make that will enhance or hinder health and those choices have not changed. The things that enhance health: positive mental attitude, fruits, vegetables and exercise. Considering that only 15% of Americans exercise on a regular basis, we really do need a very strong disease care system. If you go back to Websters dictionary, 1800's, the definition of Doctor was: teacher of health. If you look up Doctor now: see physician. Somewhere in time the physician changed from educator to crises manager. If you only see your patient when they are sick, then you are a crises management physician. That is exactly what the consumer demands, whether it comes in the form of drug therapy, or natural therapy. If you are called upon only to put out fires, how can you prevent them? America has become the most obese country in the world and we hold the record for most of the killer diseases. It's time to gain knowledge, take action and focus on what will magnify health instead of what will eliminate symptoms. I would love to see the consumer spend more time on understanding how the body works and a little less time on chasing the latest miracle cure or cookie cutter treatment for what ails you. There is no conspiracy to keep you from your health. There is only the lack of understanding as to what creates health. You Are Responsible For Your Health. Excuses and Blame will not Get You There. Knowledge and Action Will Pave the Way.
Dr. Terri Evans, DOM, AP Doctor of Oriental Medicine 239-430-6800
|
|