Last fall, I had an opportunity to get away for a few days to the Southwest, and visit two places I’ve never been before — Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico. While in Santa Fe I was also able to attend an evening lecture by Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard-trained medical doctor who has become a worldwide leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine.
Some of what Dr. Weil talked about is information that I learned during my years of chiropractic training — in particular, the concept that our bodies are self-regulating organisms that have the power to heal themselves if interferences to that healing are removed. If you’ve visited my office, you’ve probably heard me mention this basic idea — the Power that Made the Body, Heals the Body. This is the principle that chiropractic was founded on more than 100 years ago!
Contrast that to the current thinking in so-called modern medicine, which Dr. Weil admitted is not a health care system but rather “a disease management system.”
“I’ve learned nothing about healing in my medical training,” Dr. Weil said. “And I hardly learned anything about health and keeping people healthy.”
Now, mind you, this statement is coming from a Harvard Medical School-trained physician. It was because Dr. Weil saw these deficiencies in his own medical training, that he founded the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.
Many of you may have heard the terms alternative care or complementary care when referring to anything outside of the traditional health care system. Dr. Weil said he prefers the term “integrative care” because it means “bringing everything together” — in essence, ensuring that all options are considered in the best interests of the patient.
He described his vision of health as “resilience and balance” no matter what the world throws our way, whether that be toxins or germs or injuries.
“The body has an amazing tendency to restore balance when balance is lost,” Dr. Weil said. “Our bodies have the ability to know when they have been damaged and immediately draw on all of these mechanisms to repair damage.”
Sound familiar? The Power that Made the Body, Heals the Body!
Dr. Weil also addressed the “dire” state of disease in our country, including the obesity epidemic that is contributing to many of our health problems. He suggested attacking the problems with both negative incentives, such as a tax on soda and junk food, and positive ones, such as making physical activity fun. I’ve shared one the positive ideas that he mentioned in the YouTube video above. It showcases a project, sponsored in Sweden by Volkswagen, on a website called TheFunTheory.com.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Meanwhile, if you want to learn how chiropractic care can help you move better, feel better and keep you truly healthy, call our office today for an appointment.
— Dr. Waldron