March
2003
Perspectives on
wellness
by Dr. Christopher Kent
In
his book "The Wellness Revolution" [1], economist Paul Zane
Pilzer predicts that wellness will become the next trillion-dollar
industry. According to Pilzer, wellness is "not about a fad or trend,
it's about a new and infinite need infusing itself into the way we eat,
exercise, sleep, work, save, age, and almost every other aspect of our
lives."
Pilzer
succinctly articulates the difference between sick care and health care:
"The sickness business is reactive. Despite its enormous size,
people become customers only when they are stricken by and react to a
specific condition or complaint...the wellness business is proactive.
People voluntarily become customers -- to feel healthier, to reduce
the effects of aging, and to avoid becoming customers of the sickness
business. Everyone wants to be a customer of this earlier-stage approach
to health."
As
the culture moves in a direction seeking behaviors that enhance
well-being, there will be those who attempt to fit old paradigms with new
clothes. For example, factions in medicine are promoting early detection
protocols as "wellness" services.
Such
services may include such things as screening for hypertension, cancer, or
other medical conditions. While there is a place for early disease
detection, it should not be confused with a wellness strategy.
Wellness
Paradigms
Similarly,
some medical and chiropractic practitioners employ fear-driven preventive
strategies. People are encouraged to get their spines checked, or control
their blood pressure because they fear the consequences of not doing so.
As with strategies based upon the early detection of disease, such
approaches should not be confused with wellness care.
What
then is wellness? The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines wellness
simply: "The quality or state of being in good health especially as
an actively sought goal." [2]
Arizona
State
University
has a more comprehensive definition: "Wellness is an active, lifelong
process of becoming aware of choices and making decisions toward a more
balanced and fulfilling life. Wellness involves choices about our lives
and our priorities that determine our lifestyles. The wellness concept at
ASU is centered on connections and the idea that the mind, body, spirit
and community are all interrelated and interdependent." [3]
The
National Wellness Institute definition is as follows:
"Wellness
is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more
successful existence.
The
key words in this first sentence are process, aware, choices and success.
***
Process means that we never arrive at a point where there is no
possibility of improving.
***
Aware means that we are by our nature continuously seeking more
information about how we can improve.
***
Choices means that we have considered a variety of options and
select those that seem to be in our best interest.
***
Success is determined by each individual to their personal
collection of accomplishments for their life." [4]
Finally,
consider the elements of this definition proposed by Travis:
"Wellness
is a choice -- a decision you make towards optimal health. Wellness is a
way of life -- a lifestyle you design to achieve your highest potential
for well being. Wellness is a process -- a developing awareness that there
is no end point, but that health and happiness are possible in each
moment, here and now. Wellness is a positive acceptance of oneself.
Wellness is the interaction of the body, mind and spirit -- the
appreciation that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an impact
on our state of health."
These
definitions embrace a vision of wellness grounded in empowerment, choice,
and
awareness. The wellness concepts sharply contrast with those of the fear
driven, patient passive, episodic strategies of early detection,
prevention, and maintenance.
The
chiropractic profession is perfectly positioned to lead the wellness
beneficial, and to reap the benefits, material and spiritual, of accepting
that challenge. Vertebral subluxations may produce dysafferentation,
resulting in aberrant perceptions of the internal and external
environments. The inevitable consequence is a distorted world view.
Furthermore, efferent interference, associated with expression, interferes
with our responses to internal and external change. Vertebral subluxations
compromise our ability to experience life to our fullest potential.
By
addressing vertebral subluxations, and the physical, biochemical, and
emotional distress that cause such subluxations, a person seeking wellness
care enhances their life experience. A wellness patient does not seek
merely to maintain the status quo, return to pre-injury status, or prevent
illness. Such an individual recognizes that chiropractic care is a
lifelong process -- a way of life -- that is an integral component of a
global strategy for human empowerment.
References
1.
Pilzer PZ: "The Wellness Revolution." John Wiley and Sons.
New
York
.
2002.
2.
www.m-w.com/home.htm
3.
www.asu.edu/upsa/wellness/definition.html
4.
www.nationalwellness.org/NWA/definitionofwellness.htm
5.
www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/wellness/defini.html
(Dr.
Christopher Kent, president of the Council on Chiropractic Practice, is a
1973 graduate of
Palmer
College
of Chiropractic. The WCA's "Chiropractic Researcher of the Year"
in 1994, and recipient of that honor from the
ICA
in 1991, he was also named
ICA
"Chiropractor of the Year" in 1998. He is director of research
and a co-founder of Chiropractic Leadership
Alliance
.
With Dr. Patrick Gentempo, Jr., Dr.
Kent
produces a monthly audio series, "On Purpose," covering current
events in science, politics and philosophy of vital interest to the
practicing chiropractor. For subscription information call 800/892-6463.)
