Most people have heard of the saying "Prevention is better than cure." This quote is often attributed to a Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus around 1500 and it is the cornerstone of health care systems and philosophies around the world. It essentially means that taking care of your physical, mental and spiritual health is much better than coping with illness or injury. I strongly believe we can do a lot to ensure our good health but to land the responsibility of good health solely on the individual and place heavy judgement (often based on moral and societal norms) on their choices negates the reality of situations beyond our control which can negatively affect health.
Genetics, environment, accident/injury and sheer bad luck can impact our health.
Genetics
According to the National Human Genome Research Institute, some diseases are caused by mutations that are inherited from the parents and are present in an individual at birth, like sickle cell disease. Other diseases are caused by acquired mutations in a gene or group of genes that occur during a person's life. Such mutations are not inherited from a parent but occur either randomly or due to some environmental exposure (such as cigarette smoke). These include many cancers, as well as some forms of neurofibromatosis. In Traditional Chinese medicine, what we inherit from our parents is largely understood as Kidney Jing/ Essence. It's treated like a 'store' of energy that is either replenished or depleted as we move through our lives. As we age, this store depletes and we see an increase is age-related issues such as hair loss, vision changes, hearing loss, loss of mental cognition and joint disease.
Environment
In my previous blog "How to create an Optimal Healing Environment' I talk about the things you can do to your personal environment to encourage a safe and healing space at home. https://www.cranfordacupuncture.com//post/how-you-can-create-your-optimal-healing-environment
But what about the environment in general? We cannot control the air quality where we live. What about water quality, mold? Lack of sanitation, heat, AC or green spaces? Community safety and resources? It is a fact that socio-economic factors have the greatest impact on health and one that is most out of the control of the individual.
Accident/Injury
Sometimes bad things will happen through no fault of our own. According to Safer-America.com, the cost of medical care and productivity losses due to injuries from car accidents was more than $99 billion – nearly $500 for each licensed US driver. Some injuries are incurred from being a passenger or a pedestrian.
Accidents in the home include slips and falls, children pulling down objects from higher up, scalds, home fires etc.
And yes, I hear you screaming some of these can be prevented!! That's why we have seat belts, licensing requirements, PSAs about the dangers of toddlers climbing those infamous chests of drawers and the endless advice on how to live life well!!
I hear you loud and clear! How does acupuncture fit into all this????
Acupuncture is all about BOTH when it comes to healthcare!
Prevention is of course optimal, but the beauty of this medicine is it can offer a chance of healing as well.
Acupuncture is self-awareness, and with self-awareness comes the ability to understand what serves you best and what 'normal' is for you. Acupuncture allows you to come back to a regulated, balanced state where the ebbs and flow of life are coped with and don't leave you stressed and depleted.
Acupuncture can 'nip things in the bud' especially if you have a regular practice of treatments. A twisted ankle will heal much faster with treatments in the first week as opposed to a chronic injury struggling to get better after several months.
Acupuncture is a two-way conversation between you and your practitioner- it is a nurturing and supportive healthcare relationship via the medium of acupuncture.
Acupuncture offers a sound philosophy of preventive healthcare in tune with Nature, the Seasons, your individual constitution and circumstances.
Acupuncture offers healing in proper pattern diagnosis according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. In more Western terms, it offers healing in reducing pain and inflammation, normalizing the nervous system, regulating the digestive system and connecting Mind, Body and Spirit in line with current Integrative Medicine models of care.
2022 has begun and maybe you are looking to improve the state of your health. It would be my absolute pleasure to welcome you to Cranford Acupuncture where prevention and healing are given equal importance.
Feel free to share to anyone you feel may find value in these words. Thank you!
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