|
Navigating Your Path to Health
Many new cars today are equipped with automotive navigation
systems. These systems use satellite technology to locate the car and provide
directions to a location of our choice. The directions are often provided by
voice prompts, which describe the path to follow in order to reach our
destination. Thanks to the wonders of modern science, we receive this
information immediately. The voice prompts can also inform us that we have
missed a turn or even taken a wrong turn. Again, we obtain this feedback right
away. We have, in many ways, become a society of immediacy. We often expect
immediate feedback or immediate gratification and anything less is seen as
unfulfilling, slow, or outdated.
Now let's consider navigating our way to a different type of destination, a
destination that most of us find vague and elusive. That destination is health.
Imagine a health navigation system implanted in our bodies that is capable of
directing us toward that goal. Perhaps it would notify us if our dietary choices
are a deviation from the path we should follow. Perhaps it would inform us that
our lack of exercise or our need for relaxation is thwarting our efforts to
reach our ultimate goal. It may provide prompts in its monotone, mediocre,
matter-of-fact voice such as, "To arrive at your destination, put that
cookie down." It may also remind us of activities that we have neglected,
such as, "You overlooked exercise again today. Engage in physical exercise
at the next possible opportunity."
But alas, there is no health navigation system available at present. So, how can
we find and follow our all-important path to health? One such approach makes use
of an age-old, antiquated system. That is, we can measure our proximity to
destination health by examining how we feel--physically, mentally, and
spiritually. Yet, most of us rarely notice the feedback from this system
immediately. It may take days, weeks, or even years before we see or feel the
effects of our lifestyle choices, positive or negative. We may need to be hit
over the head with a hammer before finally hearing the message. Thus, it would
be wise to examine if we are listening to what our bodies have to say, while at
the same time exploring how we can become better listeners.
One approach to increasing awareness and listening to our bodies is through
receiving acupuncture treatment. As an acupuncturist, I am told by many patients
that with regular treatment, they become more aware of their bodies and the way
in which their bodies communicate with them. Many patients begin to see patterns
that were previously not recognizable. These patterns may include vague low back
pain due to lack of exercise, constipation during highly stressful situations,
abdominal pain related to not expressing emotions constructively, or energy
levels that spike and crash as a result of specific dietary habits. Even though
patterns such as these may exist for years, many individuals fail to notice the
connection. Once they finally choose to slow down and listen to their bodies,
they begin to hear the subtle messages.
In many cases, acupuncture can help to treat these imbalances, but in some cases
it may not. And when it cannot, most patients find that their problems are far
more manageable with the knowledge of specific causative factors. They are
pleased to learn that their lifestyle choices can directly affect how they feel,
and that by making different lifestyle choices, as difficult as that may be,
they can proactively choose to be healthier. I don't mean to imply that
acupuncture is the only approach to increasing awareness and becoming a better
listener. There are many such approaches. I believe that receiving massage or
practicing meditation can be helpful for this purpose, as well as meditative
activities, such as reading, conscious walking, gardening, or yoga. All of these
modalities can help us learn to listen to the messages that our bodies are
sending, until the day when we have our health navigation system implanted.
Bio: Peter Games is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Idaho. Peter
owns and operates www.acuboise.com a
clinic with his wife (who is also a Licensed Acupuncturist). To learn more about
their clinic or the acupuncture specialists at their clinic, please visit
Acupuncture Boise www.acuboise.com
[ Home ] [ Up ]
|
Publishing & Consulting