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| Dr. Jeffrey Bland and Susan Bland |
“What’s above ground is easier to
see and, in many ways, easier to treat. But unless you dig down and uproot the
weed, you’ll never contain it; you’ll only stunt its growth.” Jeffrey Bland, PhD, Founder of the Institute
for Functional Medicine, as quoted in Experience Life Magazine
One of the reasons so many people
are suffering with poor health these days is that we have not been educated on
the definition of true health. When people understand what
health really is, they can actually create their own wellness philosophy and
determine which lifestyle approaches are best for them.
What is health?
One core definition of health is
“a state of normal function.” If you wish to improve your health, you must
first find out what it is that causes you to function optimally. People are
more interested than ever before in biking, swimming, running, doing yoga,
lifting weights, taking supplements, and proper diet. Most people have begun to
realize that they must play an active role in their own health if they want to
keep it or get it back. Some of the most common health objectives include:
- Enhancing overall well-being
- Overcoming and preventing illness
- Improving energy level and appearance
- Increasing the length and quality of life
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| Courtesy of Wikimedia |
However, none of these goals
cause the human body to function. To find what really causes you to function
nominally, you must first determine what is abnormal in your anatomy.
The Central Nervous System (CNS)
is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. The CNS controls all
functions and healing in the human body. To have normal function - a
requirement for good health - the CNS must work without damage or interference.
There is a continuous flow of
information from the brain to the rest of the body and from the organs back to
the brain. When the head is in an abnormal position or there’s a misalignment
of individual vertebrae, it will interfere with the flow of information to and
from the brain. This interference keeps the organs from functioning normally.
A healthy spine is one of the
keys to having a healthy life. It’s also a very important part of Functional
Medicine.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an
approach to health which addresses the whole person, not just whatever symptoms
may be bothering someone at any given time. At Vibrant Life Health
Center, we spend time with our patients listening to them and assessing the
numerous factors that are influencing their long-term health. We believe that
working in close partnership with our patients will help them to achieve their
fitness and health goals.
The Institute of Functional Medicine, which was established in the
1990s, asserts that:
- Functional Medicine offers a powerful new system model for the assessment, treatment, and prevention of chronic disease. It is replacing the outdated and acute-care models from the 20th century.
- Functional Medicine utilizes the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the progression of disease.
- Functional Medicine is enabling physicians and other health professionals to practice personalized medicine. It empowers patients to take an active role in their own health.
Most physicians are oriented
toward the diagnosis and treatment of trauma or illness that needs to be
treated immediately. This is referred to as “acute care” and it includes
everything from heart attacks to broken bones. Physicians apply specific treatments,
such as drugs or surgery, that aim to treat the immediate problem.
However, the acute-care approach to medicine is ill equipped to address chronic disease. Acute care does not normally take into account factors like stress, diet, and exposure to toxins. Many physicians have no training to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic diseases. They don’t apply strategies like nutrition, diet, and exercise to treat and prevent illnesses.
However, the acute-care approach to medicine is ill equipped to address chronic disease. Acute care does not normally take into account factors like stress, diet, and exposure to toxins. Many physicians have no training to assess the underlying causes of complex, chronic diseases. They don’t apply strategies like nutrition, diet, and exercise to treat and prevent illnesses.
Essential Components of
Functional Medicine
- Get the patient’s complete story
- Identify and address the patient’s lifestyle factors as well as any undesirable environmental factors
- Address any clinical imbalance the patient may have
- Establish a working partnership between practitioner and patient.
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| Courtesy undergroundhealthreporter.com |
Biofeedback is one of the many
tools we use at Vibrant Life Health Center to help patients achieve their
health and fitness goals. It ties right in with Functional Medicine. Mayo
Clinic has a good definition of biofeedback on their website.
“Biofeedback is a technique you
can use to learn to control your body's functions, such as your heart rate.
With biofeedback, you're connected to electrical sensors that help you receive
information (feedback) about your body (bio). This feedback helps you focus on
making subtle changes in your body, such as relaxing certain muscles, to
achieve the results you want, such as reducing pain. In essence, biofeedback
gives you the power to use your thoughts to control your body, often to improve
a health condition or physical performance.” Mayo Clinic
Relaxing sounds like it should be
easy, but for a lot of people it’s not. At Vibrant Life, we use biofeedback to
help patients train themselves on how to relax. We also use biofeedback to help
patients modify their behavior in situations that may cause stress and anxiety.
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In this article, I have discussed
Functional Medicine, which addresses all the needs of the patient as opposed to
simply treating symptoms and conditions. I’ve also discussed biofeedback
technology, one of the tools we use to help patients achieve their health and
fitness goals.
If you have a comment about this
article, please leave it in the comments section below. If you know of someone
who might benefit from the information in this blog, please share it with your
friends, colleagues, and on social media.
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At Vibrant Life, we address all
of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality to your life. This includes
nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you need to consult with a
chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health concern, please contact
our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His
practice, The Vibrant Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of
Jacksonville. His interest in health and fitness started early, and his
athletic pursuits have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water
Skiing, Baseball, Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning
from some of the top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated
his life to helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective
for each patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively
toward a body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on
First Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He
also speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles
to improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.
The trick to being healthy is staying healthy. Traditional medicine only treats the symptoms. Chiropractic keeps the entire body tuned up to maintain peak performance.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of going to a doctor who tries to get the whole picture. It makes a lot of sense.
ReplyDelete