"The only real education comes from what goes counter to you."

Andre Gide

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February 2001

Hello and Happy February! I hope you have enjoyed the beautiful weather that we experienced in January. Here is what we have to offer to expand your understanding this month.

Contents

1. Disease Care vs. Health Care. 
2. Question of the Month
3. Health News
4. Office Happenings

Disease Care vs. Health Care

There is a lot of talk about money being re-invested in our Health Care System. Let's take a look at whether our system is about health care or treating disease and how you approach your health. Here are definitions of the two terms.

Disease care is the event in which an individual waits until their body is in a crisis (pain and symptoms) and then attempts to treat that condition by suppressing the symptoms. Medications, herbs or occasional trips to the chiropractor when you are in pain are examples of this.

Health care is a process by which you create wellness from within by optimizing your body’s performance through use of appropriate lifestyle choices (regular chiropractic care, nutrition, exercise, positive mental attitude etc.). This allows you to enjoy a higher quality of life.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to identify what model you are living in:

1.  Are you treating symptoms or restoring function to the body? 
2.  Is your health the doctor’s responsibility or yours? 
3.  When symptoms go away do you quit treating the body? 
4.  Are you waiting for disease to develop or are you creating wellness? 
5.  Are you worried about side effects or good effects? 

What would a more appropriate name for our current health care system? What is your approach or habits toward your health? Remember, results of bad habits don't usually show up until much later in life. 

Begin the process of creating wellness in your life using the health care approach. Live an abundant, vital and inspired life.

Question of the Month

Someone told me that having a cold is a healthy response. Is that true?

Most people automatically think that you are sick when you have cold symptoms. But let’s consider the aspects of a cold and the purpose of them. The three main parts of a cold are a fever, runny nose and coughing. The purpose of the fever is to raise body temperature so the immune system can kill off the offending viruses and bacteria. The runny nose and cough is a way the body gets rid of viruses and bacteria. If our bodies did not perform these functions, what would happen? A simple cold could develop into pneumonia or something more serious. Should we try and suppress the fever, runny nose and coughing or let the body exercise its immune system? Things to think about the next time you get “sick”. 

Health News

Research Links Cell Phones to Eye Cancer

This study starts to demonstrate the effects that have been talked about recently regarding cell phone use and the impact on your health. The article can be reached at http://www.healthmall.com/newsletter.cfm?type=1335&a= 

There are many different viewpoints on this topic. The radiation from cell phones can build up over time, another form of physical stress on the body. Consider getting an ear piece that allows you to clip the phone to your belt and still talk. It keeps you from crunching up your neck while you are trying to talk and write and moves the phone away from your head.

Obsession with Fighting Germs Can be Misguided

More and more bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics but the vast array of germ-killing soaps and household cleaners flood the marketplace. Read more at http://www.healthmall.com/newsletter.cfm?type=article&id=1337&a=

Fighting germs vs. keeping yourself healthy is the key issue. Bacteria and viruses are opportunist and take over when you are weak. Trying to kill them off just eliminates the weak and strong survive. Take a look at some of the products around your house and consider some alternatives.

Office Happenings- Happy Valentines Week!

There is a lot going on in around the office in the next few weeks. So here it goes!

1. Happy Valentines Week. During the week of February 12-16, you can book yourself, a loved one or a friend in for a scan of your spine and nervous system for a $15 donation to The People's Place. If you are new to our office, have never had one before or want yours updated, this is a great opportunity to work on building the World's Greatest You. Call to book a time and start the journey to a healthier you.

2. Patient Appreciation Hayride on Sunday Feb. 4 at 2:00 p.m. near Blackfalds. There is still time to register for this fun event. Just call the office by Friday afternoon on Feb 2 to let us know if you are coming and directions to the site.

3. Feature Article in The Source magazine. The Source is a local health and wellness publication that is available for free at a number of locations throughout Central Alberta. Check the February/March edition for our feature article.

4. Hockey Tickets. The winner of the pair of Rebel tickets was Aaron Campbell. The correct answer was 1895. Congratulations Aaron. Did you know the first adjustment had nothing to do with back pain but restored a man's hearing? You might want to file that away for further use.

5. Congratulations! Our best wishes go out to Harold and Tracy Mackesey as they welcomed the arrival of a healthy baby boy, Christian Riley.

6. Thanks for the referrals . We appreciate all the referrals that people send our way, they are the lifeblood of our practice.