article archive
September 2006
Developing a patient wellness
program
by Dr. Dennis Nikitow
Many patients are becoming aware of the wellness paradigm
and are interested in a wellness plan for their health. What
is a wellness program and does it fit within the subluxation‑based
model of practice?
First, let's define what wellness is.
I searched for a definition
of wellness and couldn't find one, so I made one that I feel
fits this paradigm and can be utilized by everyone. Wellness
is "maintaining certain
actions to prevent illness and injury." Simple, yet
concise.
Wellness is really based on the prevention and maintenance
concept of health care. Chiropractors are in the prime position
to introduce this to the public, because it reflects our
philosophy and principles. However, the public needs to understand
how chiropractic fits into wellness and why they need a chiropractor
on their health care team.
If patients want wellness as their
model of health care, they need to start by understanding the
four essentials of health. I introduced this concept to our
profession in the late '80s and wrote a pamphlet that we give
to every new patient to begin their repositioning process to
wellness and chiropractic. These are essential to life so they
have to be essential for health.
The first one is food. Teaching
patients proper nutrition should be a part of every DC's practice.
Stop eating, you die. Eat poorly, your health potential decreases
no matter how many adjustments you get. Digestion is said to
require the most energy and can be one of the greater stresses
the body endures on a daily basis. By eating right, stress
is minimized and the body's longevity enforced. The nervous
system is so dependant on good nutrition. Aberrant nerve
activity results in altered immune function, hormonal production,
and postural alignment which can be a result of poor nutrition.
Numerous
studies are linking excitotoxins, omega 3's, preservatives,
dyes and carbohydrate intolerance to altered nerve activity.
It's imperative for patients to hold their adjustments, to
eliminate "autointoxication" from poor nutrition.
Water
is the next essential. We need to emphasize the need for hydration
to eliminate toxins, and allow the body to carry on its proper
reactions. Remember, the body is 70% water. Water is needed
for everything from nerve transmission and muscle contraction,
to elimination. Emphasize plain water, not Gatorade, lemonade
or scotch and water!
Oxygen is obvious as an essential. Aerobic
exercise helps improve utilization of oxygen and insures better
overall function.
When introducing nerve impulse as the last
essential of health, ask the patient what needs to stop for
a person to be declared dead. The brain impulse. If this impulse
is interfered with by subluxations, the body doesn't function
at its optimum health potential.
When patients see research
supporting our principle and philosophy and this is coupled
with testimonials of improved wellness, they'll add chiropractic
to their health care team. Emphasizing the core philosophy
and getting patients to understand there's a normal spinal
model assures they'll correct their spine then maintain it
to maximize nerve integrity for optimum health potential.
Putting
these components together will insure a stable wellness program
your patients will follow, and will fit into a subluxation‑based
model of chiropractic.
(To learn about the Certainty System,
Certainty Practice Products and Dr. Dennis Nikitow's upcoming
seminar schedule, call 800‑544‑3884. Outside the US, 303‑721‑6202.)