Many of us have heard the old adage, “The grass is greener on the other side.” Here is a reply to that adage: The grass is greener where you water it. People often use this lawncare analogy to describe opportunities, goals, priorities, and situations. It is also an excellent analogy for taking care of your health.
According to the CDC, six out of ten Americans have a chronic illness. Four out of ten Americans have two or more. In one of the most developed nations in the world, 60% of our population is chronically ill with a life-altering condition, and 40% have two or more of these conditions. That should raise some red flags indicating there isn’t much green grass in our current medical system. These conditions hold a myriad of complications on their own. When coupled with another condition, even an acute illness, they are considered comorbidities. In other words, they contribute to morbidity/illness.
What Is Considered a Chronic Illness?
Defining chronic illness sounds like it should be simple; however, as with many things in life that get complicated with medical systems, pharmaceuticals, and insurance, the lines are a bit blurry. Let’s use the CDC’s definition as a starting point:
Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both.
Healthline adds that these chronic conditions typically cannot be cured. Sometimes they are treatable and manageable, and sometimes they are progressive. When it comes to insurance benefits and treatment plans, the definition of chronic illness can be a moving target. If people consider the mainstream medical approach they face numerous specialists, multiple prescriptions, and prescriptions to counteract the side effects of the prescriptions, plus chronic pain and fatigue.
How many people do you know struggle with one or more chronic illnesses? Are they on medications for conditions doctors tell them will likely last the rest of their lives? How many people just accept that as their life sentence? Need a few examples of chronic illness? Check out this brief list:
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Depression
- COPD
- Chronic kidney disease
- Heart disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Stroke
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Crohn’s Disease
The list can go on and on. Sadly, these conditions can be miserable. It can also be discouraging because without intervention, these people are unlikely to get better. They then face a choice: will they just manage symptoms or get to the root of the problem?
Healing the Terrain and Helping the Grass Green Up
When it comes to the medical system’s prognosis of chronic disease, The Wellness Way Founder, Dr. Patrick Flynn, has often said, “I disagree.” These two words have helped people around the world find hope, healing, and renewed vitality.
Looking at the causes of the above-listed chronic diseases explains why he can make such a bold statement. Thousands of people have had dramatic clinical results with The Wellness Way approach.
According to the CDC, lifestyle plays an integral role in developing a chronic disease. Tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and alcohol use all increase the risk of chronic illness. We would add that they all lead to inflammation and other imbalances, which can result in chronic illness. What could be possible if we committed to making simple lifestyle changes that lower inflammation? Reducing the symptoms and impact of chronic disease happens for so many of our patients that many no longer fit the diagnostic criteria for that disease!
If we can treat our internal environment–our terrain–then healthy functioning will follow. Imagine a wasteland filled with pollution and poor conditions. How would you expect a living creature to survive? What is the state of their health? Now imagine a sunny, clean, well-watered patch of land, how would you expect living creatures in that environment to live? What would you guess to be the state of their health? This is the foundation of the terrain theory. Focus on improving the terrain so that life, health, and vitality can return. The grass can be green again! Yes, it takes effort. No, it doesn’t come passively. But the results make it all worthwhile.
We Do Health Differently!
With cutting-edge testing, we help people assess the factors contributing to their chronic health challenges. We don’t just mask and treat symptoms. Instead, we remove the inhibitors so that true healing can transpire. We have seen the mainstream approach, and it tends to have a bleak prognosis. You don’t have to settle for that perspective. You have too much life to live. We have A Different Perspective. To consult with one of our practitioners and start your health journey, reach out to one of our clinics today.
