A Holistic/Full Body Approach to Rehab

Imagine a world where you could truly overcome chronic pain, not just manage it. Imagine a healthcare system that focuses on preventing future problems rather than simply treating existing ones.

Name something that has always existed, but seems to be elusive in the modern era. I’ll start: holistic health and a full body approach to movement rehab and wellness. 

The American Healthcare System is fighting a war it will not win. It is fighting the war of symptom management. Our current healthcare system excels at treating acute illnesses and injuries, but often falls short when it comes to addressing the root causes of chronic health conditions.

If you just had an accident or surgery, you are likely to get a good standard of care. 

The issue lies in chronic health and wellness conditions. 

America is a land that is suffering from chronic disease. We don’t eat well, we don’t move enough, and we don’t zoom out and look at the bigger picture. 

Here is a quick list of Chronic Disease that have a significant burden on our society.:

• Heart Disease & Stroke: Major contributors to mortality. Improved diet (lowered processed foods, increased fruits/vegetables) and regular exercise significantly reduce risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Largely preventable with lifestyle changes.
• Certain Cancers: Some cancers have strong links to diet and obesity.
• Osteoporosis: Weight-bearing exercise strengthens bones.

Mental Health:

• Depression & Anxiety: Exercise has powerful mood-boosting effects.

Other Conditions:

• Obesity: A major public health concern with numerous health complications.
• Sleep Disorders: Regular physical activity can improve sleep quality.
• Immune Function: A healthy lifestyle supports a stronger immune system.

Chronic diseases like heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US, and diabetes, a rapidly growing epidemic, have a devastating impact. They significantly increase healthcare costs, accounting for 90% of the nation's $4.5 trillion in annual health care expenditures. These conditions not only impact individuals, reducing their quality of life and productivity, but also strain social support systems and the economy as a whole.

This solution does not completely lie with medication and symptom management. 

Sure, you can take a pill to relax or help your pain, but it is not addressing the root of the problem. 

We often think that conservative care (physical therapy, chiropractic, etc.) are good solutions to chronic movement problems, but if they operate within the existing medical system, then you are likely to get a similar result.

Let’s use back pain for example.

It is common to be experiencing recurring back pain despite multiple rounds of physical therapy. I have talked to too many people who received back massages, stretches, and exercises, but the pain kept returning. This traditional approach failed to address the underlying factors contributing to their back pain, such as poor posture, weak core muscles, and limited hip mobility.

 If you have back pain and go to physical therapy, you will likely be given stretches for your low back, some manual therapy for pain relief, and electrical stimulation paired with a heating pad for more relief. You will be expected to continue to receive this level of treatment throughout your plan of care. This is no different than going to a doctor and getting medication to control your blood pressure!

In order to make real lasting change, you need to zoom out and have a bigger plan in place. Instead of just treating the 'pixels' on the screen (the pain), we need to zoom out and understand the entire picture – the underlying software and hardware that are causing the problem. The bigger picture not only focuses on the pain itself, but it captures more relevant information and data to get to the root of your problem to keep them away for good! A thorough evaluation should include, but are not limited to: 

• Posture Analysis
• Gait assessment
• Breathing patterns
• Endurance/Capacity Testing
• Functional Movement Screening
• Neurological Coordination Assessments

All of these should be standard when it comes to evaluating the low back. Movement needs to be assessed from foot to skull, not just the local area of pain. With a more detailed assessment, we can discover and find more areas that will require change to truly gain control over one's health. 

A holistic approach empowers individuals to take control of their health, leading to improved quality of life, reduced reliance on medication, increased energy levels, improved sleep, reduced stress, and enhanced overall well-being.