And yes, men, I’m especially pointing to you!
Oh, but we do. During initial appointments, patients tell me what they can do or what they are relegated to do for a day of success. A typical story begins with, “I ate, bathed, brushed my teeth, celebrated getting out of bed and not hurting, wasn’t tired, and got these things done before noon.” I hear these stories often during a new patient visit and then wonder what events in their life occurred for them to justify living this way and deeming their days as eventful or successful?
My job begins by educating this person who is struggling with their health, has made an effort to be in our office and is now sitting in front of me looking for answers. I explain how your body works, or the process that is limiting, and try not to overload them with medical jargon and the minutia of details.
It’s a delicate process. For the most part, we all know we should
- exercise daily
- limit sugar
- eat as natural as possible
- include plenty of vegetables
- take time for ourselves, relax
- don’t overeat or over-drink
- avoid carcinogens and poisons
- be happy
- communicate
To date, I’m yet to find anyone who’s 100 percent pleased because they are achieving all of these—but some folks are close. For someone who’s hearing that sugar is killing them, caffeine, or the big G-word, gluten, the list above can be a bit overwhelming. At least the issues are not severe enough to warrant hospitalization, right? A hospital visit is when most people take action, and often that is too late. The damage is done, and I am now managing their case the best I can to prevent further damage. Unfortunately, past damage can be irreversible.
Another argument is, “I feel fine.” I’m talking to you, men. “If I don’t feel a problem, then I must not have a problem.” That is far from the truth, and you know better. It doesn’t matter what field you are in, chiropractic, automotive, dental, heating and cooling, building roads, maintenance, documentation, or investing, the reason you have routine visits is to avoid the pitfalls in your health. You’ll do regular, proper maintenance on a boat or your vehicles—so it should go for your physical health.
Every day thousands of people, mostly men, are dragged into a doctor’s office for no apparent condition as they feel fine. After an examination, they find out they have arteries blocked, loss of functions, or even worse, cancer. Yet they felt fine! Ignoring the need to see a professional on a routine basis is just plain silly. I take my car in for routine maintenance. I see a dentist regularly. I have my mechanoreceptors stimulated at least monthly and have my blood tests run quarterly. Why? I believe in the art of prevention. If I can’t work, I can’t provide for my family. It also becomes harder to fulfill my role as husband, father, mentor, and friend. If I can’t be a mentor because I’ve ignored myself (because I felt “fine”) and yes, I know it’s possible to feel “wonderful” with a life-threatening condition, then what good am I to my family? I have a problem going to a dentist who has no teeth or a mechanic who tethers up loose pieces with chicken wire. I must live what I preach and what the research shows. Is it 100% safe and beneficial? No, nothing is, but it is the best approach for my family and me, and it also could be for you and your family.
The final argument that we hear in our office is the cost. While things can be tight from time to time, I also observe lifestyle choices. As I put new tires on a vehicle last week, I cringed on the cost, but I had to do it. Why? I need to preserve my life while driving and also my wife and children’s lives when they’re riding along with me. Interestingly enough, I spend a lot on yearly “maintenance” on my vehicles and guess what, I’m probably going to get rid of that vehicle soon. We must make sure we are investing in our own health, and not just devices and tools that will wear out faster than we do.
As Americans, we also spend excess funds on pets. I could provide numerous stories where pets were more important than their owner’s health, in addition to priorities of trinkets, lattes, and other luxuries. In my world, I have concluded anything I “feel” is expensive. It’s no longer about the cost; it’s about the priority.
If health and preservation of health, throughout your life, aren’t important to you, then my services aren’t a priority. In my world, health is a lifestyle, and it is a priority. I will spend more on quality food and less on other items because my thinking is, how can I enjoy life if I don’t feel good enough to enjoy it? At least that’s my $.02, and I’m grateful there is an ever growing following of patients who think like me. If they don’t, at first, it’s ok. I’m not here to convince you otherwise. But when you do come to that decision for yourself and your loved ones, I’m certainly excited and eager to help more because you are now involved.
If you or someone you know is looking for a doctor with these goals for them, our office is here, so be sure and direct them to our phone number or website. The skinny of my rant is, please do not hesitate to get evaluations for those you love and not to wait until there’s a “real” problem.
Be well and always keep learning,
Dr. Trites