Cure For An Overtreated Society, Drugs & Surgery Should Be Your Last Choices

  Cures For An Over-treated Society Have Been Around

For Thousands Of Years

 The 7 Levels Of Healing

 By Rob Pell

Many people in our culture seem more concerned with maintenance of their car than maintenance of their body. If they were to discover that their car was running rough due to water in the gas they would undoubtedly do the smart thing and change the gas (fuel), not pay to rebuild the entire engine. However when it comes to their bodies these same people might choose to undergosurgery or use toxic medications rather than simply improve their diet (fuel) or get some exercise.

  Therein lies the confusion. Western medicine is so advanced it should always be the first choice for all our healthcare needs, right? Actually nothing could be further from the truth. In cases of acute trauma-for example the loss of a limb – there’s a chance that western surgeons might be able to re-attach it. However for long-term care of a chronic condition I believe you would enjoy better treatment from a doctor in China 1,000 years ago than you’d get from a western doctor today. Any long-term treatment (drugs) a western doctor prescribes for a chronic condition will almost always have long-term, toxic side effects – which today’s doctor may, or may not, understand. With the average American now using 13 prescription drugs a year, poorly understood side-effects are a major cause for concern.

 If you believe that the human birthright is to live a healthy life and that health is the normal condition for your body, you’re halfway to achieving that goal. You already understand that in times of sickness your body does everything possible to heal and repair itself, to re-establish your normal healthy condition, usually with no medical intervention at all.

  As a guide of knowing “where to shop” for healthcare I offer you the concept of the 7 levels of healing. Implementing this philosophy into your daily lifeyou’ll find that the least costly treatment with the fewest side effects will provide the most long-term benefit. The basic premise of my 7 levels of healing is that, beginning with level 1, you always try the simplest, most basic levels of healing before turning to more complex solutions at the bottom of the list. The higher the level (lowest number), the cost is typically lower and the side effects fewer.

  Level 1…..Intentional positive attitude shift and thought adjustment is sometimes all it takes to improve your health and can be the strongest “medicine” of all.

 Level 2 ….Fresh air, relaxation and deep breathing, thereby increasing oxygen, decreasing stress and clearing the mind has been used for centuries. Recently scientists have figured out that this stuff really works. Some might call this meditation. Scientists call it relaxation response therapy.

 Level 3…..Dietary changes and improved eating habits make huge difference. Astonishingly, it took the most esteemed doctor in the Country, the Surgeon General, until 1988 to acknowledge the basic truth that food matters. To our grandmothers and probably all grandmothers in history this truth was self-evident. Herbs and supplements would be included on this level.

 Level 4…..Energy based mind-body integrated exercises like the ancient practices of yoga and Tai Chi. Western forms of cardiovascular exercise can be included here if they are done with an emphasis of coordination, de-stressing and relaxing the mind and rejuvenating the body.

 Level 5…..Massage, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy and other forms of hands-on body work to re-establish and adjust the alignments and relationships between the body’s moving parts. They also help to reduce the effects of stress and overuse.

 Level 6…..Acupuncture has traditionally been used to reestablish balance to our body’s systems. Modern medical electrical stimulation techniques take a small page out of acupuncture books and also work directly with the body’s energy channels. Many athletic trainers use electronic devices to bring athletes back to competition quicker.

 Level 7…..Drugs and surgery are costly, invasive and often dangerous. Plus, the long-term side-effects are often very scary or unknown. It would be wise to use them only after methods from the other 6 levels have been tried.

  The levels on which you regularly “shop” for your health care may ultimately determine your long-term well-being.Why resort to complex, costly or dangerous solutions if simple and inexpensive would work well? Why risk the toxic side effects of drugs that may be worse than the condition they were used for, if a daily half hour walk might do the job?

  To be your body’s master mechanic, feed it good fuel and be consistent with maintenance. You’ll provide yourself with an extended” bumper to bumper warranty” to ensure a long and healthy life.

  Rob Pell owns and operates Sunshine Natural Foods in Grants Pass, Oregon and has 35 years experience helping people with natural foods, products, exercise and healing. This article appeared in The Daily Courier 11-27-2010.

 Rob Pell owns and operates Sunshine Natural Foods in Grants Pass, Oregon and has 35 years experience helping people with natural foods, products, exercise and healing. This article appeared in The Daily Courier 11-27-2010.