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ISSUE 975 - FEBRUARY 2023
Life'POINTS' FOR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS by Dr. Lisa Holt, DACM, MS, RN After so much uncertainty in the last few years, we are now reassessing what is most important in our lives. Shifting goals, changing times and moving boundaries are the current themes of the world we live in. Feelings of instability and disconnection with our comfort zones have replaced the prior solid and determined visions of future-plans and success metrics that we were taught to rely on. Even more than in new year’s past, resolutions are being called upon to discover alternative solutions to persistent conflicts such as financial, health and well-being and mental-emotional crises. More than 50% of new year’s resolutions involve commitments to healthier behaviors: 51% resolved to eat more fruits and vegetables, 67% resolved to exercise more, 45% resolved to lose weight and an overwhelming 70% want to reduce their stress levels. In far simpler terms, when a problem, conflict or mystery reaches a resolution, it has been solved or dissolved, so to speak. The idea, then, is that it goes away or changes into a form that is more acceptable or tolerable. The beginning of 2023 may continue to seem unfocused, overwhelming or unclear. New Year’s resolutions become just that, when we lose our resolve. Success in any resolution involves finding what empowers us the most, then living from that place of authenticity. 2023 is no exception. Make a plan, work the plan, and stay with the plan. The good news is that there are ample opportunities being presented daily that give us a helping hand when we need it the most. Healthcare services are at the top of list. 2023 will be a record year for changes in healthcare. While rising costs in every sector of industry is bearing down on households, consumers are looking for practical solutions that will allow them to continue living their best lives. The 2023 outlook predicts key changes in healthcare data analytics and collection, equitable social access, behavioral modifications and life-sciences and research breakthroughs that specifically empower the consumer by placing the responsibility of self-care into their own hands, thereby transforming the existing health systems into more preventative and cost-savvy models. 2023 is inviting us to express our most authentic self. Process-oriented methods ground us into time management, project management and emotional management for life success. The opportunity to learn and live in self-respect, self-responsibility, and self-care is an empowering life skill. Discovering our true purpose leads to higher productivity and patterns of success. Muscle memory leads to motivation and merits of peak life moments. Sincere and accurate interpretations lead to new inspirations which integrates courage in commitments for this new year! Integrative medicine models offer education, training and priority-based methods of health promotion and illness prevention which empower individuals, families and whole communities the live their best financial, health and well-being commitments. LifePoint Medical Consultants offers an integrative approach that combines a Functional medicine approach with our own Traditional practice model which is a unique style that addresses many complex and chronic health conditions. Call LifePoint today at 719-314-9121 to find out if we are right for your health journey. Make the most of 2023! ISSUE 976 - MARCH 2023
Life'POINTS' FOR MEDICAL ADVOCACY by Dr. Lisa Holt, DACM, MS, RN While the coronavirus pandemic seems far from over, some are wondering how it will change the lives of people in the years to come. Uncertainty about long-term economic, political, social and public health impacts prompt widely differing opinions and speculations. Many seem to agree that it will change some things permanently—or at least until the next major crisis changes the landscape again. Access to quality healthcare is changing, as well as the definitions of levels of care. The capacity of an already burdened healthcare system to meet the growing demands of a population in crisis is the next big challenge for all of us. The United States spends more per capita on health care than any other country. The National Health Expenditure Data (NHED) reported that every sector of spending increased across the healthcare landscape in 2022 and is predicted to continue to rise until 2030, without fail. This will happen, in part, because of our aging population, a historical disease treatment paradigm, and ineffective recognition of communities in need. These expenditures account for 19.7 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product, about $4.3 trillion (National Health Expenditure Data, CMS.gov, 2022). American medicine, and the basic and clinical research that inform its practice, are generally acknowledged as the best in the world, however the nation's substantial health-related spending has not slowed, nor has it established an upward trend toward a healthier population. Struggles with the ‘health-care delivery system’ may happen because of communication barriers, work-flow challenges associated with complex coordination, and anxiety due to lack of continuum of care. This results in silo’d populations, which are the most in need of healthcare services. It also limits access to a coordinated care team. For us to enjoy optimal health, as individuals and as a community, we must have the benefits of high-quality health care services that are effectively coordinated and a strong health and social services care team. A person-centered approach includes inquiry and reflection, communication, and rapport, which are necessary for effective disease prevention and health promotion. The integration of clinical, social, behavioral and mental health care is paramount to practicing whole person-centered care. These current global health initiatives effectively connect a consumer to the services they need in a streamlined and financially responsible process. Strategies that bring health care to where people are include deploying telemedicine, virtual doctor appointments, mobile health clinics, community nurses who venture out to provide care for homeless populations, and new and exciting approaches to health promotion and illness prevention. Successful healthcare delivery relies upon accountability from providers, patients and community, access to integrative care coordination and consumer ownership. The availability of Integrative medical services provides opportunities to bridge the gaps that currently exist in many communities. Locating practical community-based health and social service resources takes research, a well thought out plan of action, decision-making skills and trust in your own discovery process. This allows us to invest in a future with options, security and informed choice. Ultimately, the payoff is well worth our health. LifePoint Medical Consultants offers a whole person-centered- care approach that provides long-term health promotion, illness prevention and pain management services. Call LifePoint today 719-314-9121 to discuss your health care journey! ISSUE 977 - APRIL 2023
Life'POINTS' FOR THE SCIENCE OF HEALTH PART 1 OF 2 by Dr. Lisa Holt, DACM, MS, RN Why is it important to know the science of health? Simply put, because there is a lot of misinformation out there—from anecdotes disguised as evidence to excessive claims made by supplement manufacturers to TV and internet doctors touting the latest "miracle cure." When it comes to some complementary and integrative health approaches, how certain products or practices are labeled or talked about may be vague or confusing, and many people misunderstand what they actually mean. The new era of integrative medicine practices have created confusion from so many of the terms that are used to differentiate each health approach. For example, what is the difference between Integrative, Functional and complementary medicine? What about holistic, alternative and natural medicine? Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but in fact they are very different. What is even more confusing is which of these medical disciplines hold a valid state license to practice the services offered. Let’s take a peek inside of these terms to find out exactly what they mean. Integrative medicine includes whole medical systems like Conventional (Western), Chinese (TCM), Homeopathic, Naturopathic and Chiropractic practices. These medical systems contain diagnostic, treatment and outcome-based practices which rely on sound research and evidence-based science. Further, these integrative practices are in addition to, not instead of, conventional medical practices. The combination of interventions may include custom phytonutrient and herbal formulations, nutritional and medical supplements, laboratory measurements, medical acupuncture procedures, movement exercises, neurological stress adaptation, osteopathic, manipulative, and body-based practices. Practitioners who offer these modalities must obtain a state license to perform these services. Functional medicine is a systems-based approach to patient care. It looks upstream to determine the many causes that can lead to an illness, and uses the information gathered to identify the root causes of illness, including triggers such as poor nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics, mental- emotional stressors, lifestyle, and unique physiological deficiencies. It is a patient-centered approach to chronic disease management. Most Functional medicine practitioners have the ability to offer a healthcare service. If certified, these providers have trained and passed a rigorous examination through a provider organization. Remember to ask if the provider is licensed to practice by a state licensing board. Complementary approaches are provided alongside many other practices in order to gain the most from recommended treatments, protocols or therapies. Some techniques include yoga, tai chi and chi gong, art, music and dance therapy, stress reduction, breathing techniques, biofeedback, meditation, reiki and guided imagery and some physical and occupational therapies. These therapies are offered by a trained practitioner or certified teacher, but do not necessarily need to be licensed by the state. Read Part 2 of The Science of Health next month in Issue 978 - May 2023 LifePoint Medical Consultants offers a whole person-centered care approach that provides long term health promotion, illness prevention and pain management services. Call LifePoint today 719-314-9121 to discuss your health care journey ISSUE 978 - MAY 2023
Life'POINTS' FOR THE SCIENCE OF HEALTH PART 2 OF 2 by Dr. Lisa Holt, DACM, MS, RN Holistic Medicine is more of a philosophical approach toward an attitude of health. Holism means “dealing with the whole.” A holistic practitioner will address not only the physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual aspects that are at the root of the condition. Many types of providers offer a holistic philosophy of healing and may include the following- the belief that all people have inborn healing abilities, that a patient and doctor work together as a team to address all areas of life that affect health and wellness, treating a patient as a person, not the disease, fixing the cause of the ailment, not just relieving symptoms, the mind-body connection treats the whole person. While there is no licensed discipline that is unique to holism, many medical professionals take this approach to patient care. Alternative Medicine can be defined as an approach to a medical diagnosis in which the patient has chosen a non-medical, non-standard pathway to treatment. Typically, these methods are viewed as unresearched, unproven, ineffective or unacceptable by the current standard of clinical measurement. Some methods include supplements, botanicals, hypnosis, biofeedback or energy therapies as a replacement to conventional recommendations for a diagnosis. In recent years, however, many alternative therapies have gained popularity because the consumer wants more control of their own responsibilities and choices. Natural Medicine is a term used to purport that supplements are safe and have little or no interactions with concomitant medicines. Unless you go into your yard or garden and pluck it from the earth, it is not natural. Natural does not come in a bottle, bag or can. Nor is it processed, manufactured, or prepared. There are many misconceptions about the word natural and this may create a false sense of safety, efficacy and outcome. There is no such thing as natural unless you are boiling fresh dandelions from your grass or ginger root from your grocer. The attempt of the natural medicine industry to push bottles of supplements may cause your proper diagnosis or treatment to be delayed. If you are searching for valid resources, evidence-based research, proven information and supported clinical findings, use the most up-to-date and accurate sources that are available. For example, high-quality resources include: Medline Plus (sponsored by the National Library of Medicine), which is part of the National Institutes of Health Pub Med (sponsored by the National Library of Medicine) which is part of the National Institutes of Health Healtfinder.gov (sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion) in the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) website. NCCIH is the Federal Government’s lead agency for scientific research on complementary and integrative health approaches. Once you have a good understanding of your interest, schedule time with your licensed provider to discuss your questions and concerns. Your best resource is the provider your trust in! LifePoint Medical Consultants offers a whole person-centered- care approach that provides long-term health promotion, illness prevention and pain management services. Call LifePoint today 719-314-9121 to discuss your health care journey! |
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