Lecturing on the west coast this week, and enjoyed Portland– a great town with a surprisingly robust offering of diverse health providers. I saw more signs advertising naturopathy, acupuncture, oriental medicine, manipulation and bodywork there than in any other North American city I’ve visited. In addition, I saw many more cyclists and runners..not just people out for exercise, but commuting and going to the store, bringing back groceries in a cart along the bikepaths that are everywhere.
As a chiropractor, I have always encouraged people to be active, and am inclined to think there is a correlation between the variety of alternative health offering and active lifestyles. My question: Are active people more open to alternative health approaches, or are those open to alternative healthcare approaches inclined to exercise more.
>My speculation: the arrow of causality points both ways.
>My reasoning: People who take responsibility for their health get more involved with their healthcare, and want to engage with someone to work with them, look at them, and listen to them…and they are more likely to be active.
>My advice to wellness professionals: Empower people to understand their health and their body, and help them be responsible for caring for themselves. To paraphrase an old ad line- An educated person is the best patient.
