I was in a conversation with someone the other day who is dear to me. She had some medical concerns and ended up in the health system with a large medical bill. She has health insurance but as many, has a very high deductible (so she can afford the monthly payments) and will have to pay the whole thing out of pocket.
Not an uncommon story.
I am going to get on my soap box for a bit so if you do not want to hear this, you can click out right now.
There are so many things that are wrong about this system that I try not think about it very often because it gives me a stomach ache.
Isn’t that an irony in itself. Thinking of health insurance and medical care gives me a stomach ache……….
If I take this word literally, it would seem that if I took money out of my pocket each month and spent money on health insurance, that my health will be insured. Wow! That would be great!
Wonder how that would happen?
Of course, we know that is not true.
Health insurance does not insure health. It insures that we may or may not have help paying our medical bills. It has nothing to do with health.
I have had many clients come to me miserable in their jobs. They say “my job is making me sick”. I say, ” well, why don’t you leave?” “I can’t, I need the health insurance.”
What!!
My typical response is, “Well, if you weren’t in a job you hated do you think you may be less likely to get ill?”
So many people feel trapped because of their “health benefits”. This is so backwards!
When I think of alternative health therapies I do not get a stomach ache. In fact, I get excited to have the opportunity to see my health practitioner. Massage, yoga, acupuncture, etc……..wow! I love choosing therapies that SUPPORT my health and I get immediate results from these therapies as well as long range results.
In the time and place that we live, it is probably wise to have medical insurance. But for someone like me who spends her money on alternative health care, it is not very helpful.
The point is living a healthy life style is our most powerful insurance and that is where we must be sure that we ARE willing to spend money.
Good food, yoga, a gym membership, nature, massage, acupuncture, chiropractors, Reiki, EFT, homeopathy, essential oils, herbs, meditation, good friends, laughter, dance………..THESE are the things that will take us on a path towards health.
Nothing is a for sure. There is no guarantee. But each day we get to choose where we spend our dollars and if we are leaning towards health or away from it. One choice at a time.
I am grateful for the many wonderful alternative health care providers there are in this town. I used to have to drive to the cities for this type of care but now we are rich in our community with so many gifted and caring practitioners.
Here is a VERY partial list (but ones I have experience with):
Sun Moon Yoga Studios, Yoga!
Life Time Massage
Julie Dickhudt, massage
Heather Comeaux, massage
Louise Sturm, massage
Katherine Van DeHarr, shiatsu
Amy Cardamone-Rayner, acupuncture
Charlotte Gallagher, acupuncture
Keith Kuch, Chiropractor
Kevin Hardesty, Chiropractor
Pat Ruether, Naturopathic Doctor
Jeff Kotulski, DO
When people come to see me that have a health issue I always ask them, “what is your wellness/health plan?”
That is what I am interested in hearing about and where I can support them.
That is where we should all be putting our attention.
When our bodies speak to us, it is helpful to ask, “How can I support my body to regain its health?” And then put your attention there.
Our bodies are always trying to heal themselves but sometimes they do need extra support.
Let’s give a big shout out to all those supporting our high level wellness every day! m
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