The Health Care Revolution by Gregg Hake
Posted on | March 11, 2010 | No Comments
I came across an interesting article in the Natural Products Insider written by Steve French of the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI). Mr. French’s article, “Revolutionizing Health Care,” analyzes several of the primary forces catalyzing a shift from its current focus on “sick care” to “proactive health care.”1
The major forces at work, according to Mr. French, are the following:
1. Emerging Self-Responsibility – Mr. French notes: “the majority of consumers agree that taking responsibility for one’s health is the best way to stay healthy, and they show strong desire and self-motivation toward that end.”
2. Food as Medicine – According to Mr. French, “Food as the new “medicine” is a strong sign of consumers’ growing need to take more responsibility for their health and a contrary indication of a widely held belief within the industry that functional foods are reaching a plateau as a future market opportunity; in fact, functionality is poised to by a key driver across many existing and emerging markets.”
3. Less is More – The trends toward simplification and reduction, driven by the current economic uncertainty, are powerful agents helping to shape consumers’ approach to health care. Mr. French states: “Overall, consumers are moving away from consumptive and excessive behaviors, because simplification and practicality are becoming the new sophistication and the “right thing to do.”
4. Alternate Means – Consumers appear to be taking greater advantage of alternative modalities and supplementation to improve their health and consequently keep health care costs down.
5. Proactive Health – Greater emphasis on the “ounce of prevention” is likewise fueling the shift toward more proactive health care. Mr. French adds: “Health care is taking on new dimensions, as consumers are beginning to take tangible, measured steps in their everyday lives as a way to regain control over a lifestyle which appears to have veered off track. Consumers are recalibrating what is important in order to reestablish balanced and healthy lifestyle goals. Even more so in today’s economy, concern is evident as consumers are choosing to eat healthier, take supplements and use homeopathic remedies as alternatives to costly doctor visits and high-priced pharmaceuticals.”
While President Obama said recently that “Everything there is to say about health care has been said and just about everyone has said it,” it seems to me that insufficient attention has been given to the relatively inexpensive, highly effective and sustainable system of medicine that is known as “preventive” or “integrative” health care. The underlying trends and statistics that paint a clear picture of a new, more informed health care consumer and there is no better time than the present to consider what shifts might be required at the level of public policy to accommodate this promising development.
- Steve French, Revolutionizing Health Care, (Natural Products Insider, 2010) pp.16,17 [↩]
Integrating a BioEnergetic approach in Pittsburgh
Posted on | March 9, 2010 | No Comments
On Thursday, March 4th, Dr. Joy Sakonyi www.wellspringwholehelath.com shared her passion for BioEnergetic Medicine to a wonderful group of local practitioners in Pittsburgh PA. Those gathered appreciated Dr. Sakonyi’s delightful and informative message of hope, encouragement, and resolution as she reviewed some amazing case studies. Each practitioner attending had their own unique approach to individualized wellness, which gave recognition that there is not just one way, but many ways to provide optimal wellness. Thank you to Nikki Remic, owner of Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing www.pghhealthandhealing.com for sharing her beautiful space with us. The spa environment was certainly an oasis after a hectic day. Energetix feels deeply privileged to participate in what is sure to be an ongoing organic gathering of like-minded practitioners seeking to make a real difference in the world. Thank you Dr. Sakonyi for what you provided. Great work!
Tapeworms, the Economy and Medical Reform by Gregory Hake
Posted on | March 2, 2010 | 1 Comment
Warren Buffett (AP)
Intrigued by the analogy, I asked a doctor-friend of mine about parasites and here is what she had to say:
Usually contracted by eating raw or undercooked foods, tapeworms have several rows of teeth that are used to attach to the intestines. Hijacking the digestive system, these parasites absorb (through their skin) food and vital nutrients from the host. Some tapeworms will grow upwards of 50 feet long and will have a girth as large as the intestine.
If symptoms are present, they may include nausea, appetite loss, weakness, abdominal pain, loose bowels, weight loss and malnutrition. One of the vital nutrients absorbed by tapeworms is B-12, a nutrient that helps red blood cells to develop.
Tapeworms have been known to multiply and spread to other bodily organs. When this happens, overall health may deteriorate rapidly. Tapeworms that are no longer restricted to intestines can cause considerable damage to the tissues and organs. Some of the symptoms observed when worms are present in sufficiently large numbers, are neurological issues such as double vision and tingling of the face, high fever, seizures, bacterial, and allergic reactions.Tapeworms zap resources and energy from the host which can make it difficult to eliminate these invaders. As a result, parasite elimination requires a cohesive plan. Generally, tapeworms are expelled in pieces. The entire worm must be expelled to prevent it from regrowing.
Concern #1: “If symptoms are present, they may include nausea, appetite loss, weakness, abdominal pain, loose bowels, weight loss and malnutrition.” There is no doubt in my mind that the people of our great nation are experiencing economic forms of these symptoms every day. There is a general malaise, disorientation, reduction in consumption and both wallets and access to credit have diminished considerably.
Concern #2: “Tapeworms have been known to multiply and spread to other bodily organs. When this happens, overall health may deteriorate rapidly. Tapeworms that are no longer restricted to intestines can cause considerable damage to the tissues and organs.” The “tapeworm” that is health care costs has spread to other parts of the economy. Ask any small business owner if there are reasonable, affordable ways to provide health care insurance. Look at the incredible statistics on productivity losses in the workforce due to the expensive and ineffective health care system. Consider for a moment the long list of projects that must be put aside at the national and local levels as health care costs consume increasing amounts of the budget.
Concern #3: “Tapeworms zap resources and energy from the host which can make it difficult to eliminate these invaders. As a result, parasite elimination requires a cohesive plan. Generally, tapeworms are expelled in pieces. The entire worm must be expelled to prevent it from regrowing.” Buffett said in his interview that between the two present options, he would support the Senate plan for health care reform. But, he said, he would really prefer a “Plan C” that would “really attack costs.” As in the body, this would require a cohesive, no holds barred plan.
There are many ways to “really attack costs.” One of my favorites involves a seismic shift in the way we view health care: a move from an emphasis on intervention to a system focused on prevention. This approach provides enormous leverage as it would take the legs out from under chronic disease in our country. Management of chronic disease is the central cost driver in our current health care system. Reduce that by any percentage and the savings will be staggering.
Combine this shift with the other plans for payment and delivery system reform in the current proposals and then you will have a proposal that aggressively attacks costs. If the medical costs in our economic body do continue to progress as Warren Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha” predicts, the sooner we act, the better. Our nation’s health can only benefit from swift resolution.
Tags: Gregg Hake > gregory hake > health care reform > Prevention > preventive medicine > symptoms > tapeworm > warren buffett
How Spaghetti Changed the Medical System by Gregg Hake
Posted on | February 22, 2010 | No Comments
If you haven’t had a chance to read Malcom Gladwell’s books, such as “The Tipping Point,” “Blink” or “Outliers,” you’re missing a great read. Mr. Gladwell’s unconventional explanations delight and challenge broadly-held assumptions. In a talk given at a TED conference (see www.ted.com), he tells about the work of another innovative thinker, Dr. Howard Muskowitz, whose work transformed the food industry.
I invite you to watch this video and see my thoughts below on how we can apply this thinking to our medical system.
After seeing this video my mind started buzzing with implications and possibilities for our industry. Much of the present system is based on the limiting “universal” approach so well-described by Mr. Gladwell. ”one-size-fits-all” approaches to tackling illness are the norm and very little attention is given to the “variability” form patient to patient.
Many of the protocols in modern medicine follow a similar pattern. Sets of symptoms are matched with drugs to remove or suppress the symptom. Dosages may vary according to body weight, age, etc., but little weight is given to factors such as bio-compatibility, lifestyle factors or the relative health of systems or organs outside of the one in question.
Protocol-based medicine has value in that a large percentage of the population generally responds according to a certain intervention, yet like the cola example given by Mr. Gladwell, I believe that the answer is not Pepsi, but Pepsis! Variability ought to be primary in health care! But how? An individualized approach to medical care is the answer, one that takes into account a more holistic understanding of the body and its components. This is true in the allopathic model as well as the complementary and alternative model. The protocol approach is helpful, but not optimal.
Many great minds are working at developing this new system in the pre-eminent medical school and medical establishments around the country. A quick Google search shows integrative medicine programs offered by Duke University, The University of Michigan, the University of California San Francisco as well as research initiatives such as the Bravewell Collaborative(www.bravewell.org), the American Holistic Medical Association (www.holisticmedicine.org), and even the world’s largest health care system, the US Army!
The individualized approach has long been pooh-poohed by both sides of the medical community, yet I am sure that the managers of the Ragu brand felt the same until the idea of “extra chunky” hit the market. ”Happiness” is not a term typically associated with our health care system as it is presently configured. In fact, it’s hard to find a happy stakeholder in any corner of the debate.
Integrative medicine is an idea whose time has come. There will of course be the necessity of reformatting our system of medical education to provide a better understanding of this more team-based and holistic approach, as well as a reformatting of the payment and incentive systems, but it will come.
Tags: alternative medicine > complementary medicine > Gregg Hake > health reform > integrative medicine > Malcom Gladwell
The Key to Medical Reform by Gregg Hake
Posted on | February 10, 2010 | 3 Comments
I’ve often wondered if common sense could be applied to complex issues. Take health care reform for example. To describe it as labyrinthine would be an understatement. With stakeholders galore, political, financial, social, commercial, religious, ethical interests tussle for supremacy. Did I mention the seven billion lives at stake? What a wonderful challenge!
Where to begin? Perhaps with a few observations… The design of the body is marvelous. It adapts to a wide variety of climates. It runs on all types of fuels. It is self-healing in all but the most extreme cases. It is capable of amazing feats and if you doubt that, go marvel at a performance by Cirque du Soleil www.cirquedusoleil.com, read about the Haitian man who survived 27 days under the rubble http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8505387.stm, take a look at the astronauts currently on the Space Station http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html, and I could go on!
That said, your body has its limits. Sleep too little, work too hard, eat an imbalanced diet and eventually the edges will begin to fray. The performance envelope shrinks and “I just can’t do what I used to do” or “It takes me so much longer to recover after exertion” replace the sense of invincibility and limitless capability you likely enjoyed in your youth.
Recently, scientists in Germany observed that intense exercise over time improves “telomere biology,” meaning, that intense exercise extends the lifespan of your cells http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/phys-ed-how-exercising-keeps-your-cells-young/. Likewise, many studies are concluding that a balanced diet that goes light on alcohol, sugar and highly refined or processed ingredients can likewise make a big difference in overall health. So, we are finding data to support the maxim as an ounce of prevention really is worth at least a pound of cure!
We live in a world where chonic disease has spread like kudzu. Hold your breath and read this summary by the World Health Organization (WHO):
“Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Disease rates from these conditions are accelerating globally, advancing across every region and pervading all socioeconomic classes. The World Health Report 2002: Reducing risks, promoting healthy life, indicates that the mortality, morbidity and disability attributed to the major chronic diseases currently account for almost 60% of all deaths and 43% of the global burden of disease. By 2020 their contribution is expected to rise to 73% of all deaths and 60% of the global burden of disease. Moreover, 79% of the deaths attributed to these diseases occur in the developing countries. Four of the most prominent chronic diseases – cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes – are linked by common and preventable biological risk factors, notably high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and overweight, and by related major behavioural risk factors: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. Action to prevent these major chronic diseases should focus on controlling these and other key risk factors in a well-integrated manner.” http://www.who.int/chp/about/integrated_cd/en/index.html
So, the bulk of the problem is due to “common and preventable” factors. Brilliant! There is our starting point. Perhaps we can resolve a complex issue with common sense, after all! But how would that look? We’ll take a look at simple starting points for avoiding the well worn path to death and disability in future posts.
Add your comments to this post and share your ideas on how to approach healthcare reform.
Regional Event Proves Great Success!
Posted on | February 8, 2010 | 7 Comments
| February 26, 2010 | to | February 27, 2010 |
| April 23, 2010 | to | April 24, 2010 |
| June 18, 2010 | to | June 19, 2010 |
Lara Mealor | Energetix
It is always exciting when a group of like-minded practitioners come together, without ego, without agenda, but with open hearts and open minds to learn how to better serve their patients. This is exactly what occurred at the BioEnergetic Methodologies 2-day event in Indianapolis on January 29-30. Although the group was diverse in their backgrounds, the depth of passion and desire to grow forged a connection that will no doubt be long-lasting.
The Energetix staff presented material in a practical format so that the practitioners could take the information home and immediately implement it into their practices. The most popular topics included: learning about homeopathy and its vital role in the healing process, synergistic remedy combining, and the unique Energetix formulas.
Here a few comments from participants:
“Thank you for your personal attention this weekend. I could tell that everyone in attendance had the heart of a healer. Not all seminars are like that.”
“Thank you again for the wonderful seminar. I wanted you to know that I think that Donna and Rolando are two of the most knowledgeable facilitators that I have ever had the pleasure to experience. I learned SOOOO much! The energy and enthusiasm that you all have is incredible! I am very much looking forward to integrating Energetix products into my practice.”
“Of all the seminars I have attended, this conference offered the most valuable information that I could use right away in my practice. There was not the usual lure for more training, just a heartfelt desire to provide. Thank you for the quality experience, and I look forward to working with your company.”
“We felt so taken care of during the weekend. The instruction, the atmosphere and the wonderful new connections made for a truly wonderful experience. Great job!”
Please join us as we bring this exciting event to other areas around the country!
Our schedule includes:
Orlando, Florida – Friday, 2/26 – Saturday, 2/27
Austin, Texas – Friday, 4/23 – Saturday, 4/24
New York, New York – Friday, 6/18 – Saturday, 6/19
And more to come throughout the year!
Tags: education > energetic medicine > homeopathic > testimonials
