Having been on a quest to live the best and healthiest life possible, and having been in private practice caring for thousands of patients over the past 26 years, I believe I have some pretty decent insight on what works, what doesn’t, and how to go about getting what you want out of life.
There are several common and critical mistakes people make when trying to regain their health and get well. I will share a few that I see regularly so that you do not make those same mistakes. Hopefully, this will increase your chance of achieving the health goals you are seeking.
The first, and likely biggest mistake people make when trying to get well is that they pick the wrong therapy or treatment. There are many therapeutic and health-oriented options out there. Most of them help some people, sometimes, but do not help everyone, all the time. Because we are all different, one intervention may help one person, do nothing for another, and may even cause harm to another. Choosing the correct therapy is essential if you are looking to correct your problem.
If you want to lessen your pain, pain medication is what most people (and doctors) utilize. But if your goal is to correct the underlying cause of your pain, then pain medication is not the answer. Why? Because pain medication merely blocks the pain signals your body is producing, but does nothing to correct whatever it is that is causing that pain. Much like turning off a smoke detector that is blaring, it stops the noise, but the fire causing the smoke will continue to burn.
There are many valid therapies available, but no matter how good a therapy is, if it is not addressing the cause of your problem, you will not get better. I’ve seen many patients buy new mattresses or try new pillows, thinking those are the reasons they wake in pain. But if they have a spinal problem that needs attention, even the best mattress or fanciest pillow will not be the answer. I see many patients that have tried numerous home remedies and therapies, but because they did not address the true cause of their problem, they did not work. If you have a joint problem in your spine (vertebral subluxation being the most common), and you’ve tried stretching, exercising, physical therapy, acupuncture, or whatever else you could find, but are still struggling, it is likely because those approaches are not addressing your specific needs.
The first mistake people make is that they choose the incorrect therapy or treatment.
The second biggest mistake they make is that they do not give it enough time. Even if you pick the correct therapy, and no matter how good that therapy is, all healing takes time. It may be frustrating to put time, energy, and money into something, and not see the outcomes you expect. But stopping too soon will leave you short of your goal. Doing the correct thing is critical, but allowing it the time to do what it can is just as important.
The length of time that your problem has been developing will impact how long it will take to get better. Many health problems take years before they create symptoms, so while it may seem like a problem came on recently, it may have been brewing for years. And if it had been building up over years, you cannot expect it to be corrected in a week or two. So, make sure you hang in there with the correct therapy, giving your body the time it needs to fully heal. ALL healing takes time.
The third mistake people make is that they lose hope. It is easy to get frustrated after committing to a treatment protocol, putting in the work, and then not seeing the results you expect. Many people quit prematurely, and many quit just before having a breakthrough. Imagine digging for gold over many days, and quitting when being just one more strike with the shovel would have reached those riches. Hang in there. Following your healthcare providers recommendations (assuming you chose the correct provider and therapy) is essential to the success of that therapy. Don’t lose faith too early. Retaining that belief that you can be well will help you push through the slow times, when you are doing the work, but not seeing or feeling the results.
In your effort to be well, don’t make the most common mistakes. Choose safe, proven therapies and interventions, follow the recommendation of the professional making them, be patient, and remain hopeful. Sickness and disease are not normal, health and vitality are. Don’t accept anything less than optimal health, and continue to strive for that. Making less mistakes will help ensure better outcomes.