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The Illness/Wellness Continuum: Part A

Dr. Bruce J. Grandstaff | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 9 months AGO
by Dr. Bruce J. Grandstaff
| August 10, 2011 9:00 PM

In his book "Vibrational Medicine," Richard Gerber, M.D., has an excellent diagram entitled "The Illness/Wellness Continuum" adapted from a diagram by J. Travis. There are two opposing arrows, one going to the left which ends in "early death" and one going to the right, which is labeled "high level wellness." In the middle is a line which separates the two arrows labeled "neutral point (no discernable illness or wellness)." This neutral point I adapted with the words "OK" and "Just not sick."

Beginning on the neutral point and moving left toward "early death" are three progress points of developing illness, signs, symptoms and disability ending in "early death." This half of the diagram also has a smaller arrow beginning just before "early death" and progressing toward and just to the neutral point labeled "treatment model." Above it is another arrow beginning at the same place but goes all the way to "high level wellness" labeled "wellness model."

In my wellness classes, those of you whom have come to hear them know that I always ask these three questions:

1. Would you rather be wealthy or just not poor?

2. Would you rather be educated or just not dumb?

3. Would you rather be healthy or just not sick?

What I find is that too many of my new patients have accepted "just not sick" or were at the neutral point of the illness/wellness continuum for a long time. They have abdicated their responsibility for their own health trusting in the safety net of insurance, to catch them as they free fall toward early death, passing through signs and then symptoms and possibly disability before seeking answers. They then get on the treatment model and call it good. Most will stay on the treatment model, taking medications for the remainder of their lives, unless by chance, they get on the wellness model that often allows them to be able to no longer need to be on their drugs and to enjoy a higher level of living.

It's your body, your health and your choice. This is it. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live life to the fullest. Get that extra weight off. Reset the pancreas that is producing the excess insulin that is robbing you of your health and watch what your body is capable of doing. Give us a call at (208) 772-6015 for a free consultation or to attend our next class on the Ideal Protein diet/treatment. Come on Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint, let's lose weight and get healthy together.

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ARTICLES BY DR. BRUCE J. GRANDSTAFF

March 14, 2012 9:15 p.m.

The Skinny on Weight Loss: Part IV

Why eating less, eating a balanced diet and exercise are impractical for serious weight loss and can be dangerous.

January 18, 2012 8:15 p.m.

The Skinny on Weight Loss: Part I

As attested to by the many ads in the media, we are a nation of dieters. According to the Surgeon General of the United States, "The greatest threat to our country isn't terrorism, it's obesity." Perhaps more of us should be thinking about losing the unhealthy extra weight we've accumulated. But losing weight is physiologically unnatural. Many of you have tried can attest to that and that's why 95 percent of people who have successfully lost weight will gain it back.

March 7, 2012 8:15 p.m.

The Skinny on Weight Loss: Part III

How to obtain rapid weight loss safely and not create nutrition deficiencies.