Our health is under attack. We currently live in the most obese, polluted and energy-drained environment in the last 90 years. It is a fact that 92 percent of people over 50 have at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two. It is time to change how we think of health care and break away from "the normal aging process."

There are a couple of serious problems with our current health care system when it comes to aging gracefully. One is that unless you can be diagnosed with a full-blown disease, you are simply told to watch it. Basically, go away until you get sick enough to fit the sickness model. The other is that people are making their health care decisions based only on insurance coverage. Most insurance does not pay for the more proactive forms of health care that can really prevent them from succumbing to the chronic diseases of modern society.

There is a more proactive approach than our current standard of sick care. It starts with understanding that what you are doing right now isn't working. A holistic approach that goes beyond drugs, surgery, and just treating symptoms can elevate you beyond sickness care. Address the underlying cause of disease and focus on prevention instead of focusing on symptom control.

Graceful aging requires knowledge about a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle is the ingredient that makes the difference between just getting by and aging gracefully. You must be willing to take responsibility for your own health and have a real desire to make the changes necessary to become healthy. In this paradigm, you can't just hand over the responsibility of your health to a doctor.

Holistic doctors such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, and naturopaths are ideal coaches for healthy lifestyle changes. They have the skills and knowledge to help you create an ageless lifestyle for you and your family.

For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy at [email protected].