Beware Sickcare: Shift to Optimal Health in Our Modern “Healthcare” System

[This post was originally published on neupttech.com and is republished with permission]

Today, in the arena of health and wellness, a seismic shift is underway. Our prevailing model of healthcare—or rather, “sick-care”— is beginning to give way to a more forward-thinking approach: optimal health. So, what is this shift all about?

Shift from Reactive to Proactive:
The Time Has Come
Presently, the healthcare system in the United States primarily functions reactively. It’s like waiting until your car has a blown engine before you consider routine maintenance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2019, nearly 90% of the nation’s $3.5 trillion annual healthcare expenditures are for people with chronic and mental health conditions.

Clearly, the reactive model is not working. Instead of addressing illness and disease after they’ve already taken root, isn’t it time we began investing in prevention and proactive care?

Replace Sickcare with Healthcare:
The Urgency of Change
The current sickcare system, focused primarily on treating disease, fails to address the root causes of many health issues—lifestyle choices. Consequently, patients get caught in a cycle of managing symptoms rather than improving overall health.

According to a 2020 report by the Milken Institute, if the focus of U.S. healthcare shifted to prevention and addressing root causes of diseases, potential healthcare savings could amount to nearly $1.1 trillion per year. This shift isn’t only about cost—it’s about quality of life, productivity and longevity.

Optimal Health:
A New Paradigm
Optimal health encompasses far more than mere absence of disease. It’s a dynamic, multifaceted state of being that includes physical, mental and social well-being. This involves regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, stress management, meaningful social interactions and a sense of purpose in life.

In this new paradigm, healthcare providers are developing more services to promote optimal health and wellness, shifting from problem-centered care to person-centered care.

For instance, integrative healthcare clinics now offer services like nutritional counseling, fitness coaching, mindfulness training and stress management programs as part of their comprehensive health strategies. These services not only treat existing conditions but help individuals cultivate healthy habits and lifestyle choices that prevent disease onset.

Heart Rate Variability:
Your Health in Numbers
One innovative tool for assessing your optimal health is Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a measurement of the variation in time between each heartbeat. This variable is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and can be used as an indicator of our body’s resilience and physiological adaptability.

A below average HRV score can indicate high sympathetic dominance, associated with increased incidence of chronic health issues, neurohormonal imbalance, poor sleep, mental stress/anxiety, poor immunity/risk of infection or illness, low energy, impaired conservation of resources and/or homeostasis restoration and increased incidence of pain/headaches (Shaffer F, Ginsberg JP. 2017).

Physical Therapy:
A Proactive Approach
Many physical therapists, like Competitive Edge Performance Physical Therapy in Tampa, Florida, have embraced the shift towards optimal health.

Using tools like HRV, they tailor individual programs to bolster overall health, prevent injuries and enhance recovery. They incorporate techniques such as exercise prescription, manual therapy, nutritional advice, education on body mechanics and even utilize unique technology that helps optimize the nervous system during the course of PT treatment.

A clinical HRV system, combined with physical therapy, delivers a more robust program of care. By assessing your HRV scores, physical therapists can customize treatments to meet your specific needs, helping you achieve and maintain your optimal health. This proactive approach aims to prevent health issues from arising in the first place, rather than treating them after they’ve appeared.

The Transformational Power of Optimal Health
Imagine a world where individuals could mitigate, even prevent, chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity—all major contributors to morbidity and mortality in the US (American Heart Association, 2020).

This isn’t merely a fanciful dream. This is the promise of optimal health.

The transformative potential of a healthcare system that prioritizes optimal health cannot be overstated. By focusing on prevention, we can enhance the quality of life, improve productivity and even save trillions of dollars in healthcare costs (National Institute of Health, 2020).

Your Invitation to Optimal Health in Tampa, FL
The future of healthcare lies in promoting optimal health—proactive, preventative, personalized care that empowers individuals to take charge of their well-being. This transformation has the potential to revolutionize health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and most importantly, improve quality of life.

We all deserve to live in a state of optimal health. But how can you begin this journey? The first step is understanding your current state of health.

That’s why we at Competitive Edge Performance Physical Therapy are offering you a unique opportunity. Come visit us and receive a FREE optimal health screening. We will assess your HRV and other health indicators, and guide you towards a personalized pathway to optimal health. This isn’t just about preventing illness, it’s about enhancing your wellness and unlocking your full health potential!

FREE OPTIMAL HEALTH SCREENING
Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to wellness? Let’s start today. Call (813) 849-0150 or visit us at 3105 W. Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629 and mention this article!

COMPETITIVE EDGE
813-849-0150 | goceppro.com