Beyond Premiums: Acupuncture, Bodywork, and Your Health
In this blog post, the author shares personal experiences with healthcare and insurance, expressing concerns about rising costs and decreasing benefits. The author emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in health and well-being, offering practical suggestions for self-care and stress relief. From bodyweight exercises and outdoor activities to acupressure techniques, these tips are presented as investments in what matters most: our health.
The True Value of Health: Beyond Premiums and Deductibles
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game of insurance premiums and deductibles. But as a practitioner and consumer, I’ve come to realize that the real value of health lies beyond these figures.
The Misleading Maze of Insurance
Recently, I noticed an increase in my insurance premium. After a series of calls and a rollercoaster of information, I found out that a benefit I thought I had was a mistake. It was a frustrating experience, but it made me question the real value of insurance.
The Real Impact on Our Health
Looking at my premiums and deductible, I realized I’m paying more for less. So, what are my options? I could change plans, but what is this really doing for our health? The answer is, not much.
The Power of Personal Health Actions
What truly influences our health are the steps we take ourselves. Observing the rising obesity rates and the state of health regulations, I realized that conventional medicine’s view of health and well-being is not the only path.
The Best Defense is a Strong Offense
The best defense against health issues is a strong offense, which means taking care of ourselves and being resourceful. Self-care, including acupuncture and bodywork, can address what ails us and improve our well-being for deeper and longer-lasting results.
Practical Tips for Health and Well-being
If you’re short on time, bodyweight exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and leg lifts can bring about a healthy glow. Living near a park? The greenery is good for relaxation and blood pressure. A pull-up bar on the playground can provide a good stretch and remind you of those unused muscles!
For some light reading, a stretch, and a release, pick up a copy of “The Acupressure Warm-Up” by Marc Coseo. A tennis ball might just become your new best friend. In need of a read? For a deeper dive into personal health, give “Eat Like A Human” by Dr. Bill Schindler a read. This book offers insightful perspectives on nutrition and health, further fueling your personal health revolution!
Implementing these suggestions won’t count towards your deductible, but they’re an investment in what matters most - your health.
Join the Conversation
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Have you tried any of these self-care practices? Do you have any other tips for improving health beyond insurance premiums and deductibles? Share your experiences in the comments below or get in touch with me at david@davidengstrom.net for more personalized advice.
Unleashing Your Inner Strength: A Journey Through Acupuncture and Bodywork
How do you define strength?
How do you define good health?
How do you define strength?
How do you define good health?
Are bulging muscles and blood vessels and a grimacing stare the gauge of strength? Most likely not.
For some, it’s more about the quality of life. For others it’s all about quantity.
Defining Strength and Health in the Modern World
What does it mean to be strong? Is it about bulging muscles, or is it something more? For many, strength and health are about quality of life. As a practitioner of East Asian Medicine and Zen Bodytherapy/Structural Integration, I’ve seen how these definitions can evolve, and not always for the better.
The Power of Balance: Acupuncture and Bodywork
Strength isn’t one-size-fits-all. It varies from person to person, influenced by lifestyle, habits, and personal outlook. Acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork, and energy cultivation practices are rooted in the ancient Chinese principles of Yinyang, and offer a unique approach to cultivating strength.
Lessons from the Ancients: Longevity in Chinese Medicine
Thousands of years ago, the ancient Chinese observed shifts in lifestyle that disrupted balance and drained life forces. They noted that longevity declined when people indulged in excesses. Too much food, drink, and sex can lead to the depletion of vital energies. These observations still hold today and form the basis of acupuncture and other Chinese medicine practices such as dietetics and Qigong. Self-treatment with moxibustion, self-massage, and herbal decoctions including herbs such as Ren Shen (ginseng), Da Zao (jujube fruit), and Gan Cao (licorice) may be employed. Walking as well as martial arts such as Tai Chi Chuan might be practiced daily.
The Lifestyle of Strength From the Mid-Twentieth Century
John McCallum, a health enthusiast from the 1960s, defined good health as having energy, sound sleep, and no illnesses. He believed that a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a balanced diet, was key. This aligns with the principles of Chinese medicine which views health as a holistic endeavor.
Redefining Good Health: The Role of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
So, what is good health? Is it perfect lab results or an A+ on your annual physical exam? Or is it about feeling good in your own skin? From my experience, strength and good health are about living a life filled with energy, joy, and the ability to adapt to life’s changes and challenges.
Your Definition of Strength and Good Health
Strength is more than an athletic endeavor. It’s about resilience and adaptability. What’s your personal definition of “strength and good health”? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop me a line at david@davidengstrom.net