OKC Chiropractor Out to Change State's Health Stats

March 8, 2012 - PRLog -- The thought of going to the doctor when sick is an unpleasant one for many.  Sitting in an office when feeling less than chipper is a turn-off.  Fears of the diagnosis, needles, testing, and the fees can be a deterrent.  But the thought of going to a doctor regularly when there are no symptoms often does not enter the mind.  Health tends to be put on the back burner until crisis pushes it to the forefront.  By that time, irreversible damaged may have occurred and management of symptoms, rather than true healing, may be the only option.

According to one Oklahoma City Chiropractor, this is the mindset that puts Oklahoma near the bottom of the state health rankings.  "Last year, Oklahoma was ranked 48th.  I believe we can change that," states Monty Harris, D.C.

What is his plan to make this happen?  Making healthy lifestyle changes accessible to everyone, for starters.  But there is another phase that he sees as more important.  "Statistically," he explains, "the people that make commitments to healthy lifestyle are people with higher education, and they tend to earn more money.  These lifestyle changes involve out-of-pocket expenses, and so are more easily accessible to those with more disposable income.  But there are also other factors to consider.  Higher education can mean more awareness of longevity and health factors.  But I believe more conservative areas of the country tend to be slower to change their beliefs than other areas, and that resistance to change can be detrimental.  My experience in Oklahoma is that there is a definite lack of understanding and value of health, and that most people are stuck in a crisis-only mode when it comes to taking care of themselves.  The only way to change that is to take the time to give people the big picture."

The big picture is understanding that health is not about symptoms, but about function.  Someone can be very sick but have no symptoms.  We hear of late-stage diagnosis of cancer all too often.  On the other hand, someone can be very healthy and their symptoms are making them miserable, because the body's normal responses often involve symptoms.  The truly sick (malfunctioning) body would give no symptoms when symptoms are warranted.

That is why he changed the way he practices.  "I run things on a membership basis, now. Rather than a per-visit fee, practice members pay a monthly fee for unlimited visits and chiropractic education.  This model accomodates the need for frequent visits if needed at the beginning of care without breaking the bank, and it allows household budgeting.  And regular care also meets another need.  It is a constant reminder to make other lifestyle changes such as how we eat and whether or not we exercise.  And many of these choices don't cost us any more than what we are doing now.  It is a stepping-stone to change.  And the biggest change has to be how we think.  When our goals change from avoiding symptoms to having the best life possible, our actions change."

According to this plan, when accessibility and education are improved leading to better lifestyle choices, Oklahoma's health status will improve as well.  The benefits to Oklahoma's people will go far beyond climbing higher in state rankings.  Improved health means a better life, and everyone deserves the chance to be their best.  

The office of Monty Harris, D.C. is at 7349 S. Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, phone (405) 684-8979. To read more on the subject of how we think about health, visit www.notefromthedoctor.com.