Ames, IA Wellness Providers Working to Reform Health Care Locally

Nov. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- A coalition of providers gathered at North Grand Mall on Saturday October 24 to offer education on the health conditions that are bankrupting America’s health care system. The group seeks more venues of public engagement in Ames, Iowa. Please contact the group organizer, Dr. Zachary Ward, for more details.

“It’s no secret that America is in the middle of a health care crisis,” noted Dr. Zachary Ward, Ames Chiropractor and organizer of the event. “Health care costs are rising, more and more Americans lack adequate insurance, and obesity and chronic disease seem to be spiraling out of control. We need a better way of thinking about health.”

The concerns of the group match the concerns of national health care analysts and governmental think tanks. Government reports over basic health care indicators show little improvement over the past 10 years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the treatment of chronic diseases account for 75% of health care expenditures in the United States, and many of the these conditions are directly related to life style choices.

“We’re not being controversial at all to say that we have one of the most expensive health care systems for the quality of the outcomes that we see, especially when it comes to chronic conditions,” continued Dr. Ward. “Our health care system excels in many areas, but in encouraging natural approaches to health, it’s suffering from a lack of new ideas. It's no different in Ames, Iowa.”

How can wellness providers bring a solution to the crisis? Dr. Ward cites recent data showing how one 7-year review of an independent physicians association, managed by chiropractors, actually reduced hospital admissions and pharmaceutical costs, when compared to other physician associations in the same region.

“If you want to have health, you need freedom from interference in the systems that keep the body healthy. That means you need movement, spinal alignment, nutrition, rest, and the right attitude,” said Dr. Zachary Ward. “But many people have lost the knowledge of what the right nutrition is, and they’re afraid to move because of pain and de-conditioning, and don’t know about natural choices. That’s why a diverse team of us are gathering to spread the word.”

Among other participants, The Ames Wellness Fair includes: Physician Assistant Julia Egli from Hamilton Hospital, speaking on cholesterol and weight loss; Valerie Stallbaumer from Story Medical’s Natural Health Clinic, speaking in the role of acupuncture and Chinese medicine; Dr. Amie Rockow-Nelson, Neuromuscular Dentist, speaking on the way bite alignment can affect quality of life; Physical Therapist Ria Keinert, speaking on holistic body work and women’s health issues; Lynette Heetland, RN, speaking on the role of biofeedback in identifying hidden problems underlying many chronic diseases.

“People need to start taking responsibility for their health. And as Ames, IA based wellness providers, we have the right tools to encourage natural, preventive, cost-effective choices as the first course of action,” said Dr. Ward in his Ames office, Ward Chiropractic Group, online at http://drzward.com

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Clinical Utilization and Cost Outcomes from an Integrative Medicine Independent Physician Association:
An Additional 3-year Update. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2007 (May);   30 (4):   263–269

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About Ward Chiropractic Group: Ames, Iowa Chiropractor Dr. Zachary Ward practices a gentle, effective form of chiropractic called upper cervical chiropractic care (NUCCA). His practice, Ward Chiropractic Group, is located in Ames, Iowa. He blogs about natural health at http://DrZWard.com .