THE QUICK FIX IS NOT A FIX
Rapid Weight Loss vs. Lifestyle Change
Anti-inflammatory medication vs. Anti-inflammatory Diet
Pain medication vs. Chiropractic care and Applied Kinesiology
Anti-anxiety meds vs. Meditation and exercise
Infatuation vs. True Love
Fast food vs. Home cooking
As one can see by looking at the above list, the quickest ways are not necessarily the best ways, and most of the time, are not the healthiest ways. Of course there are times when quickest is best, such as running in a marathon. But even then, a true athlete trains for months and months, or years if it’s her or his passion.
We live in a “gotta have it now” culture, “must have results now”, “must have the answer now.” That gets us into trouble. Most decisions not well thought out are bad ones, and can wreak havoc. The same is true with our bodies. True change takes time. If we lose weight by changing our eating habits, our sleep habits, and exercise routine we get long lasting results, and we don’t have to work as hard. The change becomes us and we become the change, i.e. it becomes second nature. For example, I ALWAYS read ingredient labels on foods I purchase. It’s not difficult, it’s my habit.
Or think about exercise. If one goes to the gym one day, having not exercised in a long time, or ever, and proceeds to bench press very heavy weights, that person is guaranteed an injury. This is not only is painful, but sets back his/her plan to get in shape, potentially for weeks. Therefore rather than achieving a gain by lifting heavy weights, there’s an overall loss in time and acquired fitness. One would have been better off embracing a program of increasing the weights little by little. The tortoise and the hare is a metaphor for conscious and considered living.
Often times, people in pain come into the office wanting a quick fix. “I just want to get rid of my pain”. If that would really solve the problem then ibuprofen would truly be a wonder drug. But it doesn’t. Pain is not just a symptom, but also a sign that something is wrong. It’s your body asking for help, sometimes screaming. And the solution is not a pain killer, but rather a restoration of health including proper spinal alignment, muscle balancing, dietary modification to reduce inflammation, nutrients to promote healing, exercise recommendations, emotional and psychological support when needed.
The point is that true and lasting transformation takes time. But as I always tell my patients, time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well start now!