Let’s face it, times are changing fast and nowhere is that more obvious than in the area of health care. One change that has been on the rise for some time is the utilization of alternative means for health and wellness. Even though alternative medicine has been around for years, the concerns about costly health problems and the frightening state of health care is driving this trend at a rapid pace.

Whether we want to admit it or not, the overall state of health of the average American is anywhere from below average to poor. That is nothing short of a disaster within our – inappropriately named – health care system. Yet, while our government is in the midst of ‘health care reform’, our citizens are continuing a trend that has been growing for the past few decades; they are taking measures into their own hands in attempts to improve their health and well being. Americans are spending more than ever on, what many are coming to believe as, a better alternative to their health needs. However with these statistics prevailing since the late 80’s at least, one has to ask which is the alternative?

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has attracted more patient visits as compared with visits to conventional medical doctors for at least two decades. This fact was confirmed by several studies beginning in 1990 by Dr. David Eisenberg, a Harvard medical doctor specializing in alternative medicine practices. At that time CAM practitioners were seeing almost twice as many patient visits as medical doctors and that trend has only continued to grow.

Currently our nation spends over $34 billion per year among 83 million Americans currently utilizing some form of alternative medicine. For years more and more have been seeking alternative medicine approaches to cancer, chronic-fatigue syndrome, women’s health and pregnancy issues, circulatory conditions, diabetes and even heart disease. The majority of this current expenditure is determined to go toward pain management and overall wellness. Moreover the trend is merging toward wellness care, or taking care to protect one’s health instead of the classic reactionary and failing method of waiting to treat a condition or a symptom.

While medical doctors are quoted as believing they should prevail as the authorities of peoples’ health, our society doesn’t seem to have the same perception. In a recent ABC news interview, a medical doctor stated “we need to be fully informed and educated so that we can be helping to guide patients to what is helpful, beneficial and what works, and away from what may be potentially dangerous or harmful.” (You mean like medical care and pharmaceutical drugs…?) In that same broadcast an elderly woman stated “whether through acupuncture, massage therapy or herbal supplements, I’ve gained my health back. It’s amazing!”

It’s interesting that medical advice would discourage such popular methods of well health care as being potentially dangerous, yet the statistics for mortality of pharmaceutical drugs only continues to increase with “medical care” established as the fourth leading cause of death in the country.  Contrast that to the extremely minimal risk of acupuncture, massage or even chiropractic manipulation, and with the nearly non-existent side effects of nutritional supplements. Incidentally, most problems that may arise from taking vitamins and supplements are related to the contraindications of medications prescribed only by medical professionals.

A recent medical survey has stated that the increased utilization of alternative medicine is “a problem” because these treatments are not found in hospitals and not taught in medical schools. Medical doctors know little about the kind of therapies that more patients are seeking and the methods of treatment that are finally providing people the means to “regain their health”.  Even though research studies and books on alternative medicine have been published for decades, the NIH (the country’s major scientific funding agency) is now looking into which alternative therapies may work better and deserve more tax payer research.

As stated before, the kind of medical care most people of this country are familiar with is critical care, crisis management, or as some have phrased it, disease or illness care. But let me be clear that the scale of critical care of our country’s medical centers is the best in the world. Should anyone be the victim of a severe injury, there is no better place to be for the life saving technology that exists. As for restoring and bringing about better health of our citizens and especially our children, we still have a long way to go.

The fact remains that in terms of overall health, the US ranks as one of the most unhealthy nations on the planet. Regardless of the media and commercial efforts to promote medical alternatives, our society is becoming aware of better and more cost effective solutions to their health needs. For decades, there has been a trend where Americans have continued to migrate toward a self-directed choice of alternative means of managing and even restoring their health.

Not only are we are bombarded with drug commercials, but medical treatments for weight loss, heart disease and even depression are escalating at an alarming rate regardless of the fact that the results of these efforts are not changing these conditions at all. So when more and more citizens are turning toward ‘alternative’ medicine which is helping to “restore” their health instead of conventional medical treatments, one has to ask; which is the alternative?

Health and wellness programs for elderly citizens are gaining in popularity and growing in demand. Below are a few ideas to help promote improved energy and fitness, maybe even a renewed sense of well being. Even chronic illness can be prevented and slowed by improved physical as well as mental fitness. Before you fret that this means a lot of hard work, you may find the information very important.

Some believe this trend has come about due to the increase in longevity and the rapid rise in the percentage of individuals 65 years of age and older. It is estimated that older adults will make up 22 percent of the population by 2020. There is also the combination of baby boomers that are contributing a surge of the population into the 65 year-plus era.

Yet regardless of the population statistics, the growing trend of wellness and preventative health practices is taking place in large part for a number of other reasons.  Namely, people are simply tired of degenerative diseases, obesity and depression becoming more prevalent than ever before. And that includes people of all ages, not just the elderly.

Furthermore, it is encouraging to see that 88% of older adults seek some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). This is a drastic difference to the national average of 42% for all age groups. So rest assured if you are among the older adults, you have good company with most fellow seniors taking part in more natural interventions to promote healthy aging.

Unfortunately, even though conscientious efforts are being made toward pro-active health efforts, older adults are not participating adequately in regular exercise. One in three men and two in three women engage in no regular physical activity.

Physical activity is proven to provide substantial health benefits and to maintain functional independence and improve quality of life in older adults. Two very useful physical exercise techniques are resistance training and endurance training.  Resistance training has a significant effect on muscle mass and force and can be accomplished in several ways. While most are familiar with going to the gym and lifting weights or using the resistance machines, we can accomplish some great results with some simpler methods. Rubber tubing is a great training tool that can easily be used at home for a number of muscle groups. Even simpler – don’t miss the opportunity to do some shoulder shrugs or simple curls with the grocery bags on the way out to the car! Don’t forget, one of the biggest benefits of resistance training is supporting and reinforcing bone density, a must for seniors.

The second form of training, endurance training or also known as aerobic training, is important for cardiovascular health and oxygenation of tissues. Activities that help to elevate the heart rate and respiration for up to 20 minutes at a time will have profound effects on general fitness and better endurance. Remember, simply walking is a great way to improve one’s aerobic capacity. Just be consistent and persistent!

There is a close relationship between a strong, vital mind and physiological fitness. Keeping physically fit improves emotional health, while an active and curious mind encourages activities that promote physical health. As documented in multiple research studies, one of the most effective means of treating mild to moderate mental depression is physical exercise. Mental fitness is as indispensable to well-being as physical conditioning.  Aging is associated with a reduction in physical fitness with loss of muscular force and endurance, along with slowing of mental functioning. Physical activity has been demonstrated to provide substantial health benefits and to maintain functional independence and improve quality of life in older adults.

Fitness programs offer significant benefit to older adults seeking to maintain and improve physical as well as mental health. Fitness is not a fad, but should be a goal and a general lifestyle habit undertaken by older adults as well as middle-aged and even our young. For older adults, well crafted physical and mental fitness regimens can have a significant effect to help maintain and even restore health. Studies show that exercises tailored or prescribed to individuals will promote a routine that they will maintain and enjoy better. When a person is participating in activities that they enjoy there is a better chance they will adhere to them and gain better long term benefit.

The techniques above are for general explanation and not meant to be prescribed without specific consultation with a qualified trainer or health care professional. For a professional assessment and fitness program, please contact Dr. Wilson.