Proactive Healthcare: Your Key to Longevity and Wellbeing

In a world dominated by hectic schedules and constant distractions, prioritising our health often takes a backseat until we’re, well … sick. But how much better would it be if we were able to take care of ourselves before things got to that point?

The good news is, it is possible - when you put the emphasis on preventative, proactive healthcare rather than the reactive kind that many of us are used to!

What is Proactive Healthcare?

Proactive healthcare means just that: Taking proactive or pre-emptive measures to maintain good health and prevent problems before they occur.

While seeking medical attention after symptoms appear is crucial - particularly in emergencies - it often leaves us playing catch-up with our health. The key is being proactive with regular check-ups, healthy habits, and early interventions to address potential issues before they escalate.

Proactive healthcare also involves not choosing ‘quick fixes’ (like pain medication) that only temporarily mask pain and health concerns - and instead, finding the right practitioner to investigate and treat the root cause of your problem.

What are the Benefits of Proactive Healthcare?

Choosing proactive healthcare empowers us to take control of our own wellbeing. Issues are picked up and addressed earlier, so we can maintain a better quality of life!

Take chiropractic care for example. Instead of waiting for pain and discomfort to signal a problem, chiropractors work to ensure that the spine and nervous system function optimally from the outset. So, rather than having a patient with chronic back pain come to us in agony when it gets too much, the better option may be to see us every 4 to 6 weeks, so we can help manage your pain and keep it under control.

Through manual adjustments and techniques such as spinal manipulation and pelvic blocking, as well as holistic lifestyle recommendations, our chiropractor aims to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself and function at its best. In fact, research shows chiropractic care may lead to improved posture, enhanced mobility (1), and a reduced risk of developing chronic pain conditions (2).

Chiropractic care also has a focus on early detection and prevention, as a chiropractor is trained to identify impairments in your musculoskeletal system that could lead to injury or pain if left untreated. This is largely why professional sportspeople (and many others) now integrate chiropractor into their proactive healthcare regimens (3).

Other ways you can take a proactive approach to your healthcare include things like:

• Routine health check-ups and screenings with your doctor to help identify any early warning signs of disease or illness, to enable early treatment and a better prognosis
• Vaccinations and immunisations
• Incorporating other healthcare services like psychology, physiotherapy, podiatry
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Environmental health precautions, such as avoiding pollutants and using sunscreen

And of course, self-care is the best care! Taking care of you and ensuring you eat a balanced diet with proper nutrition, get good quality sleep each night, exercise regularly, and manage stress through activities like meditation and yoga, are all ways you can help give yourself the best chance of living a healthy, full life.

While it’s impossible to predict when you’re going to get sick or have an accident, a proactive approach to your healthcare is vital if you want to remain … well, vital! At Equilibrium Family Wellness, it’s our aim to provide proactive, holistic healthcare and education to our patients so they can reach their highest potential.

Make an appointment  at our Indooroopilly clinic today and let’s get you started!

References: 

1. http://align2nourish.com/pdf/Improvements%20in%20Mood,%20Posture%20and%20Balance%202015-1348_mood_posture_balance.pdf
2. https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/148038/20230331-16626-1hrxlyp.pdf
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161475402749774