Welcome

by Barry Bittman, MD

This is not just another column about wellness—nor is it an attempt to sell a "New Age" approach. It is rather a new weekly series that introduces unique perspectives about what really matters when it comes to your health. It promotes a way of life that complements the best that medical science has to offer. Mind Over Matter focuses on a "whole person" approach—one that has clearly stood the test of time. For now, let's refer to it as the "wisdom of the ancients."

From practical experience as a physician, I've learned many important lessons over the years from my patients. Some surprisingly fared far better than ever expected, while others seemed to surrender their will to live after receiving an unfavorable diagnosis.

A number of these special people truly defied the odds. They rallied against the disease, embraced every moment of life, and faced each challenge along their path with a sense of determination, vitality and inner peace. These survivors are our best teachers and guides. By observing and interacting with each of them, I learned the ultimate value of "mind over matter." What I'm about to share with you, I hope you will never forget.

When an individual facing a challenging illness settles back and simply expects the "cure" in the form of a pill or a high-tech procedure, the results are often disappointing. In fact, the anticipation of the "cure" alone, without the person's active involvement in the healing process, is no more successful in today's technological age than it was five thousand years ago.

Such a passive approach is all too commonplace in our society. This attitude unfortunately extends not only to reestablishing health, but also to maintaining it in the first place. As ridiculous as it seems, one would not consider driving cross-country without some preventive maintenance such as changing the oil or at least checking the tires. Isn't it surprising that we take better care of our cars than ourselves?

When it comes to our health, we typically run on cruise-control until that shocking day when we suddenly awaken to face our mortality. Most often it takes a heart attack, a stroke, or the diagnosis of a serious illness such as cancer to change our perspective.

I decided to write this column to motivate you to improve your perspective of health before it's too late. There's no shock value in my message—only the reality that has endured the challenges of time and contemporary medical science.

Frankly, our most recent data is nothing short of disappointing. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released a statement (October 1997) that's more alarming than most of us realize. For the first time in years, and despite the availability of a host of new drugs, the number of cases of heart disease, high blood pressure and end-stage kidney disease is again on the rise. Let's face it ... medical science alone cannot win the battle!

Frankly, it never will—not without our cooperation. The ancients knew this was so, and their writings, handed down from generation to generation, stand today as a reflection of their wisdom. Health was not taken for granted, and the concept of disease was never considered a random occurrence. The maintenance of wellness required an all-encompassing, life-long personal commitment.

The term "health" derived from the Greek word "haelen" actually means to be whole— in mind, body and spirit. It implies a sense of interconnectedness and personal responsibility. Ancient Chinese medicine, Qi-Gong (pronounced - Chee Gong) focuses on preserving and balancing every aspect of our lives. It is literally translated as "working with the energy of life." Illness is considered an imbalance—a wake-up call to change our ways.

The ancients listened to, and learned from their bodies. Yet in our society, we typically ignore what our bodies are telling us, and we buy into the quickest cover-up for our symptoms. Frankly, as medical consumers, we rarely consider the process or underlying cause of illness. If you believe this an exaggeration, just turn on your television set tonight. If you can't sleep, there's a pill. If you're too tired, there's a pill. If you've overeaten ... by now you have the gist of it.

Don't get the wrong idea. I acknowledge and I'm proud of the advances we've made in medical science over the years, and I'm certainly not what you might consider a "New Age" physician. In fact, there's nothing new or original about this approach. Yet, I am convinced that there's no better time than the present to simply call "time out!" Why not stop for a moment, and reflect on the wisdom of the ancients who sought to correct the problem before reaching for the pill.

By this point, you're probably wondering where the problem lies. That's precisely what this column is about.

These articles focus on a series of important health concerns and issues, explore their causes, and present "whole person" approaches that enable us to take an active and meaningful role in our own healing process. I'll quote the stuff our grandmothers knew all along, and show you how mainstream science has validated their insights.

By blending the old with the new, and aligning complementary approaches with traditional medicine, I intend to challenge you to open your hearts and minds to a rational, time-tested, mind-body-spirit perspective that will make a positive difference in your life and for those you love.

Mind Over Matter is an evolving column that can help you in many ways. Whether you're searching for an approach to maximize your own well-being, or are seeking direction for reestablishing the gift of a healthy life, you're bound to discover a number of valuable insights along the way. Remember, there's no better time than the present to begin your healing journey.

If there's a particular issue you'd like me to address in a future column, please feel free to drop me a line or visit our web sites for the Mind-Body Wellness Center, ECaP, Mind-Body Matters (my weekly NPR talk show) or TouchStar Productions (the links are displayed below). For questions or comments, CLICK HERE.

With hopes of health, happiness and inner peace, may you enjoy your journey toward wellness.