Where’s the Owner’s Manual?

You get one with your car; you even get one for your toaster, but you don’t get one for your body.   Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about an owner’s manual.  I think Drs. Roizen and Oz are trying to turn that around, but it’s something we all needed prior to becoming adults and now the New York Times Bestseller List gets all the glory.

Why an owner’s manual?  Reports in the past couple of week claim that up to 40% of cancer is preventable.  In addition, those who are tested or have predispositions for diseases like hypertension and diabetes can be taught earlier and more effectively how to cut their risks avoiding unnecessary complications.  If we were starting our lives off with the information on proper handling and maintenance of our vehicles, our bodies, then we wouldn’t be going in to the shop (the doctor/hospital) for major repairs.

When facing a chronic or life-threatening illness extra special care is required to train your body to accept health and healing.  Cells have memory and in particular they have memory of wellness.  If you had a manual that gave you the roadmap to wellness memory how fast would you get there?  Well there have been numerous studies, books, and programs created for Integrative Medicine.  Integrative medicine incorporates information, techniques, and treatments to unite body, mind, and spirit.  If you ever listen to the ads for “Cancer Centers of America”, you’ll see they take a holistic approach.  Hope is at the core of their message and that’s powerful.

What if you could begin writing your owner’s manual the day you got diagnosed?  What would be in the manual?  How often would you have regular maintenance (checkups)?  What types of fuel would you put in your vehicle?  What happens to your level of wellness if you fuel your vehicle with an overabundance of processed and fast food?

You know more about your body then you’re letting on and now it’s time to act on that knowledge.  Don’t give in to the temptation to merely keep running.  Don’t be a clunker; you have too much life to live!