Discussion of specific clinical scenarios highlights the benefits of a complementary healthcare perspective for promoting health, quality of life, and performance.
For more information about integrating the framework of complementary healthcare into clinical practice to manage metabolic syndrome, reduce chronic inflammation and chronic stress, and improve health, visit www.buoyhealthcare.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
The previous article described the framework of complementary healthcare and the paradigm for bringing it to life. When we are able to implement this perspective, we are able to more fully promote health, quality of life, and performance. This can be further illustrated through description of the framework for applying this perspective in the discussion of specific scenarios.
At the outside of this article, it is helpful to further describe the process through which a complementary healthcare perspective is implemented. While the specifics of the information which contribute to applying the framework may differ in an individual specific manner, the overall process is similar. Ultimately this method is designed to understand the inputs specific to an individual and their ability to further train, develop, and implement various tools and skills.
At the initial evaluation, through conversation with each individual, it is important to determine their specific goals and objectives. Relating these to the common output of improving nervous system balance is a foundational element. It is also important to understand what tools, strategies, and tactics they have used in the past and which they have not. Furthermore, it is important to understand what has been helpful and what has not been useful to this point in time. With this information, it becomes possible to then develop an individual specific plan to train and develop the necessary tools and skills to implement specific inputs which are available to that individual and which will be beneficial in working towards the desired output. The next step after the initial implementation of the chosen inputs is to assess the impact and outcome. With this additional information in hand, adjustments can be made and additional inputs can then be considered for future implementation.
As noted above, irrespective of the specifics of a given individual’s current status and their desired objectives and goals, the process remains the same. It is important to recognize that the various inputs and their status is individual specific. Furthermore, each person has their own unique capacity and ability to implement the various tools and skills at the present time, as well as to learn to further develop and implement future skills and tools.
An important consideration within the implementation of the complementary healthcare perspective is education. It is important to spend time helping each individual to understand the overall framework, as well as the various inputs and their application. In addition, education regarding the nature of the various tools and skills and how best to train, develop, and implement them is essential. It is vital to recognize that not all individuals are at a point where they are able to apply or train each input. It is important to understand each person‘s current situation, including their ability to further develop and implement additional tools and skills. Selecting the appropriate inputs specific to that individual’s circumstance is essential in order to optimize the potential for reaching the desired output. It is recognized that over time additional inputs will become necessary and can be implemented in the future.
In order to further illustrate the benefits of the complementary healthcare perspective, it is useful to consider various common scenarios. While there are limitless individual situations which would benefit from a complementary healthcare perspective, the following specific scenarios are selected as they emphasize particular issues which are best addressed through a complementary healthcare perspective. This serves to further illustrate the benefits of this paradigm.
The first scenario for consideration is the optimization of health in someone between 30 and 60 years of age. Consider that this individual has no identified medical conditions and is currently employed in a domain of their choosing and passion. This individual is seeking to maintain and further promote their health and quality of life, as well as improve their ability to durably and sustainably perform at their highest level in their chosen roles and domains in life. By using a complementary healthcare perspective, it is possible to best position this individual to accomplish their specific goals. By combining the psychological and body-based skills and tools through the strategies and tactics within the perspective of complementary healthcare, this individual will be best positioned to pursue their goals and objectives. Dependent upon their specific age, they are entering into or possibly already experiencing common physiological transitions in life. During this time, the management and reduction of chronic inflammation and chronic stress is of significant importance in order to improve mitochondrial function and thereby metabolic function. This will best position the individual to pursue health and quality of life. As discussed in past articles, this is also essential in order to provide the optimal platform for performance. By waiting until various symptoms or conditions manifest and can be diagnosed, there will already be a loss of overall health and quality of life, as well as ability to perform at the highest level. The complementary healthcare perspective is proactive in promoting health, quality of life, and performance such that diagnosable conditions and symptoms are prevented or delayed to the greatest extent possible. This is further realized through application of a wide range of inputs to increase the opportunity to reach these goals.
The next scenario for consideration is an individual recovering from a major injury or surgical procedure. In this specific instance, the appropriate acute medical care is assumed to have been provided such that the individual is at the point where they are able to recover from the situation. This individual would be seeking to return to their prior state of health so that they can return to their regular activities including, if appropriate, performance at their highest level. In order to accomplish these specific goals, it is essential to assist in the ability to recover and regain their prior health status and, if appropriate, improve upon it.
When recovering from significant illness, injury, or surgical procedure, it is important to recognize that these situations will be associated with shifts in biological state towards protective and defensive states. As described in past articles, these states are not ideal for healing and recovery. It is preferred to promote anchored and grounded states for this purpose. By helping this individual to improve their overall nervous system balance, it is therefore possible to better support the healing and recovery process through shifting towards the preferred biological states for not only recovering from injury or surgical procedure, but also returning to health, quality of life, and ability to perform.
Another common scenario which benefits from a complementary healthcare perspective is that of a high performing individual in a high demand domain with established metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is defined by the presence of three of the following five conditions: abdominal obesity, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood sugar. Taken together, the syndrome increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type two diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions. It is also important to understand that prior to establishment of a diagnosable metabolic syndrome, there is a pre-existing condition of metabolic derangement which in essence is a precursor to metabolic syndrome.
At the core, as discussed in past articles, metabolic derangement and metabolic syndrome result from chronic inflammation and chronic stress. These conditions lead to loss of optimal mitochondrial function and negatively impact metabolic function. For those engaged in high demand domains, it is often the case that the very nature of their craft is associated with inherent higher demands and increased susceptibility to chronic stress. The complementary healthcare perspective with its emphasis on optimizing nervous system balance is a highly beneficial approach for a high performing individual with this metabolic situation. By increasing nervous system balance, there will be a resulting decrease in chronic stress and chronic inflammation and an associated improvement in mitochondrial function. This directly addresses the metabolic derangement which leads to metabolic syndrome. In addition by improving nervous system balance, not only will this individual be able to address metabolic issues, but will also be able to further support their ability to perform at their highest level. It is important to note that, in particular for patients with established metabolic syndrome, adjuvant treatment, typically through medications, may also be necessary. While medical treatment may be necessary in these situations, in order to fully optimize health, quality of life, and performance the complementary healthcare perspective is essential.
The next scenario for consideration is an individual recovering following cancer treatment. As alluded to above, when recovering from illness, injury, and surgical procedures, the complementary healthcare perspective can be particularly beneficial in regaining health, quality of life, and ability to perform at a high level. This is even more so the case following cancer treatment. Given the nature of a cancer diagnosis as well as the intensive treatments, which may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, there is a significant likelihood of profound shifts into protective and defensive states. This is often further exacerbated by concern and anxiety for long term function and survival. While completely understandable, this is not conducive or supportive of healing and recovery. By implementing a complementary healthcare perspective with an emphasis on improving nervous system balance, it becomes possible to shift biological states towards anchored and grounded states to better support healing and recovery following these intensive treatments. This will lead to benefits not only in physical health and recovery, but also psychological, emotional, and spiritual considerations.
The final clinical scenario for consideration in this article is that of a perimenopausal woman. This is a normal physiological transitional state that is experienced by all women. As part of the natural transition into menopause, there are significant fluctuations and eventual declines in estrogen and progesterone levels. There are numerous symptoms and signs which are reflective of these changes. The specific nature of these is beyond the scope of the present article, however it is important to emphasize that they impact across physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects within biology. When appropriate, the main stay of treatment for these individuals can involve the use of adjuvants, specifically menopause hormone therapy. The goal of this adjuvant treatment is to restore hormone levels to the greatest degree possible. It is important to recognize, however, that while the symptoms which result from the fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone are primarily related to the changes in these hormone levels, they are also significantly impacted by our biological response to these changes. In particular, this is mediated through changes in autonomic nervous system responses. For example, estrogen is known to support parasympathetic nervous system function, thereby supporting anchored and grounded states. With fluctuations in levels of estrogen, it is therefore the case that there will be less strength of the anchored and grounded states and decreased nervous system flexibility. By implementing a complementary healthcare perspective, use of adjuvants is further supported by implementing tools and skills across various inputs in order to improve the output of nervous system balance. This will act in a synergistic way with menopause hormone therapy to reduce the frequency and severity of associated symptoms. The overall impact of this complementary perspective is far greater than a reliance on hormone therapy alone.
While there are countless other common scenarios as well as less frequent situations which benefit from the complementary healthcare perspective beyond those described above, this discussion is intended to bring to life the importance and application of this perspective. A far greater degree of benefit can be obtained with this paradigm than by focusing on traditional therapies and treatments alone. The complementary healthcare perspective provides a framework through which we can truly promote health, quality of life, and the ability to perform at our highest level. This is not only a proactive paradigm, but can also be used in response to established illness, injury, and following intensive and invasive treatments.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
For more information about integrating the framework of complementary healthcare into clinical practice to manage metabolic syndrome, reduce chronic inflammation and chronic stress, and improve health, visit www.buoyhealthcare.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.