Understanding the concepts and principles underlying the inputs and outputs of complementary health contributes to bringing this framework to life.
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.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.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 emphasis of this article series has been to describe the actionable strategies, tactics, and skills which comprise the framework of complementary health. When brought to life, the implementation of these tools allows for the best opportunity to pursue health, quality of life, and performance. Understanding the scientific basis, principles, and concepts which form the foundation of the inputs and outputs further contributes towards our ability to bring this paradigm to life.
While not absolutely essential in order to embody the strategies, tactics, and tools of the framework of complementary health an understanding at least at a superficial level allows us to be best positioned to adapt and evolve in our pursuit of health, quality of life, and performance. We can use this deeper understanding to further develop a diverse and robust toolbox of strategies, tactics, and skills which forms the foundation of the application of the various inputs. As discussed in the previous article, the output of interest is enhancing our nervous system balance. Numerous tools can be utilized in this regard. This includes a combination of psychological skills, physiological skills, and strategies related to optimizing cellular and, in particular, mitochondrial health.
In his book, Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body, Andrew Huberman PhD, describes the relevance of understanding the scientific basis of the various strategies and tactics we are utilizing. In his description, he indicates that the purpose of developing the scientific foundation and applying the related information is to enhance our understanding of what strategies and tactics work and why they are effective. Perhaps more importantly, he goes on to describe how this knowledge can then be used to develop and implement tools which are more efficient and more effective in their desired application and benefit. This strategy applies equally to understanding the various inputs and outputs within the framework of complementary health. As data emerges and knowledge further develops, we are better positioned to apply emerging information when we have a deeper understanding of the underlying processes.
This philosophical perspective is valuable in that it truly allows us to optimally pursue the output of interest, namely nervous system balance. In so doing, we are best positioned as discussed in the prior article to then pursue our goals related to health, quality of life, and performance. When we have a deeper understanding of the concepts and principles underlying the paradigm, we are better positioned and able to implement emerging information and new ideas. We are also better able to avoid applying strategies and tactics which may not be beneficial if the underlying understanding does not support their use.
This is particularly important given the current climate in which there are constantly emerging new ideas, products, and devices which are stated to be of benefit to our pursuit of health, quality of life, and performance. It is not always the case, however, that these new and emerging ideas are as beneficial in reality as they may be in concept or in their promotion. When we have a deeper understanding of the underlying biological processes contributing towards the inputs and outputs of complementary health, we are better positioned to more completely and critically appraise and evaluate ideas. This assessment then allows us to implement those which we have reason to believe will be of benefit and not include those for which there is insufficient supporting information.
This paradigm of developing a comprehensive understanding is also important in the implementation of the framework of complementary health at the individual level. A clinical assessment of an individual begins with a detailed understanding of what is important to that person, including their goals and objectives, as well as their identified obstacles and challenges. It is important to further understand what has worked in the past and also what has not. This leads to a detailed understanding of the entire context related to that individual’s pursuit of health, quality of life, and performance, which then provides a complete framework and foundation for developing a complementary health treatment paradigm. When this perspective is used in a clinical context, such as at Buoy Healthcare Group, this is the exact process which is utilized.
The above discussion is intended to inform the philosophy underlying complementary health. This applies to the understanding of the related inputs and outputs, as well as to the application of this paradigm in a clinical context. A more complete and detailed understanding of the mechanisms and processes underlying this paradigm is important so that a more complete picture can be provided. This, in turn, is utilized to provide the complementary approach to pursuing health, quality of life, and performance. Given that there are continuously emerging ideas, products, and devices which are intended to support this practice, it is important that we have a detailed understanding of the underlying processes so that we can determine whether these new concepts are of value and how best to implement them.
It is important to acknowledge that an understanding of the underlying mechanisms and processes is not essential in order to implement the paradigm of complementary health. While it is advisable to have at minimum a working knowledge of these concepts, it is ultimately the development of the skills, tools, strategies, and tactics which are essential in order to pursue health, quality of life, and performance within this paradigm. It is also important to recognize that knowledge and understanding of these strategies and tactics, as well as the underlying processes, is not sufficient in order to fully bring this paradigm to life. It is the regular implementation of these concepts which is essential in order to bring the framework to life and allow us to realize the benefits of it.
The significance of this understanding extends beyond information and knowledge itself. Perhaps more importantly, these concepts can be applied towards improving our ability to pursue nervous system balance. This can be best illustrated through illustration of practical examples.
The first consideration relates to connection amongst members of a professional sports team. It is often described how connection amongst the team is an essential element in the overall ability of the team to perform at a high level. This is said to be the result of greater teamwork, support amongst the team members, and ability to have each other’s backs. While this is no doubt true, it is also the case that this example can be understood at a more foundational biological level. When we understand the relationship between the inputs of complementary health and the output of nervous system balance, we gain a deeper recognition of why connection amongst teammates is so important. This element is a significant input which contributes to the output of nervous system balance, in particular by strengthening anchored and grounded states amongst the team members. The social engagement which is inherent within connection within the group provides direct cues to shift towards anchored and grounded states. Within high performance domains, this contributes to a greater likelihood of each member of the team shifting into the preferred biological state for performance. With this acknowledgement in mind we can understand that it is actually the output of nervous system balance which is the essential element in promoting the team or group ability to perform at its highest level. This leads to the broader understanding that we can, and in fact should, leverage all inputs towards the output of nervous system balance.
The second example relates to recognizing the importance of developing all the pertinent inputs to allow for the greatest opportunity to achieve the output of interest. This further supports the complementary health perspective. This paradigm has at its core the philosophy of utilizing available inputs to pursue the output of interest. This also serves to further explain why an emphasis on performance and sports psychology is limited because it does not include all inputs in the process of pursuing the output of interest. While the psychological skills are an important and essential input, there are others which are of equally significant benefit. If we are only to emphasize a selection of the available inputs, we will limit our ability to pursue the output of nervous system balance.
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.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.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+.
REFERENCE
Huberman, AD. Protocols: An Operating Manual for the Human Body. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2026.