Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor

Editor’s Note: May 2008

By Maria DiDanieli   

Features Health Wellness

A recent cartoon in The New Yorker features a man in a hotel room,
sitting up in bed and answering the phone. The caption reads: “This is
your wake up call – change or die.”

A recent cartoon in The New Yorker features a man in a hotel room, sitting up in bed and answering the phone. The caption reads: “This is your wake up call – change or die.”

Unfortunately, this is how too many of us seem to discover the idea of wellness – the notion of living a healthy lifestyle becomes apparent only when something happens to jar us into it. When we, in our society, think of wellness, the first thing that comes to mind is a sound physical makeup. We think of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or prevention of illnesses such as cancer, etc. Because of this, embarking on a “wellness” lifestyle usually translates into changing our eating habits, adopting an exercise routine or reducing our work hours. Of course, there is nothing wrong with these – all are laudable initiatives that require courage and the will to see them through. But do physical issues, alone, comprise the quest for wellness? 

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The concepts of will and courage require consideration. In order to harness them – in the wellness journey – a person has to see reasons for proceeding with change. As well, motivators can only work if one’s spirit has the strength to believe that life, and “self”, are miracles. If this strength is diminished, caring for one’s physical body can be perceived as a low priority. When the “wake up call” falls on this deafened soul, wellness must begin with reinstating the perception of worth to one’s “self.” Through strengthening this, the reasons for change become apparent, again, and courage and will can be resurrected so that the health and wellness journey will be a sustainable success.

Chiropractors, and CHAs, are acutely aware of the need to integrate body, mind and soul into the healing process as well as the importance of all three when nurturing wellness within each individual.  As primary care practitioners, you have the opportunity to develop these concepts in yourselves, your patients and your communities. This paradigm is now, more than ever, invaluable to those patients who come to you for help.    

Our cover story , for the May issue, features a DC who has taken this notion some steps further. Dr. Sheleena Jinnah has developed a multidisciplinary medi-spa where patients can receive care within an overall experience that nurtures body and soul. Dr J.H. Maher talks to us about fish and flax oils , and ways to access pure, high-quality versions of these. Mike Magreehan returns to discuss how a chiropractor can incorporate personal values into an investment portfolio and, thus, contribute to global physical and social wellness. Brandi MacDonald nourishes the chiropractic spirit by addressing what a likeable leader is – and is not. Steve Zoltai replenishes our knowledge of chiropractic history with a fascinating look at retro-technologies and invites you to respond to further questions in our Chiropractic History Assignment .

In the book Chicken Soup to Inspire the Body & Soul: Motivation and Inspiration for Living and Loving a Healthy Lifestyle the authors write, “Physics informs us that the matter of our body is made of light, energy, spirit…,” and that “despite our difference in race, culture, religion, beliefs and values, we share the experience of the human body.” Join us in our May issue – and online at www.cndoctor.ca – where we celebrate the various dimensions that unite us in our humanity.

Bien à vous,


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