| Recent statistics indicate that over sixty percent of | | | | one will need to return to the physician for more |
| the general public has managed their healthcare with | | | | prescriptions. Surgical procedures are at an all time |
| some form of natural therapy, for example: | | | | high for everything from cosmetic corrections to |
| acupuncture, yoga, meditation, vitamin and mineral | | | | weight loss to cesarean deliveries.However, given the |
| supplements, chiropractic, nutritional counseling, etc. | | | | enormous under-swelling of active interest by the |
| Over six billion dollars have been spent out-of-pocket | | | | American public in natural health, it is even more |
| for these services, as most are not covered by | | | | important for each of us to get personally involved in |
| medical insurance.This is wonderful news indicating the | | | | monitoring, challenging and changing the current state |
| awareness and acceptance of natural therapies as | | | | of our health care system. There is true, safe and |
| safe, effective and complimentary to allopathic | | | | very effective healing power in natural methods. Our |
| medical care. Much has been done to educate the | | | | health care freedom is challenged daily by the fear |
| public about various forms of natural techniques, | | | | and ignorance of those not familiar with the benefits |
| which support the whole person (not just the | | | | of non-drug and non-invasive healing techniques. |
| disease) to improve the natural working systems of | | | | Activity in advocating for fairer, more complete and |
| our bodies, minds, and souls. Information abounds in | | | | easier access to all forms of natural healthcare can |
| written media, tele-vision, radio and the World Wide | | | | be as easy as sharing your successful personal |
| Web regarding following a healthy lifestyle in order to | | | | experiences in using natural therapies with your |
| improve one's overall health and even heal from | | | | friends and family. It takes almost no time at all to |
| disease that was once thought of as "incurable". | | | | write a letter of support to your natural health |
| Large statistics indicate the dangers of | | | | provider or your government representatives. |
| pharmaceutical drugs - causing side effects, inviting | | | | Become as informed as possible by perusing your |
| other illnesses, and even causing deaths in some | | | | local health food store a great source for free |
| cases. Most folks are aware of the dangers of too | | | | directories, magazines and newspapers. Offer your |
| much fat, salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol in their | | | | economic support to those environmental |
| diets. Local gyms are packed with people committed | | | | organizations that share your ethics and concern for |
| to losing weight, toning, stretching and increasing | | | | the world in which we live.Getting involved in any |
| strength and stamina with proper exercise. There | | | | small way is fun, empowering, and educational and |
| seems to be quite a shift towards spiritual growth | | | | does make such a difference! As an advocate for |
| and renewal, as individuals and families have become | | | | the disabled in the eighties this writer learned that |
| too busy, experience increased stress, and feel a | | | | many people do not bother to make the phone call |
| sense of broken-ness in both our local and global | | | | or write the note to their local representatives |
| environment.However, it is very clear that illness is big | | | | because they think it does not matter. However, |
| business. Physicians, diagnosticians, specialists, | | | | research indicated that it takes only four registered |
| hospitals, pharmacies, drug manufacturers, and even | | | | special delivery letters to get the attention of |
| the federal, state and local governments all have | | | | government officials. Just four letters on an |
| huge economic interests in our nation's healthcare | | | | important and current issue gets noticed and helps |
| policies. It still surprises some to note that our | | | | our representatives to take notice of their |
| healthcare systems are really sick-care systems, set | | | | constituents' needs and desires, and indicates what |
| up originally, to diagnose and manage the symptoms | | | | direction they should be taking!Remember - once you |
| of ill health. An individual is given a diagnosis and | | | | become aware of an important issue and do not |
| usually one or more prescriptions to alleviate the | | | | take any action, you become part of the problem, |
| symptoms, but not the cause. These prescriptions | | | | not part of the solution.Mary Ann Dittmeier is a Bach |
| may work, but he/she will need to return to the | | | | Foundation Registered Practitioner and President and |
| physician for a refill. The drugs may not work, he/she | | | | Founder of FIND YOUR BALANCE, INC. Mary Ann is |
| may need to return to change the dosage or type | | | | available for individual consultation, workshops and |
| of prescription. The prescription may cause side | | | | lectures on Bach Flower Remedies and Bach Flower |
| effects or interact with our other medications, and | | | | Essences by appointment. Call 631-475-8308. |