Lifting Humanity, by Josh Zimmer, L.Ac., DOM

Natural healing, in its many forms, should be more appreciated as a major vehicle for human progress, because the medical system that dominates society is often taking us further away from ourselves while keeping us alive.

Progress so often is associated with science and the cool-headed analysis of information. The quid pro quo is the pharmaceutical industry and over-specialization, along with a promise machine that tells people there’s a pill and a scalpel for everything.

Of course, the reality doesn’t come close to meeting the marquee and drugs, when they’re working or not working, come with a boatload of unwanted side effects. Unfortunately, the combination of insurance, medical school education, big pharma and governmental policy makes it extremely hard to avoid this monster of a system.

In our obsessive drive for greater health, not enough is said about the deeply restorative nature of natural wellness and the healing arts, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic and ayurveda, not to mention meditation, homeopathy, essential oils and reiki. They are increasingly discussed but not in the most beneficial way. At best, natural modalities are mentioned like lesser partners, which misses the point about their effectiveness and, not to be ignored, the ability to empower patients.

This is said with humility. None of the above, including my own practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine, are guaranteed to solve every medical problem. But by tapping into the self-healing powers in all of us, a mind-body-spirit connection that’s too often ignored in Western Medicine, they can bring us closer to our true selves pills and surgery alone.

If getting in touch with our true nature – respectfully, successfully and with love – is a sign of greater humanity, then natural healing deserves a larger embrace.

It’s obligatory to state that modern mainstream medicine often helps keep us alive. But too often the result is an artifice of good health when the patient’s status really is pretty mediocre. We’re treated like machines where parts can be removed and replaced or issues treated without appreciating the mind-body-spirit nexus that guides the big picture of health.

Discussing how different forms of medicine treat disease isn’t necessarily the main issue here.

As prevalent as those two conditions are, the real issue people are dealing with is their state of sub-optimal health.

What’s overwhelmingly common these days are conditions based around chronic inflammation with roots in diet, lack of exercise, overwork and separation from nature, combined with a plethora of mental-emotional stressors such as anger and anxiety.

It’s like a fog over one’s essential being. Most people try to make the best of it. But even so-called high performers are subject to the disconnect that leaves them wondering why they don’t feel better.

The common denominators I see are:

• low energy
• pain
• anxiety
• Insomnia
• Digestive issues
• Drops in mental clarity

How can we elevate ourselves to higher levels when we’re encumbered by both discomfort and the blahs?

Treating these issues solely with mainstream medicine rarely works. Some operations for pain help, I’ve come to admit, although a lot still seem unnecessary. Drugs can be helpful, as well, but they’re often overused and come with a long list of negative side effects.

One of them is mental fog.

People lose a sense of control when they’re over reliant on drugs, surgery and the bureaucracy of mainstream medicine. On the other hand, the effective use of natural modalities puts more power in people’s hands, generating the potential to overcome what ails them inside. They can find faith in their bodies, minds and spirits that they’d forgotten about or never really known. In this way, natural medicine becomes a vehicle of self-exploration that not only heals physically but also expands our understanding of the world.

Results are what counts at the end of the day. But if a rising humanity depends on raising our consciousness one person at a time, then natural medicine should never be very far away from our hearts and minds.

Josh Zimmer is a Nationally Certified, State Licensed Acupuncture Physician.  He is a 2008 graduate of the East West College of Natural Medicine in Sarasota, FL.  Josh is the acupuncturist at Four Pillars, providing natural healing for pain relief and digestive issues. He also treats symptoms of cancer, stroke and neuropathy. Four Pillars is located at 8209 Natures Way, Suite 221, Lakewood Ranch. For more information, call 941-373-3955, email Info@FourPillasFlorida.com or visit FourPillarsFlorida.com