Minimalist Healthcare-The Applied Kinesiology Way
“Do less, but better.”
~Greg McKeown, Author of Essentialism
I am a big fan of minimalism. In fact one of my favorite things to listen to weekly is The Minimalist Podcast. Everyone that chooses to practice or calls themselves a minimalist has a different experience of what that means for them. The basic tenets revolve around finding more ease and joy in life, less comparison and keeping up with the Jones’, living within your means, less is more, simple is better. I had a recent thought that I’ve been exploring and that is that Applied Kinesiology, because it is a tool for individualizing healthcare, could contribute to a revolution of minimalist healthcare.
Now, I don’t want this information to be misconstrued as the dismissal of the need for surgery and medication-I am so grateful that these heroic options exist for when they are needed. Both my husband and I have benefitted from a surgeons hand and we are so grateful for it. In the natural healthcare realm there is a tendency to think that the more good stuff I do and buy and the more practitioners I see and the more self-help books I read the better my health will be. NOT TRUE! I see patients weekly that are making themselves sick with needing to add the next selfcare tool, over stressed from trying to keep up with doing all the right things they are “supposed” to do, taking 30 supplements because each one has a benefit that they think they need. JUST STOP! It is all too much.
We have within us wisdom that we don’t even know exists-call it intuition. In chiropractic it is referred to as Innate Intelligence-the self healing power of our body. In modern society we suffer an excess of giving our power away and looking for outside answers instead of looking within. Yes, I think everyone needs at least a functional medicine provider that they trust and can help guide them. Yes, I think we need annual labs, annual physicals, well woman exams, thermography and colonoscopy as we hit certain age milestones, AND we don’t need to try so hard or do so much.
The beauty of Applied Kinesiology is in that it allows for assessment of priority and most good for a patient. This technique also evaluates the physical, biochemical, and mental/spiritual needs of the individual while simplifying what you need to optimize your health. Such a graceful approach to simplify and find ease in your healthcare journey. If you are doing too much it stresses the system and causes chaos, the opposite of what we are trying to achieve by always doing more. Whereas if we do the right “just enough” change happens in a positive direction and we end up spending less money and time (our two precious resources we are always weighing) focussing on our health freeing us up for other pursuits. Easy maintenance of good health is the goal.
A practitioner utilizing traditional Applied Kinesiology takes the power of modern diagnostic tools and applies a minimalist, least invasive approach possible to help the person they are working with. Neurological muscle testing allows the practitioner to treat and make recommendations that are as simple as they can be. In my practice I so enjoy when someone comes in with a shopping bag of 30 supplements that they are taking (and they don’t feel well) and we are able to eliminate at least half (simplifies their life and saves them money).
So often the missing link for a person truly healing is something simple that is being overlooked. Maybe they are drinking tap water and need to switch to filtered water. Maybe they aren’t getting enough protein or electrolytes. Maybe their scented candles and conventional cleaning products are overwhelming their livers ability to detoxify. Maybe they are living on fast food. Maybe their hip pain is because they haven’t been stretching the right muscles. Maybe a breathing technique is needed to completely shift their nervous system from overwhelm to balance. Maybe their posture is causing their depression. Maybe it is something a little more complicated such as a specific missing nutrient or the need for emotional release. The AK practitioner will give you guidance in appropriate selfcare, tools that you have for life based on your individual situation that will assist you being healthier and more robust.
Evaluate your healthcare practices and see where there is room to make things easier on yourself. Find spaciousness in your daily routine. Slow things down and find the the grace in simplifying your life. Consider getting help from an Applied Kinesiologist. No matter your journey, take moments for joy and gratitude.