The next phase is health care, which is often referred to by patients as preventative care. Health care goes beyond getting rid of symptoms or disease. It is about having enough health so that these problems don't return, and to maintain optimal physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The final and most important part of this paradigm is wellness care. I am of the opinion that life is far more than just getting rid of or preventing disease.
Life is a process of growth and development that changes from one day to the next.
The process of life, the human experience, is one of maximal growth and development in each of these areas. We need to be prepared to design and develop our lives fully. This is wellness care. Chiropractic has always addressed these issues and is the only organized profession with a philosophy capable of carrying wellness care to the world. These questions and more will be addressed in upcoming columns.