Vitality—everyone wants it. It's what we feel when we are at our very best. It's that happy, balanced, positive feeling that anything in the world is possible. We feel energized and enthusiastic. That feeling of abundant life, health, balance, and well-being is vitality. When vitality is high, health is also abundant. As wholistic (whole person) practitioners, we recognize there is a mind-body connection, and science is finally proving it. Norman Cousins famously brought public awareness to this potential with his groundbreaking book and movie. Anatomy of an Illness. During his healing journey, he discovered that engaging in belly laughter for a specific length of time gave him relief from his painful illness for a predictable amount of time. Another definition of vitality is "strong life force." or "vital force." Back in the late 1700s. Samuel Hahncmana MD. wrote about the life force, which was closely linked to the constitutional strength of the body and its ability to overcome illness. Vital force is the energy of life. Around the world, this vital force has been historically called chi. prana. and ki. Chiropractic philosophy refers to this energy as the body's innate intelligence (and. coincidental!}', "chi" is the first part of the word "chiropractic"). Vitalism versus Mechanism Vitalism was a philosophy that included the belief that living things arc more than just the sum of their individual parts. Living things arc imbued with a vital force, and there is an obvious difference between the living and the dead. The opposing view to vitalism was the mechanistic theory, which stated that living beings arc simply the sum of their parts. To answer the mechanistic argument. I often use the analogy of a Rolcx watch. Imagine that you hand me your functioning Rolcx. I put it into a pillow case, smash it with a hammer ten times, and then hand it back to you. It may still have all the original parts, but you won't be very happy with its functionality. As natural practitioners, we all strive for abundant energy in ourselves. We also strive to spark that desire for a greater vital force within our patients. If we can inspire our patients to desire a healthier life, that's the beginning of reawakening their vitality. It all starts with desire. Desire and Belief—Essentials for Health Consider the word "inspiration." Another definition of "inspire" is "to take in breath." What is more closely related to the vital force than the very breath of life? We can"t live for long without breathing. Without oxygen, we rapidly lose energy. I believe that inspiring our patients is as much a part of our practice as the adjustments we do. First, we must inspire and awaken within them the desire to get well. Then, we must help them believe they can attain improved health. Belief is so important. In fact, researchers found that people who had the same levels of pain, yet held different views of their relationship to that pain, experienced different levels of vitality. Their belief made all the difference. One group felt they had no control over their pain. They experienced low vitality. The other group saw their pain as a challenge. They experienced greater vitality.' Here's the interesting thing about the influence of the mind on the body. Have you ever been in a not-so-grcat mood, but then someone tells you a funny joke and your whole mood becomes brighter? And your energy improves? Or you smile at someone who's having a bad day. and because of your smile, that person brightens up? Doesn't that put a little more bounce in your step, too? That is the infectious nature of positive energy in the world. I believe that when we feel vitality, we radiate an energy of healing from the inside out. which may positively affect everyone around us. Plus, it improves our own immune system. A positive outlook gives vitality and energy to both the originator and the bystander. Energy = Vitality = Vibration Energy is a vibrational pattern. Win wouldn't our energies also affect others? A resonating tuning fork can cause another similar tuning fork across the room to begin vibrating and ringing as well. It is a new paradigm to recognize that our energy level can positively affect our own health, and the health of those around us simply by the positive vibrations we radiate. This may have seemed like a far-fetched idea back in the day of what I call "flat-earth medicine." More recently, though, scientists arc studying this exciting field of the mind-body connection as it relates to a subjective sense of vitality and health, and they arc gathering supporting data.2 Homeopathy is Energy Medicine Homeopathy is holistic energy medicine. Just as chiropractic docs, homeopathy addresses all aspects of a person—body, mind, and emotions. Homeopathy is based on the proven pharmacological law of "like cures like." This principle is seen in modem medicine by the use of allergens in allergy desensitization shots, viruses in vaccines, and using Ritalin (speed) to treat hypcractivity. However, homeopathy uses finer, more subtle energies of medicinal substances, and this refined medicine causes no unwanted negative side effects. Homeopathic medicine is created by taking a small amount of a mother tincture and creating high serial dilutions in water, along with vigorous succussions (shaking), to transfer the energy of the medicinal substance into the water. The succussions (also called potcntization) create an energetic imprint of the original substance in the water. This imprint is enough to gently stimulate the body to overcome the symptoms of the illness, but not enough to cause any negative side effects from the dnig. High dilutions create nontoxic medicine that affects the body at the vibrational level, eliminating the various symptoms at their root causes through resonance, just as tuning forks resonate together. Homeopathy produces the perfect medicine—gentle, effective, and nontoxic. Rx for Energy and Vitality A wonderful prescription would be to urge your patients to cultivate positive feelings. Perhaps they might be open to affirmations: making positive statements about themselves. Maybe they could watch funny movies—smiling and laughing releases endorphins. and. I believe, increases overall health. Perhaps they could volunteer for a cause they care about deeply. Its impossible to improve someone elsc"s day without improving your own. If patients arc inspired to count thcirblcssings rather than their problems, their vitality should increase. This is not just "mind over matter." I believe it's a matter of mind changing matter! It's an exciting time, as we thankfully leave behind the mechanistic, "flat-earth medicine." If a tinv atom can unleash the power of the A-bomb, and the tiniest vibrational imprint of medicine can heal without negative side effects, imagine the enormous energy potential within each of us. Visit our website to learn more about the energy medicine of homeopath} and download a free Physician's Reference Manual and Mind-Body Appraisal form to use personally, with your staff, or for patients. That vital energy within us all can inspire the power of goodness and healing in this world. References: Kabal-Zinn. J. (1982). An outpatient program in behavioral medicine Tor chronic pain based on the practice of mindfulncss meditation. (leneral Hospital Psychiatry. 4. 33—47. Ryan. Richard M.. Frederick. Christina. "On Energy'. Personality, and Health: Subjective Vitality as a Dynamic Reflection of Well- Bcing.". Journal of Personality 65:3. September 1997, c 1997 Duke University Press Dr. Frank King, nationally recognized researcher, leclurer and author of The Healing Revolution: Eight Essentials to Awaken Abundant Life. Naturally! is the founder and president of King Bio. an FDA-registered liomcopatliic manufacturing company. He is dedicated to completing chiropractic destiny with homeopathy. Learn how to easily incorporate contemporary homeopathy into your practice by downloading your free Physician's Reference Manual at: www.safecarcrx.com. Questions? 866-298-2740. or e-mail: procsr// safecarerx.com.
