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