...from Center for Nutrition & Wellness™

Dear Kim, Enjoy Your July 4th Holiday, But Don't Forget What Independence Required     As we all celebrate the 4th of July, our Independence Day, let's not forget what Independence requires of those seeking it. What exactly is required? Well, many things--from strength and courage to leadership and skill. If you distill all of these attributes down to just a few essential themes, willingness to make sacrifices and diligence are most fundamental.   Diligence isn't something most would think about as a requirement for Independence, however I would ask you to contemplate the words of Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men [and women] to do nothing." Now, why would good men and women do nothing? Perhaps they have not been diligent in observing what is occurring around them. These occurrences are usually not accidental; In fact, they are usually well thought out and orchestrated by individuals or groups who serve to gain something (usually either money or control) through their actions. An example of this occurred when heavy taxes were levied against the colonists by England-one of the sparks that ignited our American Revolution.    Let's look at an example of this theory in our Health and Wellness world: when a multinational company tries to genetically modify our foods without concern for the long term impact on our Health, so that they can profit from the fact that, once this occurs, anyone wishing to grow that "product" will have to purchase the seeds form that company. So, the farmer growing this "food product"--which may be genetically modified to contain herbicides or pesticides which have been genetically embedded in the seeds--has no choice in the future but to purchase his seeds from this company. This happens because these seeds can no longer "self propagate." In other words, that farmer can no longer hold back a parentage of his crop to use as "seed stock" for next year's planting season. He, in essence, has lost his freedom of choice; his Independence.   Another example, which occurred in my office just yesterday, concerns a patient referred to me for an evaluation and treatment by his company's nurse. This man had suffered with extreme lower back pain and leg pain which extended down both of his legs. He had been experiencing these life altering symptoms for--are you ready for this?--one and a half years! Oh, he had been afforded treatment. He had undergone the routine course of "drug therapies" and extensive physical therapy. However, he had never been afforded the opportunity to undergo a chiropractic examination and treatment. To make this long story short, I examined this pleasant gentleman, explained to him my findings after evaluating his x-rays (which had not been performed prior to his entering my office) and his MRI's, and rendered his first adjustment to his spine in his life. As he was lying on my adjusting table following his adjustment, I performed some gentle traction to his lower back. As I did this he sighed in relief and commented on how good it felt. I then asked him to come up off of the table. As he did this a wonderful smile came to his face, and he began to walk around the room. Not with the "stiff legged" gait that he came in with, but with a smooth fluid gait that he had remembered from a year and a half ago.  My point is this: the company nurse was being diligent, and perhaps making a sacrifice by sending this poor man as a "last resort" off to the chiropractor.   The point that I would ask all of our members to remember as we celebrate our Independence Day is that if we are to prevail, and see that our "Health and Wellness Paradigm" win over the disease and sickness paradigm of our current medical system, we must all be willing to make sacrifices. This might mean that we have to stick our necks out to tell a friend or a relative that, perhaps if they change their lifestyle, they might not need to take that statin drug. Or, if they eat some green vegetables, they might get sufficient calcium to assist them in avoiding osteoporosis. Perhaps we all need to be more diligent to make certain that we are not consuming genetically modified "food product," or that we continue to write letters to our representatives in Washington about some of the issues that you read about here or elsewhere--which are being propagated by special interest groups that might not have the best interest of the public in mind. We must also be willing to make sacrifices. We might need to be willing to give up some time in front of the TV to read about something that you have just picked up at the health food store, which may help you or a loved one avoid a condition or drug that has been suggested. Trust me, I make a lot of sacrifices to bring you the information that I do. Often times, that might mean I get up an hour earlier so that I can write an article about some research I have just read, which may help one of our members or their family move up one rung on our "Health and Wellness Ladder." Now, don't for a moment think that I am complaining about my role as director of our newsletter, or my work in either one of my practices. Remember what I have said to you numerous times in the past: "this is my joyful obligation," it is my purpose, and I thank you all for allowing me to fulfill that purpose.   So, I hope that you will all enjoy your Independence Day, and remember to watch the candy, cakes, cookies, ice cream, breads and potatoes. I want you also to remember, though, that it is a Holiday! If you do cheat, don't beat yourself up--and get back on track tomorrow.   Yours in Health,   Dr. Pfeiffer