The Myth of the Cure

We live in a world of instant gratification. It has caused us to no longer talk because texting allows faster contact. There’s fast food, speed dating, and plain fast living. Our lives speed so fast that sometimes our bodies cannot keep up. We act as though we are not a part of this world, but there are times (like this pandemic) where we are reminded of how mortal we are. Humans are just as much a part of this world as any other animal. It affects us and we are not immune to conditions that can lead to illnesses in it.

The Myth

I have been working in healthcare for most of my adult life. One thing that is repeatedly asked by my patients is, “when will I be cured?” It can be a cold, earache, broken bone, allergies, hypertension, or any other illness that brought them into the clinic. It can be from someone who was just diagnosed, or someone who has been on medicine for years. This question is constant. It is present because of the blind faith in modern medicine.

Modern Medicine

Modern Medicine is wonderful. It has been one of the main factors in lengthening our lifespan in developed countries. Modern medicine allows us to not only live longer, but better in some cases. Americans see modern medicine as visiting a doctor or practitioner and placing their lives in that professional’s hands without any accountability on themselves. This includes getting vaccines, taking medicines, and being cared for at will. But it is a myth to believe that it is the cure.

Why is Modern Medicine Not the Cure?

We are healthier due to modern medicine. The lifespan has increased due to the advancements in healthcare. However, we should not confuse the improvements to our health with curing of it all. Yes, taking an antibiotic if I have a bacterial infection will cure it most times, but not every time. Our confidence in “having a cure” has caused declines in our health when we should be moving forward in our wellness.

Modern Medicine can only kill, adjust, manipulate, remove, or unbind. Our bodies respond accordingly. Medicines are available to kill infections. Modern medicine can adjust the imbalances in our bodies. We use medicine to manipulate bodily functions. Medicine is also used to remove sickness through medication or surgery and to unbind whatever is blocked. This allows us to live with the false idea that everything is curable. The focus on the importance of medicine leads to declines in our health that can be simply resolved.

The Truth

Our bodies are healed because we heal them. It is our responsibility to not only take what was prescribed, but to follow the recommendations of the providers. America has had an obesity epidemic for the past few decades. There are many people in America that are nutritionally deficient, but in calorie overload. This is only one example. Many of our conditions are present because of how we live and the added stress of the modern lifestyle.

The Real Cure

The truth is, there are times when there is no cure. If there is a cure, it is already within us. This is not to say that medicine does not work. Simply, the body must heal itself. We are blessed to live in a time where ancient traditions (acupuncture, herbal therapy, etc.) can be used in conjunction with modern medicine to help our bodies heal themselves. The real healer is you. There are options for different ways to health. Sometimes, tradition is all you need. Other times you will only need modern medicine. Then, there are times when you only get better or reach your goal when they work together.

Sickness is inevitable. The best thing we can do is stay as healthy as we can, monitor our bodies and provide healing when needed. So, get a primary care provider and see them regularly, not only when you don’t feel good. Have the check ups and screenings. Get a few complementary therapy providers and see them regularly. Work on your overall health. Take care of your mental, emotional, and physical state. Then, you are more likely to handle whatever comes your way when you know who can help when you need it most.