An educated patient is an empowered patient. When a patient has a solid understanding of their condition as well as treatment options, they are equipped to make informed and ultimately more effective decisions. It is therefore important to find medical practitioners that share this belief and are committed to educating the people that they treat.
That’s the philosophy and approach of Pain Revealed Expert Dr. Brad Glowaki, of Seal Beach, California. Dr. Glowaki observes that our current healthcare system focuses on treating and relieving symptoms as opposed to digging into true causes of illness. How can a patient be truly informed when they are being treated as a list of symptoms?
As noted on Dr. Glowaki’s website, “This quick-fix mentality has contributed to our great nation’s current dilemma regarding healthcare. Ailments become chronic, costs continue to rise and a solution is rarely found, while the patient is never involved in the healing process and inevitably destined to repeat the process.”
When people are in pain, they understandably just want the pain to stop. It is hard to make the best decisions when pain clouds your judgment. Dr. Glowaki comments on this in the Pain Revealed series: “When you are in excruciating pain, you are more likely to make a rushed and emotional decision that you could regret later – such as surgery! Why not consider a more conservative, affordable, and natural solution?”
It is widely agreed that painkillers are a dangerous crutch. Opiates are addictive and deadly, and NSAIDS can lead to damage to kidneys and other organs. Opiate use, in fact, is at epidemic level in the United States, with over 47,000 American dying of opiate overdose in 2017.
Chiropractors like Dr. Glowaki offer a healthy and natural alternative to painkillers. Chiropractic looks to the source of the pain and guides the body to channel its resources into true healing. He states, “We’re always looking for ways to maximize the body’s design.”
Patients are educated not only on alternatives to opiates and surgery, they are educated about their condition and what their options are. This education process leads to patients taking an active role in treatment decisions and taking responsibility for their healing. Patients find this to be a very empowering process!
One method of patient education used at Glowaki’s practice is wellness workshops. These are offered at no cost to the patient. Patients are also encouraged to participate in wellness lifestyle workshops to take responsibility for their health going forward after healing takes place. Dr. Glowaki comments in Pain Revealed, “I always make ongoing recommendations beyond the pain. It’s my moral obligation to keep pain from returning, it’s up to them to decide to take my advice.”
Chiropractic care is an excellent choice for the pain patient who wants to be empowered to take responsibility for their own health. It is conservative, not drug-based, and is affordable when compared to other healthcare options. Chiropractic maximizes the body’s ability to heal itself.
If you are suffering from pain, it’s important to consider this option before making a decision about surgery. Keep in mind that pain can cloud your judgment and lead to rushed decisions that may cause regret down the line.
When it comes down to it, any health care practitioner who does not encourage and empower patients with education may not have the patient’s best interest at heart… and when you are in pain, you deserve to be listened to, understood, and to be an active participant in your recovery.
How do I find a program like this locally? I live in Northern California, outside of Auburn.
Cindy Cormier
Hi, Cindy! Thanks for your comment. You could try the American Chiropractic Association’s website, they have a tool to locate Chiropractors in your area. Here’s the website: https://www.acatoday.org/find-a-doctor
Hi, Cindy! Thanks for your comment. You could try the American Chiropractic Association’s website, they have a tool to locate Chiropractors in your area. Here’s the website: https://www.acatoday.org/find-a-doctor
I am currently seeing a chiropractor and doing the Egoscue Method–a long-term process of realigning the body, or posture therapy. Egoscue says cartilage can be renewed if given the chance. My chiropractor is recommending a knee replacement for bone-on-bone. What to do?
My disappointment in the series was that you did not address Posture Therapy AND there were so many L-O-N-G episodes with stem cells. Some patients went to Costa Rica for treatment and some here in the USA. WHY? What is the cost? Will there be an updated version of your webinar?
Janet, I hope that you’re able to avoid knee surgery! There are many different types of therapy, and we couldn’t fit everything in the series…so glad that you’ve experienced relief from posture therapy! Stem cells can be expensive, but there are less expensive options as well as options in the US. If you want to know more, you can get a free consult here (and they only refer to local clinics) http://stemhotline.com/
Im in the UK. I have EDS Type 3, severe osteoarthritis, Stenosis in the lumbar region, Cryptospondylothesis and stenosis. I’m allergic to pain meds and gave up Fentynyl patches after 10 years as it no longer worked. I take a whole raft of supplements for pain and brain. I have lost 2 inches in height in 2 years. At the moment I am getting 20 Mins a week of acupuncture, it helps some but I don’t long how long the treatment will last.
I care for a husband who has lost his sight due to PXE. I have to keep going but don’t know where else to turn to. Both children are wheelchair users due to EDS and other problems, so no help there. When we married 52 years ago nobody had even heard of EDS or PXE. I was only diagnosed with EDS in my 50’s when my eldest paid for me and got me an appointment. Until then I had thought all the symptons I had were just me. Honestly, I don’t know where to or who to turn to.
Sorry, first line should have been Scoliosis not Stenosis. The latter was not diagnosed until later.
I have seen chiropractors since I was 17 years old and now am 71. My current one realigns everything and sends me on my way. She does have a lot of knowledge that she shares but unfortunately my body doesn’t seem to stay aligned. This is frustrating. I searched the American Chiropractic Assoc. website and did not find anyone within 25 miles of where I live. Any suggestions?