Food for Thought
I'm going to ramble for a moment. I'd be interested to hear if any of you have noticed this trend too.
We seem to be living in an increasingly 'hack-y' culture. We're always on the lookout for the next greatest 'hack' or shortcut. In many ways, a hack can be a great thing. A better way to cook a quick dinner or fit all your clothes into a compact carry-on? Who wouldn't want that?
But this mentality has seeped into the health and wellness space, and it's snowballing. Perhaps out of control.
I'm not sure who's to blame (podcasts, marketers, Buzzfeed...), but there's an increasing expectation that there must be a pill, a supplement, or an injection that will cure any ailment.
When we learn that we're vitamin D deficient, why do we immediately order a supplement? Why don't we just eat more vitamin-D-rich foods and budget some time for sunlight? The same could be said for protein, calcium, vitamin B12...the list is endless.
And don't get me wrong. I do this too! I take protein, vitamin D, and magnesium supplements every day. Heck, I even partner with a protein supplement company because I believe in the benefits!
What worries me is the increasing frustration I see in my patients.
I notice it throughout my practice, but it's most visible in patients with bad sprain injuries. These injuries aren't broken bones and aren't unstable enough to need surgery. But they hurt a lot, and they typically limit activity levels for months on end. And it drives most people nuts.
These injuries heal on their own, but there is no quick fix for them. These visits always go the same way. I explain the typical healing process of rest, bracing, and therapy. And then I get peppered with questions about what pills, supplements, or injections exist that will get them back to rock climbing next week.
It almost feels assumed that I'm secretly hiding the real treatment from them.
This phenomenon is starting to fascinate me more and more. These visits are painful for the patient β and for me. Nobody's happy. Nobody wants to hear this. Heck, you may not even like reading this!
But it's the biology of the injury. And we can't hack that.
I'm also searching for the cultural counter-current. Beneath any trend, there's the rebound reaction. My favorite recent example is the proliferation of old-school Nokia 'dumb phones' as people grow tired of smartphones taking over their lives.
Can we bring a level of stoicism and simplicity to our physical health?
I don't have the answers yet. But I'm on the lookout.
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