My first insight into self healing was with an oriental healer, an acupuncturist, who joined me at my house for dinner.
He said that in his history many generations ago they had a medical model much like ours is today.
They dispensed chemicals and performed surgery.
They paid for cures when they were sick.
As the system became more extensive it became expensive and eventually broke the country.
The people then came to their leaders and stated they would now pay the doctors only when they were well not when they were sick.
In this way there would be no incentive for anyone to do anything but cure.
He described the new model as one with five levels based upon knowledge and respect.
The first level was the herbalist you went to him, told him your problems and he suggested herbs or foods that would correct the condition.
The second level was the chemist.
You went to him and he would give you powerful chemicals to correct your situation.
The third level was the veterinary doctor because he did all the previous things but his client could not communicate with him so he had to be better at diagnosing.
The next level was the acupuncturist because he had to understand all the previous knowledge but also comprehend the invisible nature of man.
The last level was the sage.
He was revered because while he had mastered all the previous knowledge he also understood man's relation to his Creator.
It is thought he alone could heal you one time for all time.
Today if someone discovered the perfect medicine they could not sell it because any doctor who used it would be client-less very quickly.
This, of course, is an ideal but it points out a major flaw in our approach to wellness.
We must find a way to develop a health care system that rewards well being.
Consider the following example: if insurance companies would rebate back to their customers 2.
5% per year each year (up to a maximum of 4 years or 10%) they did not have a claim how could they loose?They keep 90% and the customer, due to the high cost of health care, would have a good rebate a powerful incentive to maintain their own health.
Eventually rates would drop and people would be healthier.
Another approach would be to reimburse doctors who demonstrate a low revisit rate or reduced hospital admissions.
There are many ways for change but they must support wellness not illness if this is to change.
Reorganizing the same basic structure will not get us to a better system.