In this blog, I am excited to share some thoughts from an interview I had the honor of conducting with a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Chris Zaino. Dr. Zaino and I went to Chiropractic College together a few years (Ok, decades) ago :) We actually got to know one another at the gym we both chose to frequent early in the mornings prior to going to class.
Over the years, I watched Dr. Zaino build one of the most successful Chiropractic clinics in the world. He has become a thought leader in Chiropractic and Natural health. When I had the opportunity to interview him, I jumped at the chance, as I thought he would bring great value to those of you who follow our blogs, podcasts and social media content. I was right... We had a great conversation! You can watch the full video, but I wanted to break down some of the most impactful moments and share with you. Here are the the highlights I wanted to share with you
1) "The Facts Will Set you Free". I loved this thought. People say to me all the time that they feel great. However, if we run labs, they tell a different story. They may be diabetic or pre-diabetic, or have certain vitamin levels that indicate major problems are on the horizon if unresolved. I used to work with someone named Johnny at one of the lab companies I use for testing and he always said "The proof is in the plasma" and I couldn't agree more. That's why data in the form of lab testing is absolutely necessary. You don't need to take my word or anyone else's. It is there in print. You see trend you like or don't like, make changes and re-test. If you don't test, it's all about stories... "This happened", or "I felt like this". Those are all valid feelings, but they may or may not tell the real story.
2) Defining Health. One of the major issues I see in healthcare is that we do not have a proper definition of health. "Healthcare" in the US is really "Sick Care" and is only about addressing glaring symptoms. Dr. Zaino reminded me of the World Health Organization's definition of health. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." I love that definition, but I see a HUGE disconnect in practice. The allopathic, insurance-based system does not, in my opinion, practice this. Again, it's all about symptoms and management. Dr. Zaino framed symptoms as a lack of health vs. the real problem. I really loved that.
3) Health is a journey, not a destination. I have thought this before, but Dr. Zaino and I discussed conversations we have had with patients who frequently ask "How long do I need to eat like this?" or "How long do I need this supplement?". The reality is that you will need it as long as you want to see results. Most people don't think twice about visiting the dentist on a regular basis and would laugh if you asked them how long they were planning to have their cleaned before they stopped. There is not a destination. You want to keep a mindset where you are continuously moving toward better health and function.
I hope you enjoyed this blog and this interview if you chose to watch the video. I know I sure enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Zaino. If you would like to learn more about him, he is @DrZaino on Instagram.
If you have a question for myself or my team, please use this link to book a time for a short, free call (or come to the office... We love to see people in person if you are local!) We can listen and offer our suggestions on how you can get the data you need to transform your health.
To your health,
Dr. Jeni