So much of the pain and disability which we see could be prevented. Prevented particularly by healthy lifestyle.
It is excellent that research gradually provides us with more understanding of the autoimmune system, and complexities of ageing and of musculoskeletal problems such as somatic dysfunction, neurodynamics, and so on.
However, so much of our time is spent in treating these problems when the patient already has pain and disability, even though we acknowledge that so many of these problems could have been avoided by healthy lifestyle.
NHMRC RECOMMENDATIONS
The NHMRC recommends that we have 5 vegetables and 2 fruits every day. (This, of course, includes legumes, peas, beans, nuts, grains and seeds). I believe that the NHMRC recommendation should be amended so as to add the vital words that we should FILL UP on fresh plant foods.
And also that these include at least 5 veggies and 2 fruits every day.
And that we avoid processed foods as much as possible.
LIFESTYLE GUIDANCE
All medical practitioners should ask their patients what they ate and what activities they did yesterday and how they enjoyed their day - and then, if necessary from their answer, we can advise them accordingly. (This would apply to new patients, and from time-to-time, with ongoing patients).
We as medical practitioners can also set an example by showing the benefits of having followed a healthy lifestyle ourselves.
REACHING THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS
We could be asking our patients whether they are aware of the extent to which their conditions have been caused by a combination of poor diet and exercise (and overweight if applicable). More importantly, from the point of view of prevention, we could be asking every patient to make the younger members of their family aware of these factors.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
The above would reinforce our lifestyle advice to patients and the public.