A New Paradigm for Chronic Disease

Chronic disease is an entirely different entity than acute illness or disability. The key differentiating point is that chronic disease becomes "entangled" in a tornado of "host factors" complicating the body manifestation of the problem. It is these host factors that make it (1) more difficult to eradicate with the miracles of modern technology and pharmacology and (2) require an entirely different theoretical framework (paradigm) to approach and cure. It is possible to cure or significantly improve chronic disease but the approach is entirely different.

While acute illness (ie infection) can be eradicated with implementation of a correct antibiotic or a diseased appendix can be cured with surgical removal, chronic conditions (those present for over 3-6 months) require a much broader, more holistic, deeper investigation and approach. The reason for this requirement is that when a problem becomes entrenched in a body, it becomes enmeshed with the host in a variety of ways that is often unique to the host's individual's styles and patterns for living but is also a universal reaction to distress and system upset.

The host factors which complicate the quandry of chronic disease include: lifestyle routine (habits), emotions and feelings, core beliefs (which may not be consciously known to the individual), perceived and true support system, knowledge of one's condition, access to care (medical, psychological and spiritual), self-esteem and self-efficacy, internal sense of spirituality and connection to the world and one's support system, and the capacity to be open and vulnerable.

This is a daunting list and exactly the reason that modern medicine is struggling both financially and in regard to successfully managing this enormous and pervasive entity. Modern medicine is still aggressively trying to care for chronic disease with the acute disease paradigm. Modern medicine is successful at managing acute illness; it is however, overmatched and overwhelmed with the task of managing, conceivably curing or at least controlling the world of chronic disease and disability. It is for this reason that a new paradigm is absolutely required and must be developed soon before our world is overrun with its magnitude and scope.

The first step in tackling this giant "elephant in the room" is to acknowledge that we have to have a new approach. We must accept that our current framework (applying the principles and miracles of acute care medicine to chronic disease) does not work and must be changed.

The second step is to recognize that healing chronic illness involves healing ourselves and not necessarily being healed by a "quick" solution such as a medicine or procedure. Thus, a deep look into who we are, how we feel about ourselves, how we express ourselves, how we live, what we believe, who we count on and confide in, and how we relate to our world ALL matter.

Next, realizing that all these critical "host" factors can be changed, updated and made more healthful and health-promoting is at the core of healing. We cannot continue to live the same life if we want different results.

Of course, the mechanism to allow each of us as individuals and all of us as a society and world to accomplish such seemingly enormous change must be developed, implemented and disseminated. While the task seems daunting, it really is not. The path to change comes out of human relationship. We cannot change unless we open ourselves to new perspectives and new perspectives evolve out of connection with our fellow humans.

Now, trying to change concretized ways of being does not happen in the current model of modern medicine -- brief, focused interactions with healthcare providers who are over-taxed and struggling to manage their own overwhelming "plates". Change evolves out of a nurturing, safe space where one feels comfortable to reveal who they really are and what prevents them from being who they want to be. First and foremost, this requires time. Second, it requires a sense of peace and and calm and acceptance. Third, it requires wisdom; a wisdom that does not necessarily come from a brilliant authority figure but a wisdom that comes from a group of human-beings who are working on a common goal (healing heart disease or managing aging or curing chronic pain).

Thus, the new paradigm for healing chronic illness is a group setting with individuals with a common condition or situation led by an open individual or ideally by two (or more) individuals with complementary strengths and skills.

Models for this approach have been in existence for eons. AA has been a gateway to help millions of people locked in the grip of alcololism. The Dean Ornish program for Reversing Heart Disease demonstrated to the world that heart disease (the number one killer of Americans) can be reversed and transcended with a comprehensive, holistic, loving, connecting approach which involves yoga, healthy eating, daily exercise and a group process. These are only 2 examples of successful (although not perfect) programs that can lead people back to health. They both provide a group process, a spiritual path and a communal movement and commitment toward healing.

This philosophy and style is ready to be available to all the world that wants and needs to heal. Let's start the conversation(s) -- we are ready.