In the technology world, terms such as blue ray, DVR, gigaflops and toslink become a part of our vocabulary. These words were unheard of a few years ago. Grouped together they are a language of their own.

There are plenty of modern health-care terms in use today because chronic diseases are more prevalent such as noninsulin dependent diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The delivery of health care is much different today, also, so a new vocabulary is needed. Health-care disciplines have become so specialized that we must use accurate terminology; otherwise, we unknowingly overlook important ways to protect our health.

“Health care” has, oddly enough, become an antiquated term. It is necessary to differentiate between the two types of health care: crisis care and preventive care.

One is a reactive approach while the other is proactive. Interventions are essential when immediate life is at stake but prevention has become more important due to the high cost of health care and the modern stressors that are needlessly making us ill. Most accidents are preventable and chronic diseases are prevented with diet and exercise. Oops, more old words that we need to set aside.

“Diet” is a leftover word hated by many. Dieting describes a deprived and unpleasant food experience. Diets always fail because they make us feel rejected. When you choose the alternative of an “optimal eating plan,” there is flexibility with the knowledge that balance and moderation are crucial to success.

“Exercise” was punishment in junior high school when the gym teacher made the class warm up with a brisk mile run. Exercise is dreaded work. It is just as bad as “working out.” Exercise has been replaced by “fitness activity.” Personal fitness describes our individual preferences for leisure and recreational activities that keep us in shape.

“Functional medicine” is a new catchphrase used to describe patient centered care rather than disease care. The Institute of Functional Medicine espouses the words of Sir Henry Olser, “It is much more important to know what sort of a patient has a disease than what sort of a disease a patient has.” A patient centered approach understands that one size does not fit all and there are many external and internal factors that contribute to well-being.

There are new words to describe chiropractic, too. Usually associated with back pain and neck aches, chiropractic can be better described as “functional neurology” because it takes into consideration how the nervous system is impeding someone's ability to heal appropriately. How one is able to function is based upon multiple aspects of the environment and behaviors. The functional neurology of chiropractic recognizes an integrated partnership between musculoskeletal mobility and the biochemical responses of the immune system.

What do all these updated labels mean to us? When you change your words you can change your life. A different set of health care terms may take away the fear and trepidation often felt so someone becomes more willing to seek the balance needed to restore health.

Lisa Ann Homic, M.Ed. D.C., may be contacted at www.DrHomic.com