Dr. Andrew Weil addressed the GSWS delegates in Aspen via modern technology as he was on an overseas trip at the time of the Summit. He made two important points relating specifically to our agenda:
1) Addressing the root cause of the US healthcare system and suggesting how spas can help and
2) sharing his thoughts on the goal of happiness. Here are some of his observations – largely in his own words:
• The U.S. spends more per capita on healthcare than any other country in the world—upwards of 16% GDP—and at the same time has poorer health outcomes.
• The root cause of the problem is that what is called healthcare, is actually a disease management system. All this money is spent to manage existing disease, most of which is lifestyle related and therefore preventable.
• The reason there isn’t a better job done with prevention and health promotion is simply that they don’t pay.
• The other reason for the expense is because of the reliance on technology to solve most all problems—this includes pharmaceutical drugs— and technology is very expensive. Health professionals are not trained in low-cost, low-tech ways of managing common ailments.
• The problem is that this dysfunctional system is generating rivers of money that are flowing into very few pockets – the pharmaceutical industry, the manufacturers of medical devices and the big insurers.
• Healthcare of the future has to be based on wellness and health promotion – the spa industry can be very central in this new kind of healthcare.
• The only hope is through education, raising awareness, and a grassroots movement that changes the political balance of power. Spas could help by educating people about the importance of wellness, health promotion and prevention.
• Regarding happiness – I’m not sure happiness is the goal of life. I think we should be open to the possibility of happiness but, it seems to me, it’s much better to work towards contentment.
• Contentment is an inner feeling of things being fulfilled that are relatively independent of external circumstances. When you’re healthy, a part of health is a feeling of wellbeing – that may not be the same as happiness.
Check out the video of Dr. Weil’s presentation here, or read through the entire transcript of his exact words. Since many who are reading this either know Dr. Weil personally or have read one of his many books, let us hear from you. Let us know where you agree with him, or where you disagree with him. cvs Kytril
Well spoken points that those promoting wellness initiatives know. What’s his plan to use his position to promote change. We are past the awareness stage.
Hello GSWS,
I am a grateful and happily overworked provider who never seems to have the time to respond to the wonderful questions posed on the GSWS blog. Today I was personally excited to see the Dr Weils video here for us to watch again. I am completely in agreement with Dr Weil, having met him as he has talked many times at my alma mater. As an MD he
talks about things that for many more years the Naturopathic field that I am part of has been sharing with patients. Healthy, happy, and responsible living utilizing the basic needs of air, food, water, and sun- movement, sleep, and relationships. Realizing that the field of wellness is moving towards patient responsibility yet watching a medical system self implode with the expensive and like Dr Weil stated, unsustainable form of expensive diagnostic and pharmaceutical driven care, makes it harder and harder for the consumer to be supported in their journey of health. In all health care fields, the number one complaint is that “they didn’t listen to me” or “I’m just a number”, which is what happens in an insurance driven system that only cares about the bottom dollar. In truth the Spa community is the first to understand Healing Through Touch, Through Relaxation, Through Self-transformation. Stress will soon be the number one “disease” and it’s apparent that our current modern day expensive medical care system is not addressing the root of the problem. As a naturopathic physician, our philosophy includes “find the cause, not just treat symptoms” This is what Spa’s can and have offered for generations.
In Health-
Dr Hillary Lampers ND
WA, USA
Dear Hillary,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful and articulate response echoing Dr. Weil’s words. It is heartening to hear your perception from the naturopathic physician point of view. I do hope you will continue to be a voice in the spa industry where we have had a real sense of caring and healing however not always the experience necessary to be heard over the very loud and well funded special interests who keep the sick care industry going.
I am becoming slightly more optimistic as I see the trends heading in a direction that soon will make it a necessity for more people to embrace and champion prevention.
Very best,
Susie
When I heard that Andrew Weil was going to be kicking off our panel at GSWS I decided to go out and read his book, “Spontaneous Happiness.” I didn’t think I was going to like the book, as the title implied to me an easy “self-help” approach to happiness—as if you can “spontaneously” create happiness by just following a few simple steps. But reading his book, I found he has a much more thoughtful approach to the subject, and his use of the word “spontaneous” refers to the fleeting nature of happiness. Happiness can bubble up suddenly and just as easily disappear and sometimes it has more to do with luck or chance than with how successful we are in our lives. Rather than preaching happiness, Weil prescribes allowing for a “healthy variability” in emotional expression. I think this is an important message, especially for people who may be reading all of the other self-help books on happiness and feel like a failure because they haven’t been able to sustain an enlightened state of bliss.
Thanks Jeremy…as always a very thought-out response and truly a helpful explanation for those who haven’t read his book. I too thought that being able to summon up “spontaneous happiness” would be the goal and one that I am unlikely to attain unless someone calls and lets me know I have won the lottery.
-Susie
I totally agree with Dr. Weil! There is a huge problem with our healthcare system, but no one is doing anything substantial about it.
Sasha Connolly
Spa Director
The Maui Spa & Wellness Center
561.395.7733
sasha@themauispa.com
Bravo! I must confess that I’ve not read much written by the man, but I’m going t o start!
Relax…Have Fun…Feel Wonderful!
JoAnne Graves
Sanctuary Spa & Salon
I listened to Dr Weil’s comments and totally agree with his comments and position. This is what we have been promoting and informing our clients and the community in general about.
Ed