Yonemoto Physical Therapy

A doctor I met recently advocated alternative and complimentary methods of healing. He mentioned a study done in Switzerland correlating the incidence of cancer and childhood illnesses, indicating people who had more childhood illnesses such as chickenpox and measles had less incidence of cancer as adults.  The researchers thought early exposure to these illnesses boosted overall immunity, reducing risk for cancer later in life.  

Other studies show children raised in households with lots of antibacterial soaps and cleansers tended to have more illnesses than children living in less tidy environments. Perhaps a certain amount of exposure to germs makes for stronger immune systems. My mother encouraged me to play with kids who were sick with chickenpox and measles because she heard these illnesses were much worse for an adult and relatively mild for children.  No one made a big deal about playing with kids who had colds. I remember celebrating a birthday when I had German measles, with all the neighborhood kids coming over for cake and ice cream.

I have several patients with immune deficient conditions who say they took a lot of antibiotics when they were children. Perhaps this is why the doctor I mentioned doesn’t prescribe antibiotics to children he treats. An article in one professional journal predicted an oncoming health disaster in the shape of the lowly bacteria which keeps getting more resistant to all the antibiotics created to wipe it out. Only the strongest bacteria survive and they become immune to the antibiotics. Eventually even the strongest antibiotics don’t work because bacteria keep getting more resistant.

The doctor related how most of his medical treatment consists of advising his patients on how to keep healthy by eating well, taking the right nutrients, exercising, getting proper rest, and making good lifestyle choices. He gives parenting advice and teaches patients how to keep their lives in balance. He was talking about prevention.

This pattern of challenging the body with illness and getting a stronger immune system is similar to challenging the muscular system with weight training or challenging the cardiovascular system with aerobic exercise. Giving the body or mind a challenge tends to make it stronger, especially when young. The brain also responds to a challenge: learning to write in complex sentences in one’s youth tends to reduce the risk for Alzheimer's; children who play a musical instrument tend to have larger corpus collosums, the part of the brain connecting the right and left halves. Stronger bodies help with better eye focusing and easier reading and learning. Art, music, movement and intellectual stimulation help make a person healthier.

Prevention is key but it’s never too late to get started. One of my students lowered her cholesterol to normal range by eating better. She started this program a year ago when she stopped taking anti-cholesterol drugs. She quit eating eggs and bacon every day and started doing regular aerobic exercise and qigong, thus improving blood flow to all parts of her body. 

There are many options for healthier living. Make the most of it.  What would you do with your life if you didn’t have to spend time and energy taking care of your health?

Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.,
Yonemoto Physical Therapy
55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100
Alhambra, CA 91801
PHONE:  626 576 0591
FAX: 626 576 5890

Links:
http://www.yonemoto.com/ - Yonemoto Physical Therapy home page
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/IMT.htm - Integrative Manual Therapy, a Hands-On Approach
http://www.yonemoto.com/programs/qigong.htm - Qigong to boost the immune system

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