Salutogenesis vs. Pathogenesis: What They Are & Why They Matter for Your Health

Picture this: Two brothers share a room, play outside together, and spend most of their time with one another. One of them gets sick one day, but the other doesn’t. Doctors and other professionals in the medical field may be puzzled by this scenario. Often times, they ask the question, “What is wrong with the sick brother that caused him to get sick?” But Cape Coral chiropractors and other medical professionals are beginning to look at things in a different light. Instead of asking what the problem is with the sick one, experts are beginning to wonder what is different about the healthy person. What do they have that the sick ones don’t? This is the basic premise in Salutogenesis vs. Pathogenesis.

What Is the Difference?

The root word “path” is used to indicate feelings. When we are discussing pathogenesis, we are talking about how we feel in relation to sickness. In medicine, those who don’t feel well turn to a doctor who looks at our sickness and then prescribes something to combat the illness, such as medicine. However, this is not an effective method of healthcare because we know that feelings can be very unreliable. Additionally, chronic conditions are on the rise, especially ones related to stress, and these health problems are much harder to treat with medications or health procedures. In contrast to this, preventative measures have been studied more and more in an effort to keep chronic conditions or other health issues from arising in the first place. This proactive approach to health is called salutogenesis. Salutogenesis focuses on holistic health measures to promote both mental and physical wellness in the hopes of preventing illness altogether and bringing about an overall healthier lifestyle.

Chiropractic Is a Salutogenesis Approach to Health

At its core, chiropractic is designed to promote overall health and wellness. Cape Coral chiropractor Dr. Omar Clark seeks to remove nerve interference by removing subluxations (misalignments) of the spine in order to improve how the body functions. If the body is functioning at optimal levels of health, it is better able to combat sickness before it begins and eradicate it more quickly when it does get sick. Chiropractic promotes health as a preemptive measure. A gentle adjustment from a chiropractor will remove spinal misalignments that often lead to short-term problems and chronic conditions such as diabetes, metabolic disorders, or cardiovascular illness. Rely on Dr. Omar Clark of Experience Health & Wellness Center to take a proactive stance on healthcare.

Case Studies Supporting Salutogenesis for Optimal Health

Multiple case studies have shown the effectiveness of a salutogenic approach to optimal health and wellness. In a 2014 study, it was found that metabolic stresses were drastically improved when the overall person was addressed. When a person has social support, good lifestyle habits, and a positive awareness of health, they were able to stay healthier than others without these things in place. Chiropractic care strives to treat the whole person, ensuring that the central nervous system is functioning properly to promote mental, emotional, and physical wellness. It is important that we begin to recognize health as it pertains to the whole person and not just by attempting to only address illnesses or symptoms. For more information about chiropractic care and a Salutogenesis approach to health, contact Dr. Omar Clark of Experience Health & Wellness Center in Cape Coral, FL.

Sources

Heim, E. “Salutogenesis versus pathogenesis–a new approach to an old wisdom.” Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1994 Jul 23;124(29):1267-75.

Zielinski, E. “Salutogenesis: The Authentic Wellness Model for Health”. 2015 June. https://icpa4kids.org/Wellness-Articles/salutogenesis-the-authentic-wellness-model-for-health.html