Changing Healthcare for the Better by Olivia

Changing Healthcare for the Better by Olivia - June 2020 Scholarship Essay

Growing up I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in which I could help others.
Combining that with my fascination for the human body and my passion towards health,
everyone told me that I should become a medical doctor. However, that never felt like the answer to me. There had to be more than surgery and prescription drugs. Luckily, when I discovered chiropractic, I learned that there was. After two years of suffering from back pain my friend recommended that I went to see her chiropractor. I agreed and, little did I know, that was the day I would discover my true passion and future career path. As a chiropractor, I aspire to change the healthcare field for the better.

Back pain can affect people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly and yet it has become normalized in our society. However, back pain is not just “a part of life.” It should not be something that we just have to deal with. Pain is the body’s warning sign that something is wrong and these warning signs should be taken seriously. As a chiropractor I want to help people realize the significance of their pain and help them treat the root cause of their problem. Spinal manipulation can restore the spine’s proper alignment, relieve built up pressure on the vertebrae and alleviate pain. I will change the healthcare field by offering this effective alternative for pain relief. As a chiropractor I will enable my patients to live pain free lives, not by masking their symptoms with medication, but by treating the root cause of their problems.

Chiropractic adjustments are a great tool for pain management but are also important for maintaining overall health. The spinal cord is essential for communication between the brain and the body. If the spinal cord is injured, the exchange of information between the brain and the rest of the body is disrupted. This is why recognizing back pain as a larger problem within the body is crucial. Back pain is not only a sign that the spine is out of alignment, but that the nervous system is not functioning properly. And an impaired nervous system can have a cascade effect throughout the rest of the body. With chiropractic adjustments I will be able to restore proper spinal alignment and, subsequently, restore proper function throughout the body, improving overall quality of life.

Lastly, I have a very holistic mindset and believe that every part of us; mind, body and soul, are connected. If one suffers, the others will too. Because of this, it is crucial to prioritize all aspects of health. Living in such a fast-paced, stressful world, health is often neglected and we suffer because of this. I want to help people change this mindset and learn to prioritize their own health. I want to show people the importance of eating healthy, exercising, meditating; or even just learning to slow down and listen to the body’s needs. As a chiropractor I will have a platform to do so. I will be able to help my patients realize the importance of their own health and, hopefully, inspire them to make it a priority in their lives.

In conclusion, as a chiropractor I will change the healthcare field for the better. I will provide an alternative method for pain relief, restore proper structure and function throughout the body, and inspire my patients to prioritize their own health. Doing so, I will help people become the healthiest, best version of themselves that they can be.