Achieving Optimal Health Through Medical Devices
Is it possible to achieve optimal health through medical devices? Let’s dive in…
The OPA (Office of Population Affairs) defines optimal health as:
“Optimal health is a dynamic balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health…Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of learning experiences that enhance awareness, increase motivation, and build skills and, most important, through the creation of opportunities that open access to environments that make positive health practices the easiest choice.” It is a holistic focus with the aim of attaining the best possible health outcomes by promoting healthier behaviors and not merely the absence of disease. 1
This approach focuses on attaining the best possible health outcomes by promoting healthier behaviors, rather than merely the absence of disease.
From a holistic medicine perspective, achieving optimal health involves considering the whole person—body, mind, spirit, and emotions. A holistic doctor may incorporate a variety of care forms, from conventional medicine to alternative therapies, to support the patient’s well-being. In short, optimal health is a state of being achieved through a well-rounded approach that goes beyond addressing disease alone.
What is a medical device?
Next let’s look at the definition of a medical device according to the FDA. Section 201(h) of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines a medical device as:
An instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including a component part or accessory which is: recognized in the official National Formulary, or the United States Pharmacopoeia, or any supplement to them, intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals, or intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals.
This definition emphasizes disease prevention or mitigation but doesn’t necessarily address the broader aim of boosting overall health and wellness.
Medical Devices and Holistic Health
Despite the definition, there’s been a surge in medical and consumer devices designed to help us proactively manage our health, not just to prevent disease but to promote overall well-being. However, from a holistic standpoint, most devices target only physical health, with some newer innovations beginning to monitor mental and emotional states. Still, there seems to be little focus on addressing the spiritual aspect, which some believe is where illness originates.
“Dr. Joe Dispenza believes that many of us are living in a state of constant anxiety. The fight-or-flight responses that evolution has hard-wired into our brains cause us to be constantly on alert — and that negative mode of thinking triggers genes that can cause all kinds of problems from panic attacks to cancer.” - Lewis Howe podcast
I resonate with this viewpoint. Achieving optimal health solely through mental work, like meditation or mindfulness, is possible, but it requires immense dedication. For most of us, medical and consumer devices, along with healthcare providers, play a crucial role in supporting our journey toward better health.
So, Can We Achieve Optimal Health Through Devices?
This brings us back to the original question. While devices can certainly save lives, improve health, and monitor our progress, they are only part of the solution. True optimal health is achieved through a holistic approach, integrating various modalities that work together.
Ultimately, the greatest barriers to optimal health are not the devices themselves but the systemic issues in our healthcare policies and societal beliefs about wellness. Yet, as mindsets shift and new technologies emerge, I remain hopeful that we’ll continue moving toward a more proactive, supportive approach to health.
Until that day, I’m excited to see the innovations that help us take small steps closer to a more balanced, optimal state of health.
https://opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/optimal-health-model-overview.pdf