{"id":1197,"date":"2025-09-11T22:07:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T22:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/?p=1197"},"modified":"2025-10-11T08:29:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T12:29:46","slug":"patient-empowerment-wellness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/","title":{"rendered":"The First Five #4 Patient Empowerment: Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Patient Empowerment is probably the most exciting and challenging part of the new medical paradigm I aim to inspire.&nbsp; Healthcare must evolve if we are going to see better outcomes for those who suffer from chronic and autoimmune diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medical schools for one will need to incorporate training that goes well beyond their current focus on pharmaceutical medicines.&nbsp; Doctors must be trained in understanding how various body systems work interconnectedly and synchronistically to keep us healthy and well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And patients must be inspired to understand their role in creating the level of health and vitality they say they desire.&nbsp; This is the heart of patient empowerment .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/#The_Current_Problem\" >The Current Problem&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/#A_Better_Way\" >A Better Way&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/#The_Patients_Role\" >The Patient\u2019s Role&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/#Chronic_Disease_and_Responsibility\" >Chronic Disease and Responsibility&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/#Empowerment_Through_Choices\" >Empowerment Through Choices&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/patient-empowerment-wellness\/#The_Science_of_Emotions\" >The Science of Emotions&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Current_Problem\"><\/span><strong>The Current Problem&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For three or four generations now, we have been taught that when we are sick or suffering, our job is to go to the doctor and ask for treatment.&nbsp; We have been convinced\u2014rightfully so, to some degree\u2014that the <strong>\u201cdoctor knows best.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further, the system in place has assured us that the best thing we can do is to <strong>\u201cfollow the doctor\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But these energies of<strong> \u201cdoctor knows best\u201d<\/strong> and <strong>\u201cfollow doctor\u2019s orders\u201d <\/strong>are victimizing.&nbsp; We essentially turn our <strong>\u201cselves\u201d<\/strong> over to an authority and assume there is nothing else we can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet this mindset stands in stark contrast to the principles of patient empowerment\u2014the idea that individuals can and should play an active role in their own healing. And as much as victim status is one of the lowest levels of energy we can experience, it seems poorly placed in a healthcare setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Better_Way\"><\/span><strong>A Better Way&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Further, it is also out of balance with reality.&nbsp; As I watched and learned from the doctors of natural medicine and their efforts to honor the wisdom of the body and as I saw the importance of engaging their patients in their own care, one truth became abundantly clear!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Patient empowerment is not just a concept; it\u2019s a lived experience. When individuals are invited to participate actively in their healing, something shifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cThe best doctor you will ever find is the one you see in the mirror every morning.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_11114361_S.jpg\" alt=\"\nA woman holds a small, round mirror up to her face, gazing into it with a reflective expression for patient empowerment.\" class=\"wp-image-1260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_11114361_S.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_11114361_S-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_11114361_S-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_11114361_S-150x99.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As I discussed in The First Five #1 and #2, the body is constantly trying to return itself to balance and health.&nbsp; The imbalance you are suffering from may show up in the doctor\u2019s tests, but it may not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Read here: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/11\/the-bodys-ability-to-heal-itself\/\">The First Five #1 Body&#8217;s Ability to Heal Itself: A Deeper Look at Your Natural Power<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Read here:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/11\/homeostasis-and-natural-healing\/\">The First Five #2 Homeostasis and the Power of Natural Healing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>No one can answer the question <strong>\u201cWhere is my life out of balance?\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp; more clearly than you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Patients_Role\"><\/span><strong>The Patient\u2019s Role&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the new paradigm, patient empowerment is where we will understand how to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listen to our own bodies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trust our instincts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take ownership of our own health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This suggests some real power we have\u2014but also responsibility that we may have often thought was the job of a doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As I\u2019ve often stated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>\u201cThe good news about the philosophy of health and wellness that I\u2019ve learned and now preach to any who will listen is that more than you ever realized, you play a critical role in your path to vibrant health!\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>&nbsp;\u201cThe bad news about the philosophy of health and wellness that I\u2019ve learned and now preach to any who will listen is that more than you ever realized, you play a critical role in your path to vibrant health!\u201d&nbsp;<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_5703093_S-1.jpg\" alt=\"A man and two women are walking on a paved path in a park with trees in autumn. \" class=\"wp-image-1261\" srcset=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_5703093_S-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_5703093_S-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_5703093_S-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Depositphotos_5703093_S-1-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chronic_Disease_and_Responsibility\"><\/span><strong>Chronic Disease and Responsibility&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While following a doctor\u2019s orders can be effective for trauma or infectious illnesses, the same approach doesn\u2019t work for chronic conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing chronic disease requires active participation.&nbsp; That means helping uncover what\u2019s really throwing the body off balance and being willing to make the lifestyle shifts that support healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of the day, no prescription can undo the damage of a poor diet or unhealthy choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Empowerment_Through_Choices\"><\/span><strong>Empowerment Through Choices&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I would like you to know the level of patient empowerment felt and embraced when they begin to realize that our choices make all the difference in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it is not just diet and exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emotional stress is a huge contributor to the imbalances that lead to illness.&nbsp; I broadly define emotional stress as our inability to forgive ourselves and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every day, we choose to consciously or unconsciously live in love, gratitude, and forgiveness, or we choose to live in anger, resentment, and bitterness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&nbsp; may think those choices don\u2019t matter, but they do.&nbsp; They deeply impact the structure and function of the human organism in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Science_of_Emotions\"><\/span><strong>The Science of Emotions&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I was first exposed to the science of this fact in an amazing book called The Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert, PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"309\" height=\"466\" src=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image.png 309w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-199x300.png 199w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-150x226.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 309px) 100vw, 309px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The energy we call anger literally blocks cell receptors that allow nutrients to enter our cells.&nbsp; A little anger is at times necessary and appropriate, but chronic anger is deeply self-destructive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The choices we make either raise or lower our vitality on a daily basis.&nbsp; Positive emotions lift us, and negative emotions drain us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More insights will come in future posts, but here\u2019s what matters most right now: the more you embrace your personal power in health decisions, the more your body will thrive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Patient empowerment stands at the heart of every lasting path to wellness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Read next:<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/quantum-physics-healthcare-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The First Five #5: Quantum Physics Driving the Bright Future of Healthcare<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1197_29e8c6-dd .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1197_29e8c6-dd size-large\" data-aos=\"zoom-in-up\"><a href=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/quantum-physics-healthcare-future\/\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"The First Five #5: Quantum Physics Driving the Bright Future of Healthcare\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"An image showing quantum physics symbols on one side and healthcare tools on the other, highlighting the contrast between science and medicine.\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1-1024x640.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1-1536x960.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1-150x94.jpg 150w, https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Patient Empowerment is probably the most exciting and challenging part of the new medical paradigm I aim to inspire.&nbsp; Healthcare must evolve&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"show","_kad_post_feature_position":"above","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[31,32,34,33,35,30],"class_list":["post-1197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-first-five","tag-active-healing","tag-chronic-disease-self-care","tag-emotional-wellness","tag-healthcare-paradigm-shift","tag-mind-body-connection","tag-patient-empowerment"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":15,"label":"The First Five"}],"post_tag":[{"value":31,"label":"Active Healing"},{"value":32,"label":"Chronic Disease Self-Care"},{"value":34,"label":"Emotional Wellness"},{"value":33,"label":"Healthcare Paradigm Shift"},{"value":35,"label":"Mind-Body Connection"},{"value":30,"label":"Patient Empowerment"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-1024x640.png",1024,640,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Tom Staverosky","author_link":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/author\/tom-staverosky\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":15,"name":"The First Five","slug":"the-first-five","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":15,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":5,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":15,"category_count":5,"category_description":"","cat_name":"The First Five","category_nicename":"the-first-five","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":31,"name":"Active Healing","slug":"active-healing","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":31,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":32,"name":"Chronic Disease Self-Care","slug":"chronic-disease-self-care","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":32,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":34,"name":"Emotional Wellness","slug":"emotional-wellness","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":34,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":33,"name":"Healthcare Paradigm Shift","slug":"healthcare-paradigm-shift","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":33,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":1,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":35,"name":"Mind-Body Connection","slug":"mind-body-connection","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":35,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":4,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":30,"name":"Patient Empowerment","slug":"patient-empowerment","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":30,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":3,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1197"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1581,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1197\/revisions\/1581"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1328"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreverwell.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}