Lifestyle medicine is an approach to medicine that has been around for just as long as conventional medicine but has only recently risen in popularity. It consists of 6 “pillars” that each have a different focus and together allow patients to replace current habits with healthy behaviors, causing a positive change in lifestyle. The goal of lifestyle medicine is to help treat patients that are suffering from chronic lifestyle-related conditions through preventing or even reversing the condition through evidence-based lifestyle changes that aim to improve overall health as well.

A doctor that has specialized in lifestyle medicine will use interventions of the lifestyle (through diet, level of physical activity, avoiding unhealthy habits, etc.) to treat chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, or cardiovascular diseases. Typically, lifestyle medicine doctors actually consist of a team of doctors that work together to treat each patients and the doctors may include dieticians, physical therapists, mental health practitioners, and any other medical professional who would be considered helpful for each specific case.

The 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine include:

• Nutrition – primarily consisting of plant-based foods to fuel your body in a healthy and efficient manner.
• Exercise – daily exercise regimens that are approachable and sustainable for the patient to allow them to continue long-term.
• Stress management – learning methods to reduce stress levels and tension to help maintain a lower blood pressure level.
• Risky substances – the avoidance or elimination of risky substances including alcohol, tobacco, or anything potentially addictive to improve overall health and mood.
• Sleep – a focus on the quality of sleep the patient is getting as a means to prevent reduced immunity or other potential health concerns.
• Relationships – feeling socially connected to others is vital for emotional health, as those with stronger relationships have proven to have more success in maintaining healthy changes in lifestyle with through that social support.

The goal of all of these pillars working together is to improve the overall health of the patient in every aspect of their lives, rather than focusing on addressing each problem individually. Each one of these pillars can have a significant impact on our physical and mental health and can be the reason we succeed or not in treatments. The team of doctors available for lifestyle medical treatments will ensure that each one of these pillars is handled by a specialist relevant to that field, while also working alongside other healthcare professionals to ensure that the treatment is cohesive and as effective as possible. This approach also plays a key role in the weight loss and wellness program at Cape Fear Physical Medicine & Rehab, where managing weight is intertwined with a holistic approach to health, ensuring that all aspects of wellness are addressed together for optimal results.

Lifestyle medicine is primarily used to treat patients suffering from chronic conditions that may be heavily influenced by their previous lifestyle choices. We all know that doctors recommend eating healthily, exercising regularly, and trying our best to sleep for more than 6 hours a night, but we often don’t realize how much consistently doing all of these things, along with implementing a few other behavioral or lifestyle changes, can drastically affect how we feel day to day. Lifestyle medicine is intended to show patients how to take proper care of their body and mind, and how significant the impact can be when you feel energized from a proper diet, enough sleep, and being physically capable of executing day-to-day activities. Weight management and overall wellness are also key components, as maintaining a healthy weight and adopting a balanced lifestyle play a critical role in overall well-being. Using risky substances, isolating ourselves, and having no healthy way to cope with stress or tension eventually take their toll on our lives, and lifestyle medicine forces patients to hit a hard reset. It teaches self-awareness to ensure that their body and mind are treated with love and respect.

At Cape Fear Physical Medicine & Rehab, take the first step toward a healthier lifestyle today. Our healthcare professionals are dedicated to providing personalized care and guidance every step of the way, helping you make sustainable changes that enhance your well-being and overall quality of life. Contact us or schedule your appointment and start improving your quality of life. We are conveniently located at 1540 Purdue Dr, Ste. 200, in Fayetteville, NC 28303. We serve patients from Fayetteville NC, Woodfield NC, Hope Mills NC, Fort Bragg NC, Eastover NC, and surrounding areas.