Holistic diagnostics

So, we got some new tyres recently. The old ones were very bald and worn. My curious daughter, on seeing these new ones, asked me how they worked. I started to explain about tread and axels and then I realised firstly, I don't really know much about how cars work and secondly, the tyres form a single part of a very complex machine.

It brought me back to the concept of focus. When we have an ongoing problem or injury, that area becomes the focus of our pain. For me, it's my back. Over time, I have had all sorts of X-rays, MRIs, scans, specialists, poking and prodding. I was searching for a cure or a reason so that I could just "get it fixed" thus solving my pain problem. But rarely did anyone look at my how my whole body was functioning (physically, emotionally, psychologically).

Thinking back to the car analogy, if my body was a car, then let's assume I have a panel that is all smashed up (my spine). I wanted desperately to take myself off to the mechanic and get that panel repaired. They could bang out the dints and give it a new spray paint, job done! Right?

But will my car go on to then run at it's optimum...?
What about the black smoke coming from the exhaust (unhelpful thoughts/mindset)?
What about the fact I'm giving the car unleaded fuel instead of diesel (poor diet)?
What about my brake pads that are worn and useless (not pacing my daily activities and overdoing it)?
What about the sticky clutch which is stiff from lack of use (inconsistent stretching or strength exercise program)?

 "

The whole is greater than the sum of it's parts - Aristotle

"

For the most effective tune up, we need to be looking at the whole body. I believe it would be very helpful to have a holistic diagnostic of where a person is at on their wellness journey. Not a single snapshot in time of what can be a very complex pain problem. I realise that it is difficult to look at all the aspects affecting a person's condition in a single 10 minute consultation. So, what is the solution? I have been playing around with designing a pre-visit holistic wellness survey that could be used to identify a "whole of body" approach to the management of chronic pain.

If you are interested, please let me know.