Rethinking Healthcare: The Case for Proactive Movement Coaching and Postural Awareness
I recently had a thought-provoking conversation with a friend about healthcare. Let’s call him John. He asked why health insurance doesn’t cover proactive interventions. As a chiropractor, I found his specific concern especially relevant—why couldn’t he receive regular chiropractic care as a preventive measure to maintain his health and reduce the risk of unexpected musculoskeletal pain?
My Answer:
The health insurance industry is structured to cover only treatments deemed medically necessary. But what defines medical necessity? It’s determined by the presence of a physical condition that causes moderate to severe pain and significantly limits a person’s ability to perform daily activities.
For example, a severe bout of lower back pain that restricts movement to the point of debilitating limitations in daily tasks would typically qualify as medically necessary. Healthcare benefits generally cover treatment until the condition is restored to a pre-injury or pre-pain/dysfunction status. Once this level of recovery is achieved, insurance coverage typically ends.
To continue proactive care—such as regular chiropractic adjustments, working with a personal trainer, eating a healthy diet, receiving massage therapy, or engaging in movement coaching—individuals must pay out of pocket.
A Different Perspective: Auto Insurance
A useful way to think about the true function of our health care system is through the lens of automobile insurance. Most of us carry car insurance—why? To cover unforeseen accidents that may cause damage to our vehicle. However, auto insurance does not cover routine maintenance like oil changes, wheel alignments, or tire replacements. That responsibility falls on the car owner.
Similarly, those who follow a regular maintenance schedule for their car tend to have a vehicle that runs reliably for years. The same principle applies to health—investing in proactive care supports long-term well-being, even if it isn’t covered by insurance.
Yes, a proactive approach requires an investment mindset. Many people seek out physical therapists, chiropractors, and personal trainers with a reactionary mindset—addressing the effects of unconscious daily body misuse only after discomfort or dysfunction arises. While these interventions offer benefits, they often do not address the underlying process that leads to movement inefficiencies and structural imbalances.
A more effective approach involves investing time in a consistent movement practice that fosters mindfulness in daily actions, making them structurally and functionally more efficient. This process-centered approach helps extend your health span alongside your lifespan, rather than experiencing the common decline in health span as you age.
The real question to ask yourself is: How much do I truly value my health? Am I willing to invest in habits and practices that align with my body’s natural structure and function? And are my current efforts genuinely supporting this goal?
If your answer is no, but you have a strong desire to learn what’s required, you’re in the right place.
One of the biggest challenges is knowing what to do and when to do it—specifically, recognizing poor movement and postural habits as they happen and making real-time adjustments. At HUMOMA, we tackle this by applying the principles of Human Movement Management (HUMOMA) to help you develop a deep understanding of how your body’s structure and function relate to both daily movement and recreational activities. Discover the impact of this experiential and playful approach—it equips you with the tools to improve, sustain, and manage your movement capacities for life. You can learn more by subscribing to our blog here.
Have questions? Feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to discuss your interests or concerns.
Richard Omel (movement coach. chiropractor)
richard@humoma.com
