Chiropractic: Feeling Better or Better Feeling?
When it comes to our health, we usually think about it in terms of feeling good or at least better than we did before. The phrase “I don’t care, just make the pain go away!” is frequently heard. We’ve been programmed to think this way by advertisers, and even the “Health” Care system is designed to treat symptoms. If there are no symptoms, I must be healthy. If I am feeling pain and discomfort, then I must be sick and I need something or someone to relieve the symptoms.
Current thinking is that health means experiencing life pain-free. This can be a dangerous approach to health and an unfulfilling way to live. Studies and statistics appear frequently showing how controlling pain as a definition of health is harmful and is making us less and less healthy. Taking a pill to numb the pain does not improve your health.
Unfortunately, chiropractic care can also be and frequently is used in this manner. When your neck hurts, you get headaches or your back is sore you go to the chiropractor because you must be “out”. That may be the case but approaching your health and chiropractic in this manner is no different than reaching into the medicine cabinet for two extra strength Tylenols.
Treating symptoms with medications or with natural approaches (i.e. herbs, vitamins, chiropractic, massage etc.) as your primary way of being healthy is no different. You wait until symptoms appear and then treat them. This is reactive thinking. These symptoms are distress signals because your health and wellness have been diminished and your body is telling you something important.
Let’s look at how the body is designed and how symptoms are perceived. The sensory part of our nervous system is responsible for transmitting messages about what we are feeling including pain and symptoms. The sensory system only makes up 11% of the total nervous system. The other 89% is dedicated to running organs and muscles in the body, things you are totally unaware of. For example, how is the nerve supply to your spleen today? Waiting for symptoms to appear totally disregards how the rest of your body is functioning.
What about taking a proactive stance and promoting your health and wellness? Why not make healthy choices when you are well to increase your overall potential? Take the vitamins and herbs and see your massage therapist as a way of being healthier. Use chiropractic care to ensure that your nervous system is free from interference from your spine so that your body can better sense itself and respond accordingly. Make sure your entire nervous system is at its best.
This provides you with the opportunity to reach your full potential and have a full life experience that recognizes symptoms in their context. It’s about better feeling not feeling better.
