Life is a subjective experience for each of us. How you interpret any event in your life determines your view of life.

 In his book The Biology of Belief:Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles, Dr. Bruce Lipton says how you perceive your environment is more important to your sense of well-being than the actual environment itself. And the way you perceive it also impacts your state of health because your mind and body are deeply connected. 

Dr. Lipton explains that neither the effects of nature nor nurture are responsible for causing disease. The old belief of genes controlling our biology isn’t valid. He says genes are not independent. They can’t just turn themselves off and on. Instead, they’re triggered by environmental cues. And it’s the cells’ reaction to these cues that determine the eventual impact on the genetic material in our bodies. 

He suggests that as you change your beliefs about your environment, you can also change your reaction to it. As a result, you can literally reprogram your cells to react differently. For example, positive and negative thoughts can be the difference between the curing of disease or the persistence of symptoms. By choosing a positive attitude, you’re giving yourself the power to influence your health in a profound way.

 Stress as the Source of Mind-Body Illness 

The way stress converts to symptoms in the body is through the fight-or-flight response.  

When stressed, your body secretes adrenalin and corticosteroids. Your blood pressure and heart rate increase. Oxygen and nutrients divert from your digestive and immune systems to the musculoskeletal system, preparing you for a battle or a quick escape. In the short-run, this response works extremely well to ensure your survival. But if you endure long-term stress, this response can contribute to chronic illnesses, such as:

• High blood pressure and faster heart rate.

• Increases chances of heart attacks and strokes.

• Suppressed digestive system. This can lead to ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.

• Compromised immune system. Increases your vulnerability to all diseases and decreases how quickly you heal.

What’s surprising about the fight-or-flight response is that it’s activated whether you’re faced with real danger or only irrational fear. Your brain can easily interpret non-threatening situations as threatening. Irrational fears and worries result in an inappropriate response to stress. If prolonged, this mental and physical strain can damage your health.

 You can manage stress better by practicing yoga, meditation, and positive affirmations. But to eliminate stress, you need to change your reaction to it.

Chiropractic: Manual Medicine for Mind & Body

As a healing profession, chiropractic is based on the principles of mind-body medicine. It’s the affect that chiropractic has on our nervous system that determines the effects on our health.

For instance, if a nerve becomes pinched by an out of alignment vertebra, not only is it painful but the communication along this nerve is disrupted. As a result, all your tissues connected to this nerve won’t properly communicate with the brain. By repositioning the vertebrae, the chiropractic adjustment helps alleviate the pain of the pinched nerve. But the adjustment also ensures the brain and body effectively communicate with each other.

Remember, regular chiropractic adjustments are your best way to help optimize mind-body communication. You’ll experience the benefits of proper alignment and less stress. This makes it easier for you to respond appropriately to any of life’s challenges.

Dr. Christian Guenette

www.back2health.ca 

References: 

Lipton, B. The Biology of Belief:Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles (2008). Hay House, Inc.