Rethink, Reboot and Reward Your Body With Optimal Health

By Dr. Molly Casey

What does health mean to you? Is it an absence of symptoms on a day-to-day basis in which you don’t have headaches, acid reflux, or low back pain? Or is your definition something else? What is the value of your health? Have you thought about the gifts your body and your health give you? If you became seriously ill, how and why would your life change? What would you do differently? To be optimally healthy, these questions matter. Unfortunately, the problem in this society is that most people believe they are healthy as long as there are no symptoms. That’s absolutely not true. To be optimally healthy, we must consciously choose it and then act accordingly.

Optimal Health

Optimal health is a process. It’s where one is actively engaged in behaviors that support the highest possible function of their body and their life. Not only does this include the physical, but also spiritual, mental and community (relationships) health. Optimal health is not a destination, but a journey in which one is consistently looking to improve or better himself.

What are Symptoms?

Symptoms are the sign that something is malfunctioning or in a state of “dis-ease” in your body. Symptoms are literally only sign posts. They are meant to grab your attention to steer you back on track. Symptoms are generally the last thing to come about and the first thing to go away in the process of healing. Even though symptoms are no longer present does not mean the problem is no longer present.

Operating Systems

Our nation is in a health crisis. I believe it’s because most are moving through life on the wrong operating system -- the “if I have no symptoms I’m healthy” operating system. I contend it is time to rethink our internal software and get down deep into the “I choose optimal health” operating system.

Steps to Switching Systems

• Rethink - Understand that optimal health is a process: See above.
• Evaluate - Ask yourself what health means to you and looks like for you on a daily basis.
• Take ownership and personal responsibility of your own process - The health crisis we face in this nation right now is largely due to diseases that result from high levels of chronic stress and poor self-care. The only way these components will shift is when individuals take relentless responsibility for their life and all their choices.
• Feed the host - To be as healthy as possible, one must support their body to the greatest degree possible. This means whole foods without chemicals, low to no sugar intake, low to no caffeine, proper sleep, water and movement.
• Clear the interference - The truth is that you live in a toxic world in more ways than one. It’s not possible to avoid every chemical or toxin out there. And you will have accidents, falls and traumas that will affect your body. Clear the physical interference by getting chiropractic adjustments; clear the emotional and mental interference through meditation or yoga or other mental health practices; and clear the social interference within your relationships by being open and communicative and looking to progress forward in life.

Optimal health is a process and a path meant for you. We chiropractors at The Joint want you to enjoy the best health possible and we’re here to facilitate your journey. Come in and let us help you along your path!

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.