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As we head into snow-shovelling season, while still deep in the midst of leaf-raking season and leaving gardening season behind, I got to thinking about things that affect our bodies in general.
I am fond of saying there are only ever three things that can affect our bodies. Except, everything one might ever do, say, or think under the sun can fit into one of these three categories.
What mysterious three things are these Dr. Sara, that can affect ease or dis-ease in the body?
Pretty much everything can be broken down into physical, chemical, and mental categories.
Each one affects our bodies differently, and different actions might be taken in relation to each one. So, I thought I would write a 3-part series about what the founder of chiropractic, Dr. Daniel D. Palmer, called the three T's: Trauma (Physical), Toxins, and Thots (Mental).
Now, back in the day (1890s), Dr. Palmer wrote a lot about the spinal effects of things like having fallen off your horse, malnutrition, and hopelessness. While some of the specifics of these things have changed in modern times (less malnutrition, fewer horse falls, but more social media, more chemicals), the overall categories of what affects the body haven't changed in one hundred and fifty years.
Let's begin with the things we would consider physical.
To me, in chiropractic practice, physical things can be repetitive strain activities like raking leaves and snow shovelling or physical injuries such as a whiplash from a car accident or tearing a ligament at the gym. I would also put an overly sedentary lifestyle into the physical category for how it remodels your body to be more efficient at being sedentary. You lose muscle and diminish heart and lung capacity, for example, in order to conserve energy. Our body doesn't judge; it simply remodels itself based on the input we give it, either building up or breaking down.
Clients are often surprised by how I can tell the physical demands on their bodies from a cursory glance or a quick assessment. They show up in the spine.
This is because our spine is an informational switching station. We take in information via perceptions that include every single joint in our bodies, and each of the 33 vertebrae has 4 joints. I've seen estimates that 90% of our perceptual information comes up to the brain from the spine. Each spinal level sends information about "life" as that vertebra up to the brain.
Is C4 moving well in all its little joints? What are the muscles at L3 doing? Are the nerve impulses at T9 flowing appropriately (not too much or too little)? Our brain takes all this information in and directs the appropriate response. Let go and relax here and strengthen over there. Whups, we're too tight on the left, so send some pain down there so they won't move too much while we replace some of the muscle cells.
It's an intricate dance of information running up and down and up again through the spine.
Always reorganizing as needed.
The spinal entrainments I use highlight areas for the brain to pay attention to. This allows your spinal system to function at its best.
There are a lot of reasons why your spine/body/brain may get stuck in these informational maintenance and healing processes.
The more aligned and fluid you are overall, the quicker your system can heal from physical issues, and you can enjoy life fully.
Things that are always good to do physically are stretching and exercise. Take it slow and work up to it. Go for a walk.
Injuries that are physical only tend to have a bell curve recovery period. It hurts more at first until it hits a peak and then comes back down. If recovery plateaus or pain and symptoms go back up, you may be reinjuring yourself without realizing it.
Stay tuned next month when we will look at the chemical aspects that affect the body and some things you can do in that category to help your body stay well.
Updates and Upcoming Events
Update - Office Hours:
Our office will be closed from November 12 to 17, 2025
Upcoming Events
Listening to Ignite the Human Spirit - Starting on November 6, 2025
The 6-month online masterclass program for everyone ready to spark the human spirit within themselves and others. This online series combines group mastermind explorations with monthly experts in the field. Led by advanced transformative coaches Sara Joy O'Neill, Katerina Fiserova and Bryan Smyers, learn how to navigate life from a space of listening to a deeper part of ourselves to increase productivity, let go of habits, and live with more joy and ease.
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