There’s a lot we can learn from symptoms. If you have been suffering from symptoms for any length of time, I’m sure you are tired of the learning process. However, the more you learn about them, the better you are able to make choices that get your body functioning at a higher level of health.

Lesson 1: Symptoms don’t always mean your body is broken. If you have ever had food poisoning for example, you know that the symptoms are extremely unpleasant and can cause incredible discomfort. When your body is working properly, it responds by violently eliminating the toxins as quickly as possible through the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. This is an example of symptoms that occur in a person whose body is working properly.

Fever is another example. The ideal temperature that bacteria enjoy is 98.6 degrees, which we all know is the normal body temperature. However, when we are under a lot of stress, over exposed to toxins in the environment or bacteria, the body will cause the symptom of raising its temperature to fight off the infection. This is another sign that the body is working the way it is supposed to.

Lesson 2: Symptoms can notify you of an area of your body that’s been injured. Injuries can occur in an area of the body that can cause you to feel it differently than normal. Pain in your back, neck, arm or leg can indicate that you have been injured. If the injury is not related to an underlying condition, like a cut or a bruise, the body’s self-healing, Innate Intelligence goes to work and within a few days or weeks, the symptoms usually disappear.

Lesson 3: Symptoms can notify you of an underlying condition, but not always. Waiting for symptoms to present before taking care of yourself is not a good idea. Underlying conditions can range in severity and variety, and absolutely must be addressed whether there are symptoms present or not.

Lesson 4: Treating symptoms with drugs can make you feel better while worsening the underlying cause. This is often true with people who take pain medication on an ongoing basis without addressing the cause of the pain. It’s also true for people who take ulcer medicine to alleviate their stomach pain while not addressing the ulcer’s cause. Athletes who take shots so they can feel better for the game run the risk of doing more severe damage to their body. People who get adjustments often feel better quickly, which may be great for today but the underlying subluxation still needs to be addressed.

Lesson 5: True health care is not about treating symptoms. Webster’s defines health as “the condition of an organism with respect to the performance of its vital functions.” To be truly healthy, your focus should be primarily on how your body is functioning rather than just how it feels. When you understand this approach, the health of your nervous system becomes your top priority.

The purpose of your nervous system is to control and coordinate the function of every cell, tissue and organ of your body, and adapt you to your environment.

Chiropractic examinations are essential to a healthy nervous system. They can reveal underlying problems in your spine that can lead to all types of health problems. Additionally, having good posture, getting plenty of rest, eating nourishing foods and exercising can also keep your nervous system healthy.

Don’t wait until you feel symptoms to get checked. Make Chiropractic Lifestyle Care a part of your “Lessons Learned” and enjoy a great quality of life to 80, 90, 100 years and beyond.