Let Freedom Ring!

Summer is officially here, and I don’t know about you, but for me that means lots of fun outside swimming, playing with friends, and of course, seeing the local firework shows! Fireworks on the 4th of July symbolize America’s independence and freedom. The founders of America knew that freedom is absolutely necessary for a nation to be prosperous and for the people to express their innate potential and happiness. Freedom is a principle that extends far and wide. It’s not only essential for a healthy nation, but also for a healthy body. You see, your AMAZING body is made up of many unique parts – a vast collection of cells that all work together – all for YOU! Like the people in our country, each cell serves an important role. For instance, the cells of the eye receive light from the world and send it to the brain. The cells of the brain take the light (colors and shapes) and create a sensible picture of the world. From that picture, the brain notices what’s happening around us – and sends information to different parts of the body to accomplish what it wants. If it’s very sunny, the brain may tell the eyes to squint. If it’s very hot, the brain may tell the cells of the skin to sweat so we can cool off a little. And if we see a nice pool on a hot summer day, maybe we feel excitement and we choose to run to the pool and jump in – so the brain tells the certain muscles to contract and others to relax so our legs and arms start moving. Your AMAZING brain does all of this without you having to tell it what to do. It just knows. Isn’t that cool? It determines how our body moves and works – and how we get where we want to go in the world! It even helps us dream, feel love, and feel what it feels like to be free. Each cell of the body must be free to do its work. And there are certain things that limit their freedom. These are called Toxins, Traumas and negative Thoughts, also called “the three T’s”. Ask your chiropractor about the three T’s and he or she will tell you all about it! Well, toxins can harm or destroy some of our cells, preventing them from doing their best work. So can traumas or injuries. Negative thoughts can also damage the cells by sending the wrong messages like “you’re too weak,” or “it’s hopeless.” Whenever these “T’s” build up in the body, the brain tells the cells of the body to work together to heal them and the damage they cause. To do that, cells and our immune system use their superpower called “inflammation.” Some people and even some doctors call this “sickness,” “illness,” or “disease.” But it is actually part of the intelligence of our AMAZING body, and an important part of how we heal after we get hurt, experience an illness, a toxin, or negative thoughts that cause stress in the body. The best part of this story is that the cells of the body are so good at removing the three T’s, that most of the time, all we need to do to make sure they get the job done is rest, eat good food, and get adjusted! Remember how the brain works with the eyes and muscles—sending a picture of the world so the muscles can move us where we want to go? Well the brain is also responsible for sending a message to each cell to become “inflamed” so they can remove the toxins, thoughts and traumas that are damaging the body. So one of the things we do to hasten our victory is make sure the body is adjusted and well aligned, so the cells can get the perfect messages from the brain to heal from the three T’s and have more FREEDOM to express health and feel good. You are designed to be healthy and happy – to feel free and alive. Your body is truly AMAZING. Just as the people of America celebrate freedom each year with fireworks, the body celebrates its freedom with powerful feelings of health, vibrancy and connection. This month we celebrate our freedom as a people - and we celebrate your AMAZING body and all of the things it does for you every day – so you have the freedom to enjoy life – from the inside-out!

—Mackenzie McNamara, DC