If someone asked us to choose between good health and great wealth, most of us would pick good health, without a question. However, if asked to define “health,” we might have trouble putting into words what this concept means to us. For some of us health might mean absence of illness, disease and pain. For others good health might mean a more positive state of being, including strong bones and teeth, shiny hair and eyes, strong muscles, appropriate weight, and more.

We all want want great health. This is very important. Unfortunately, this goal at times is very difficult to reach with a health care system focused primarily on treatment of disease as opposed to prevention of illness. Focusing on symptoms is not the key to health. Though we have extensive research about the illness of the body and therapy of signs and symptoms, we should be focusing on prevention.

For example in regards to heart patients, heart bypasses and angioplasty do not address the underlying cause of the heart problem. Many surgeries merely treat the existing problem, which sometimes returns if the patient doesn’t also make a lifestyle change. When patients make comprehensive lifestyle changes consistent with a healthy heart and overall wellness, most patients have a good chance of improving. This reality is being proven through research time and time again.

Many times someone is hospitalized with an end-stage illness that has taken years to develop. During previous years the person has eaten sweets, salami, french fries and ice cream every day. Someone may ask, “What’s wrong with me, Doc?” The doctor replies, “I don’t know, we’ll have to run more exams.”

The reality is that we can examine the whole person and his or her lifestyle over the years, and the illness will be seen throughout their entire body. Wouldn’t it make more sense to study what causes the body to be healthy as opposed to being sick? Unfortunately, only twenty percent of today’s research is spent on preventative health care and most is spent on illness. Part of the problem might be that it is less lucrative to study prevention than it is to study treatment for illness and disease.

Some researchers examining the factors that help keep the body healthy are becoming increasingly convinced of the importance of the mind/body connection as a critical factor in health. This factor is an important reason more people are turning to chiropractic health care as part of their health building strategies.

Doctors of chiropractic work directly with the mind and body connection for optimum health. The brain contains all the information to run the body correctly and naturally. The entire nervous system is a channel of nerves from the brain to each tissue cell in the body. All functions are controlled by the nervous system. Similarly, the spinal column covers and protects the nervous system from outside damage.

We know that brain functions can be affected unless we keep it safe and free from severe injuries. The same is true for the spine and proper nervous system function. When the spine is injured and the spine cord becomes cut, the body can become paralyzed because the brain can no longer converse with the rest of the body. The principle also applies when damage to the spine is on a smaller scale, resulting in misalignment of spinal bones and pressure on nerve function. Spinal vertebra misalignment results in a partial communication breakdown leading to an incomplete connection between the mind and body. When this happens, the body loses much of its ability to maintain health and proper function.

Additionally lifestyle factors are important in building health. We know we need proper rest, correct nutrition, exercise and a positive mental attitude. Unfortunately we may not fully understand the importance of a fully functioning nervous system. Building health within the body is the ultimate the path we all must discover for ourselves. It is not something a doctor can give us especially when they are focusing on disease. It is something we give ourselves because healing and health are natural states, and we have the power to control our decisions regardless.

B.J. Palmer, developer of chiropractic, said, “In the future, chiropractic will be valued for its preventative qualities as much as for relieving and adjusting the cause of many ailments.” The future is now because chiropractic is no longer alternative but the mainstream choice of millions who have turned to chiropractic for natural health and wellness care. Chiropractic is now covered by many insurance companies.

Doctors of chiropractic are committed to educating their patients about healthy lifestyle and their patients express appreciation for it. To learn more, those interested can go to www.BackCareTreatment.com. We need to be involved with our health by asking questions and beginning our own quest to discover just what “good health” is, and how it can be obtained.

Looking to find the best rated chiropractor, then visit www.backcaretreatment.com to find the best advice on spinal care for you.