Each of us is built according to a pattern laid out in the heart of almost every cell in our bodies. As we grow and mature our bodies, while remaining true to the instructions, are subject to environmental forces. The way we sit, stand, walk,  run, and play, the food we consume and the air we breath, all contribute to the way in which our bodies seek to maintain balance. We are constantly adapting to these forces. And yet there are many more components to the creation of the pattern in to which we live and operate. Emotional stress, and psychological factors also play a role in how our bodies maintain this balance.

Every atom in the universe seeks to maintain balance. Water seeks its own level, houses settle in to the earth over the years, and electrical current seeks to ground itself so electrons can dissipate the energy that moves them through a wire. Our bodies are no different. When we run, our bodies seek to gather more oxygen for tired muscles. When we don’t get enough water, we become thirsty, and so on. This battle for balance is a constant dance of action and reaction, like a note struck on a guitar string. The string vibrates, producing the music, and eventually falls silent, achieving balance.

But what happens when we go beyond the point of our body being able to achieve balance? Our bodies will find a new pattern, adapting to the stress, or it will not; like the broken guitar string. The key to balance is habit. Weather your habit is to sit in front of computer all day at work, or to play tennis three times a week the result is the same; your body becomes habitualized to that activity. Soon your muscles, tendons and ligaments are part of your body’s pattern of existence. It will seek its own balance, and that may not be comfortable, and can be painful.

You’ve heard people say that without your health, you’ve got nothing. Well, that’s not necessarily true. You may just be out of tune, but by working with an integrative therapist you’ll be humming right along.