We know that how we feel impacts our mental state. What is now clearly proven and has been repeatedly shown are the nerve pathways in the brain that allow either good, happy thoughts (internal dialogue) or their opposite directly affect body-wide physiology – from organ function to so much more. The principle of Vibrant Life … Read more
Vibrant Life Key 1: Power & Control
Spinal hygiene – behaviours to keep motion and health of our spine in peak condition – is vital, yet regularly overlooked by many. Spinal hygiene includes stretching, strengthening, posture correction, strength, better lifting technique, less sitting and so much more. Efforts toward spinal hygiene need to be engaged in daily, for life. It is as … Read more
Sufficient movement, and the resultant transmission of nerve feedback that ‘signals’ awareness of this movement to the brain is CRITICAL to healthy brain function. The common theme we’ve been discussing under the category of Vibrant Life Key 3 – Moving – the way it’s meant to be, is the importance of sufficient levels of movement … Read more
The impact of modern living choices on our posture is stark and significant. Poor posture is both initiated or maintained by many of our behaviours and use of personal devices (phones etc.) AND by the stress-load in our bodies leading to dominance of our ‘fear and protection’ neurological reaction as an attempt to keep us … Read more
A consistent argument discussed on this site is that chiropractic adjustments (when required) are an essential component of living a vibrant, ideal life with great levels of health. This assertion is based on the definition of health we use, and the rationale for regular chiropractic adjustments, found here. Chiropractic Adjustments help restore the needed and … Read more
Movement Deficiency Syndrome™ is a concept informed by the idea that we all NEED exercise or physical movement! Movement is life! Movement is a biological requirement for neurological health and a vibrant, optimal life. The evidence is clear that movement is an ‘essential nutrient’ to ensure the healthy, homeostatic function, both of individual cells, and … Read more
The term ‘body thoughts’ has been coined to simplify somewhat complex neurological terminology and make these topics easier to understand. The concept of a positive thought is obvious. We understand what it is, and elsewhere on this site we have explained the brain pathways by which they directly reduce the stress reaction in our body … Read more
At Dr Ben Phillips.com I focus on the impact of stress as a profound and inescapable factor in determining health and wellbeing. I have a very broad definition of stress that is important to understand. This definition helps to explain some of the broader impact or potential value of both Chiropractic Care and Health & … Read more
While there are many different potentially stressful stimuli occuring in the external environment outside of us, or in our internal environment – inside our skin they can be collapsed into only TWO prime categories – toxicity or deficiency. These stimuli in our lives initiate or cause us stress. Environmental stressors are at the root of … Read more
One of our colleagues Patrick Gentempo coined the term ‘General Adaptive Potential’ (GAP) to explain how the flexibility of our nervous system determines if stress will have potentially good, valuable effects on our health and well-being or if we will pay a price for the stress load we are experiencing. Hans Selye, one of the … Read more