There is No Such Thing as “Flu Season”

Fall is finally in full swing and the leaves are looking beautiful! With the change in season comes the returning threat of “seasonal” illnesses like colds and the flu. Have you ever wondered why there is such a thing as “seasonal” illness? Why would viruses and bacteria only come around during the fall and winter months? They don’t – this is a MYTH!

Think for a moment about what would happen if you planted a seed in the ground. You covered it with soil, didn’t water it, offer it sun, or supply it with air.

Would the seed grow? NO! Why not?

The answer is that the condition of the soil was not ideal for the seed to take root and for the plant to flourish. Now, consider your body equivalent to soil and a virus or bacteria as the seed. If you planted that seed in your body right now, could it grow?

Many people get sick with colds or the flu this time of year because the condition of their body is primed for pathogens to thrive and grow. Contributing factors can include:

High emotional or physical stress
Decreased exercise
Less sun exposure and Vitamin D production
Depleted essential nutrients
Increased sugar and processed food intake (Holiday goodies)
Disrupted neuro-immune system communication

These are all ingredients for increasing your susceptibility to illnesses. Take the necessary steps to ensure that you’re healthy over the upcoming months.

At Family First Chiropractic & Wellness Center in White Bear Lake, we primarily deal with the final bullet point. We focus on Neuro-Structual Correction; resolving obstructions between the nervous system and the rest of the body. Proper communication between the nervous system and the immune system is vital to remaining healthy.

The nervous system sends a message to initiate an immune response to a pathogen which may be causing you to be ill. Once the pathogen has been eliminated, your nervous system restores normal balance to your immune function. Your nervous system is also directly responsible for increasing your internal body temperature and creating a fever, which generates unfavorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to grow. The nervous system regulates immune system function by promoting rest and decreasing stress, which, as discussed previously, can lead to poorer immune responses.

Often we find that structural shifts in the spine obstruct communication controlling immune system response. Our goal is to correct those shifts, restoring NORMAL position and allowing messages to be sent properly from the nervous system to the immune system and the rest of the body.

In Summary: “Flu season” is really a suppressed immune system season. A strong nerve system = a strong immune system!  If you want to strengthen your immune system and feel great all winter, strengthen your nerve system by getting checked and adjusted regularly!

Here is what our family does to stay healthy all winter…..

#1. Weekly adjustments

#2. Eat well (nourish our bodies with healthy foods and bone broth for nutrients and avoid sugary foods.)

#3. Get good rest

#4. Manage our stress levels (this means often saying “no” more often to commitments, and practicing deep breathing)

#5. Nourish our bodies with Vitamin D, a great multivitamin, probiotics and a fish oil. 

#6. Using essential oils when needed.