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February 2, 2010

Take Care Of It, It Will Take Care Of You

Well, the truck is in the shop. We own one vehicle, a older model, light duty truck -- old enough to still have a carburetor. When you own one vehicle, the logistics of getting it to the mechanic when it won't start requires some planning. So I spent the better part of my day running around taking care of things. This is how I relax on my week between classes and the start of my internship.

Besides needing a muffler, which we were planning to bring the truck to the mechanic for anyway, it turns out our battery became accidentally disconnected. There may be some wisdom in popping the hood and staring blankly into the engine when things don't go right, after all!

Actually, we have found that where our vehicle is concerned, we have led a charmed life. It just goes to show that if you take care of something, do the maintenance that is required, it will last. That's actually a good analogy for the body, as well.

Just as running your car regularly keeps the battery from dying and the oil from turning to sludge in the engine, exercise keeps the mind sharper and helps reduce the build up of plaque in the arteries. Bringing the car in for winterizing can be likened to your annual physical.

My father used to liken the body to an old car. Replace one part and it puts stress on the other systems that are also wearing out. Where ever there is a weakness in the system is where the next problem will occur.

What's different about the body is that it is designed to be used. Disuse actually causes the body to break down. If everything is aligned correctly in the body (joints), the more it is used, the stronger the body becomes. If you find you need motivation to move your body, watch a little TV -- specifically, the educational shows about bariatric hospitals.

tags: massage massagetherapy wellness massage therapy bodywork health

Posted by linda at February 2, 2010 8:20 AM