Our immune systems are linked to cancer-fighting, healing and repair, bug fighting, removal of unwanted tissue and a whole lot more.
It involves physical structures such as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and organs like the adrenal glands, spleen, pancreas, lymph nodes and many others. It involves chemical systems, such as blood cells, human growth hormone, adrenaline, cortisol and serotonin (again many others). In short, there is a lot to it, but this doesn’t mean we can’t have a powerful effect on it.
One thing I have noticed is that many clients won’t think to improve their immunity until they have a large immune reaction. They arrive with a streaming cold and ask, “What can we do for my cold?”, “What can I take?”
This is thinking from a drug company point of view. They feel discomfort and want to be more comfortable. Fair enough, but whilst medication can often allow you to feel better, it may actually leave you in a worse state. Antibiotics are a great example. With a very serious infection, say pneumonia, they may well save a person’s life. In the normal course of events they will also fight the bacteria that are necessary for life and health.
Outside – Inside Thinking vs Internal Thinking
Using medication is classic “Outside – Inside Thinking,” trying to affect the internal working by adding an external factor. Essentially interfering with the normal working processes of the body.
We need to think using ‘Internal Thinking’. What can we do to restore the normal and amazing function of the body that allows full health? In this case, a fully functioning immune system is required.
To build a strong immune system we need to get back to understanding that our bodies are designed to function amazingly in a natural environment; however our environment has changed radically. It takes a strategic and persistent approach, a clear understanding of the body systems and determination. Not just good luck.
Immediate Things That Will Help:
- Chiropractic Adjustments (Spinal adjustments have been shown to boost immune function dramatically)
- Proper Sleep (going to bed early and ensuring that you have a regular sleep pattern is crucial)
- Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, & Sugar (These chemicals either require a lot of resources for your body to metabolise, they interfere with metabolic function or are toxic to the nervous system – putting you in emergency mode)
- Light Exercise (Not a workout, just movement; two good walks a day and lots of regular movement)
- De-stress (give your body a relaxed nervous system, take time to rest; a good book beats TV for this)