Our Body the Fortress

Back in medieval times, the castle served many purposes. Not only did it house the royal family, but it served as a focal point for the people. Healthy aging is similar to the effort required to protect the castle and its inhabitants. And treating our body as we would a fortress helps to make better choices every day.

So what role did the castle play for the people who lived during this time period? Besides providing a sanctuary for the king and queen, nobles resided there as well. The king held court with his trusted advisors and met with dignitaries from other countries. For the common people the exchange of goods took place inside its walls, people shopped for food and supplies, there was entertainment with music and acting, plus it offered protection from invaders. The castle was surrounded by high walls and a moat. Entering the castle meant going through the open drawbridge. The castle was a fortress but also the hub of daily life.

Our body is also that hub of life. It is also a fortress that is to be protected from invasion, but the enemy is disease and chronic conditions. If a castle is not properly maintained and protected, inevitably invaders will gain entry. It may not be through the drawbridge either. Holes in the walls of the fortress allow entry as do unprotected walls and passageways. Undesirables are merely biding their time, waiting for a lax in security to make their move and enter unnoticed.

Choosing to look at our body in the same way as a fortress is enlightening. Germs, bacteria and viruses are those undesirables biding their time, looking for an opportunity to invade. It is up to us to create those barriers, plus give our body the daily maintenance it needs to stay well. It allows us to be on the offense rather than the defense. One or two preventative measures can save us the trouble of recovering from illness which affects our family, work, and social life. But there is another side to this. One that doesn’t mean picking up a bug and recovering after a few days.

Subjecting our body to a daily barrage of arsenal, from:

• eating a poor diet
• lack of physical activity
• insufficient sleep
• smoking
• excessive alcohol consumption
• extra body fat

Over time, this lifestyle erodes the natural protection our body has. Similar to a castle in the midst of battle. With each round of attack, the walls surrounding the castle become damaged. How long can the castle defenses withstand the impact? How long can our body withstand the impact of a damaging lifestyle? Fortunately, there are signs of deterioration, alerting us to a potential of a larger problem. It could be weight gain, chronic exhaustion, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. This is our body’s means of communicating that there is a war going on inside of us and the walls of protection are deteriorating.

Protect the only fortress you have. Take the extra steps of preventative care to ensure your quality of life, because healthy aging is not a guarantee for any of us. Chiropractic care is an effective way to remain on the offense to keep those invaders at bay. Stay vigilante and align yourself with those who will help to keep you well.