From time to time I will be working on someone and as usual, according to my analysis and technique system make contacts on the person’s pelvis, neck, or both and the patient immediately will point to a different area of their spine and say, “No, no doc, it hurts right here.” As if I needed to be reminded or didn’t know what I was doing!

In spite of the fact that we take plenty of time to explain why we do things the way we do them, and offer our patients complimentary workshops to help them get the most out of their care, this response is quite understandable given the traditional approach to health care in general and chiropractic specifically.

Most traditional chiropractors and health care providers focus on reducing the secondary condition, or symptom the patient is experiencing. Commonly these secondary conditions show up as muscle spasm, back pain, headaches, postural distortions, and a myriad of organic conditions. So, if your back hurts at L4, they treat you at that spot. Most doctors do a great job of this.

In our office, instead of focusing on each secondary condition, we focus on correcting a condition called Neural Resistance which often underlies many secondary issues. While pain and muscle spasms are usually specific to a particular spot, Neural Resistance is condition of the entire nervous system and therefore requires a non-local, systemic approach.

Imagine an unprotected and uninsulated water pipe in your home (in Canada). Winter arrives and the water in the pipe freezes and expands, increasing the pressure within the entire pipe. The result or secondary condition will be that the pipe will split in a specific place, causing a leak in your home. Treating the split and leak (a simple, and necessary step) is great, however if this is all you do you would expect the problem to reoccur and the damage to your home to continue.

This is the reason that simply treating secondary health conditions usually leads to relapses and eventually an overall worsening of health. Clearly, in the frozen pipe example the logical course of action would be to first warm the ice to decrease the overall pressure, and then take whatever measures necessary to insulate and protect the pipe so it does not continue to freeze.

Neural Resistance is like a frozen pipe with enough pressure built up that cracks are about to occur. Different people crack in different ways depending on their history and predispositions, just like different pipes will crack in different spots. When the pressure builds, some people will develop back pain, some will develop numbness in their limbs, others will have headaches. Because the nervous system also coordinates our organs a variety autonomic secondary conditions may result as well.

It is for this reason that when we look after the Neural Resistance present in a person’s body that not only the secondary condition they wanted help with improves, conditions they did not even know were related change also. When you look after what is underlying, a ripple effect occurs downstream.

Future articles will more specifically explore the mechanics of Neural Resistance and how it can result in different secondary conditions and symptoms. For now, know that the reason I don’t necessarily contact where it hurts is not that I don’t know or care. The reason is that we are playing a bigger game with the potential for a much bigger and sustainable impact on your health and life.

Why do you spend so much time, energy, money, worry and focus on being ‘fixed?’ Nothing can fix you.  NOTHING can fix you!

Nothing is going to make everything okay. The pain going away is not going to make everything okay. Losing the weight is not going to make everything okay. Falling in love with Mr./Mrs. Right is not going to make everything okay. Getting the dream job is not going to make everything okay. The wonder drug and miracle surgery are not going to make everything okay. Having 6-pack abs is not going to make everything okay. The latest technology, new fad treatment, and expert doctor are not going to make everything okay. Money, the nice car and dream home certainly will not make everything okay.

The reason you can’t be fixed is that you are NOT broken. What if the illusion that you are broken is what is driving your obsession with being fixed? What if this is your primary source of suffering?

Everything is already okay. Stop trying to ‘get fixed.’ Focus on what you want in your life. Focus on what is great, beautiful, abundant and loving already and I promise you will have even more of it. Life will become simple, fulfilling, empowering.

This article brings us to the end of our 8 part series on winning the game called your life. Is there any other game more worth winning? Winning your own game will not only provide you with a healthy, vital, rich and fulfilling life, but also allow you to inspire and contribute to everyone around you. Yes, winning the game of your life helps others win theirs.

In previous articles we outlined the 6 keys to winning the game of life. We also identified the 6 traps that most people fall into, robbing them of the ability to win the game. Finally, we learned the solutions to winning the game. These are the secrets that the small minority of the population winning the game of life use to get amazing results in the same 24 hours and environment we all have.

While simple, the fact is that I know it can still seem a bit overwhelming. Where should I start? I already feel so stressed, how could I add even more to my plate? This is where seeking help in the form of a coach, doctor, or professional can be the difference between bitter defeat and massive, sustainable victory. In this article I will provide some guidance for finding the right person or people to help you on your journey.

In seeking a professional to work with, a great start is that they are either a doctor or have a professional certification. This is not to say someone outside of regulated professions cannot provide benefit – it is just a bit harder to know for sure. A doctorate degree indicates a level of commitment and decision making ability that is crucial.

To win the game of life as we have defined it, it is essential to find a professional who is focused on wellness as opposed to fixing problems and symptoms. Restoring you to where you were is no longer good enough so be sure to find someone who can help you reorganize to a new level. It is a great idea to ask a potential coach what their highest vision for the care they are providing you is. For more information on Reorganizational Practices visit www.reorganizational.org.

Next, look for a professional who uses technology that can track your progress by monitoring several body systems. The nervous system impacts all body systems and is therefore important to measure. Posture is perhaps our most important structure and should be monitored over time.

It is valuable to look for a professional who is current and up to date on the latest research and techniques. A high quality website can be an excellent indication of this. I also personally seek out coaches and practitioners who are the best in their specific fields and train closely with the developers of the techniques they practice.

To win the game of life, you need to find a doctor or practitioner who will work WITH you, not just ON you. It must be a collaboration based on your specific goals. They should provide lectures, workshops and educational materials to support you over time.

Because the solutions to winning the game of life are Awareness, Behaviour and Structure, make sure the doctor works with and measures all three. This is essential to achieving sustainable, long term results.

Finally, once a detailed intake and assessment is completed (to determine your goals and establish your current baseline), you should be presented with several options to ensure you are in control. The choices should include both short and long-term options as well as predetermined re-evaluation intervals.

I hope you have found this series of articles beneficial and you are now inspired to take responsibility for winning the game of life. Now more than ever our communities and society need people to step up and start winning. Do it for yourself, but also do it for your family and loved ones.

If you need some help feel free to contact me, or attend any of our free workshops designed to teach you how to win the game of your life.

« Any person who contributes to prosperity must prosper in turn. »
E. Nightingale

The happiest and most successful people in any walk of life have certain traits in common. One of those traits is that they constantly learn new things. They study, they read, they listen to audio programs, they take courses, they attend seminars and they seek out the best teachers in the world. These successful people understand that regardless of what they have achieved in the past, stagnation (maintenance) equals death. They know that you are either growing or dying. This goes for business, relationships, fitness and health.

Only 2 Paths to Happiness

As I have written about many times in the past, human needs psychology tells us that only 2 things will provide us with true happiness and fulfillment – growth and contribution to others. The more we grow, the more we are able to contribute. Unfortunately, the “North American dream,” our culture has sold most people does not include either of these. A life of study hard, get a good job, marry the right partner, buy a house and car, maybe have some kids, and then sit back and enjoy the next 50 years of your life simply doesn’t deliver as promised, does it?

New Dream?

What if the real “North American dream,” was to live a life of never-ending learning, adventure, refinement and sharing? Would this guide your actions differently?

Many of you know that I have always been relatively fit and athletic. A few years ago my fitness regimen looked essentially the same as it had when I was in high-school. Same workouts, worse results and zero motivation. I was merely going through the motions. Had this continued can you see where this would have ultimately taken me?

You Need Coaches to Succeed.

Even though I thought I knew a lot about fitness I decided that I needed coaches. Over the next  2 years two amazing trainers – Tom Irvine and Tyler Touchette – helped me to completely change my path. Today, I have discovered the sport of Olympic weightlifting (more on that in future post) that I am learning more about and improving in every day. I study it, learn it, and practice it.

Most importantly, I am excited about my fitness again, can’t wait to get into the gym, and am getting results that will serve me for a lifetime.

Start Here!

How can you apply this to your life? How can you not only find success, but be happy, fulfilled and excited while doing it? There are many ways, so I created a list to help you get started.

1. Decide what is really important in your life. What areas of your life deserve the commitment to never-ending learning and refinement? Make a list.

2. Take on a new project. I took on Olympic weightlifting in the area of fitness. Perhaps a new professional course or a family project.

3. Refine, refine, refine! I constantly refine my chiropractic skills at seminars and workshops. What keeps you up at night wanting to get better at?

4. Get a coach or mentor. I have health, chiropractic, business, and fitness coaches. Remember, the best athletes in the world still have coaches.

5. Only use the services of those who are constantly learning. You can only lead if you are learning and you should demand that of your leaders. Ask your doctor, financial planner, accountant, consultant, coach, trainer, teacher, barber, chef, shoe shine boy what they are doing to improve their services. This will create a new culture of growth in your life (and maybe theirs).

Play a Better Game

If the “North American dream,” isn’t working for you, choose a new dream. Play a new game. Choose happiness, success, fulfillment and growth. When the old dog learns new tricks, it doesn’t get old!

« Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will. »
Mandela