The human body is adaptive, not fragile. This distinction is important because much of what we are taught about health assumes the body is constantly under attack, vulnerable, and in need of intervention and support. Yet when we step back and observe nature, a different picture appears – life is able to survive and thrive because it adapts.
Our body is like a seed planted with a rock placed on top of it… it adapts to its environment by twisting and turning (moving in a new direction) so that it still reaches the light enabling it to grow. This ability to adapt is perhaps the most important characteristic of every living organism.
Our biology is not fixed and contrary to many beliefs, our genes do not determine our destiny. Rather our perceptions of our environment influence our biology, alter our physiology and provide signs and symptoms when adaptation is challenged. In simple terms, we are constantly responding to the perceived world around us. Every thought, every experience, every challenge, and every choice provides information that the body uses to adapt.
This adaptation is a hallmark of our body’s ‘innate intelligence’.
BJ Palmer, known to many as the Developer of Chiropractic, wrote extensively on, and often spoke about, the innate intelligence within the body. In fact, his father, DD Palmer, the Founder of Chiropractic, coined the term “Innate Intelligence”. Both believed there was a wisdom that coordinated every function, every process, and every adaptation necessary for life. From the beating of the heart to the healing of a wound, the body is constantly working to adapt and maintain balance within.
We see this adaptation everywhere, don’t we? When you exercise, your muscles adapt. When you learn a new skill, your brain adapts. When you move to a colder or warmer climate, your body adapts. When you face challenges in life, your perceptions, behaviours, and physiology adapt. Your body is not static, it is dynamic. It is designed to respond to input. Just as a muscle that is never used becomes weaker and atrophies, the reverse is also true.
Yet many people spend their lives trying to avoid challenge and instead search for comfort. The irony is that adaptation occurs when we are challenged. All growth occurs at the border of chaos and order. That border is the sweet spot, where challenge stretches us enough to develop new capacities.
Health follows the same principle.
The goal is not to eliminate every stressor from life; let’s face it, that’s not going to happen. The goal is to become adaptable in the presence of stressors and challenges. This is where many people become confused. They assume health means not having signs and symptoms, never feeling tired, never experiencing discomfort, and never facing adversity. And yet discomfort is often the very mechanism through which adaptation occurs.
Let’s look at exercise. The temporary stress placed on the body during movement stimulates adaptation. Given adequate recovery, the body becomes stronger.
What about learning? The temporary frustration of not knowing stimulates new neural connections. Given time, understanding emerges.
Adaptation then is not the absence of challenge; it’s the response to challenge.
We have spoken at length about the impact of stressors such as thoughts, trauma, and toxins, or said another way, physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. All three impact our nerve system, influencing how we function and respond to life. You are a self-healing, self-regulating, self-regenerating, and self-maintaining organism that is constantly adapting to life. And that adaptation to life occurs via and due to your nerve system. So, making sure your nerve system is “attuned” to your environment is paramount to your ability to adapt.
This is why foundational health habits are so important.
- Regular chiropractic adjustments keep your nerve system clear of interference.
- Sleep allows repair and recovery.
- Movement stimulates growth.
- Sunlight provides environmental information.
- Minerals and Magnesium support cellular function.
- Camu Camu (Vitamin C) contributes to collagen formation for your skin, gums, teeth, cartilage and bones.
- Meaningful relationships create emotional stability.
- Purpose and meaning provide inspiration for change and to move forward with life.
These are not health trends, they are habits that support adaptation. The modern health conversation often focuses on biohacking and finding the next breakthrough. Yet the greatest breakthrough may be remembering what your body has always known – you adapt to your circumstances, and your nerve system sits at the centre of that adaptation.
Your health is not a destination where challenges disappear. Far from it. Health is the ongoing ability to respond, recover, grow, and evolve through life’s challenges. Perhaps the true measure of health is not how little stress we experience, but how effectively our nerve system adapts to it. Because the adaptive human is not the one who avoids life’s challenges. The adaptive human is the one who is able to change because of them.
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