The Human Body: More Than Just an Object

People often compare the human body to objects like vehicles or machines. While it’s tempting to think of the body this way, there’s a big difference between living organisms and inanimate objects.

An inanimate object—like a car, bicycle, or computer—will break down or wear out when exposed to stress, use, or time. These objects don’t push back or try to adapt. When a car’s tire is worn down, the tire wears out until it needs replacement. There is no internal force within the car trying to resist that damage.

The human body, however, is an animate object—a living system that reacts to stress by adapting and often becoming stronger. It has reactionary forces within, allowing it to resist or compensate for challenges, pain, or strain.

For example, a weightlifter develops calluses on their hands over time. This is the skin’s adaptive response to repeated stress—a protective reinforcement, showing how living tissue can respond positively to pressure. Likewise, muscles grow stronger under repeated use, bones become denser with loading, and the nervous system adapts to support new physical demands.

This adaptability is mediated by complex systems like the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. When confronted with stress, hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released, triggering the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. Blood flow increases to muscles, alertness sharpens, and energy mobilizes—all preparing the body to face challenges. Over time, with proper care and balance, this system helps build resilience rather than breakdown.

This capacity to respond and adapt to stress is a crucial concept in health and chiropractic care. When the nervous system is working well and spine alignment is maintained, the body’s natural reactionary forces become more effective, helping it heal and strengthen from within.

Unlike inanimate objects that simply break down, your body has incredible potential to grow stronger with proper care and stress management.

At Hazeldean Family Chiropractic, we focus on supporting your body’s innate intelligence to optimize these natural reactionary forces. Our goal is to help you build resilience, reduce pain, and improve overall function—not just fix symptoms but help your whole body thrive.