Self-Care: The Triad of Health

By Dr. Zack Allen, ND

Dr. Zack Allen, ND

For our bodies to function seamlessly as a well-knit whole, we must tend to all structural, biochemical, and mental/emotional challenges. These three components make up the Triad of Health, represented as an equilateral triangle, with structure at the base, as the primary factor.

The goal is to attain and maintain balance, strength and resiliency in each of these three aspects. The key to holistic medicine is to assess and restore all the complex interactions among them, which cannot be attained by attending to just one area.

The human body is elegant and complex, yet simple principles maintain its form and function. The primary components that control and support the whole body are the nervous system and the digestive tract. The communication and regulation involving these two systems are essential for the mind and body to function seamlessly as a well-knit whole.

All the muscles, organs, glands and tissues of the body are innervated by the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and all the peripheral nerves. Caring for the spine and the nerves that control all aspects of the body is necessary for optimal health. When we take care of the spine, we are supporting the strength of the muscles, the ability to handle stress and proper functioning of all parts of the body.

Gut-health enthusiasts maintain that “the path to heaven is lined with good intestines.” This play on words is more than a clever pun, it is a profound truth. Those with a happy gut tend to live better, longer and more productive lives. The parasympathetic nervous system innervates the gut, which handles digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients, providing fuel and eliminating waste for the whole body. The nervous system and the gut are constantly communicating with each other, distributing energy and responding to our environment, thoughts, feelings, needs and desires.

Structural care includes the alignment of the spine and all the joints so that the nerves are supported to control the strength of all muscles equally. When joints are not properly aligned, pressure on nerves prevent their ability to provide strength to muscles, pain-free sensory function and regulatory control to organs and glands. The nervous system won’t allow us to use muscles with full strength when the joints aren’t properly aligned to do so, safely.

Biochemical care involves proper hydration, brain chemistry, hormone balance, nutrition and medication (when necessary) to modulate and manage symptoms and medical conditions. In Naturopathic Medicine, we aim to treat the cause, rather than micromanage biochemistry.

The mental/emotional component is often overlooked in medicine. Stressful, repetitive thoughts and PTSD are constantly impacting our brain chemistry and hormones and taxing the nerves. When a person is easily triggered, worried or upset, it literally causes them to get bent out of shape. Muscles weaken, glands over-produce stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, causing anxiety, fatigue, low testosterone levels and female hormone imbalances.

Tending to the Triad of Health means caring for our mind and body. This requires eating a diet that provides enough nutrients without toxins or excess sugar, which stress the system.

When we avoid mental stress, heal trauma, eliminate infections, sleep well, exercise regularly and stay hydrated, we are able to digest, absorb and assimilate our foods and detox our bodies in a relaxed and efficient manner.

Maintaining alignment of the physical frame allows our nerves to support a healthy body, to maximize longevity, joy and a fulfilling lifestyle. Addressing the impacts of stress and nutrition allows our bodies to maintain physical strength and alignment. When we tend to all three aspects that make up the Triad of Health, and the myriad ways that they interact, we can respond and recover more readily from injuries and imbalances.

Self-care is the primary strategy for maintaining the Triad of Health. When we need help or guidance, it is important to seek assistance that removes obstacles and corrects imbalances, which empowers us to maintain our own minds and bodies. Without health, we don’t have much. When we know how to care for ourselves, we are prepared, willing and able to support our families and to contribute thoughtfully and energetically to our Kaua‘i community. The ability to thrive comes from balance and communication between the spine and gut to restore and maintain the Triad of Health.

• Zack Allen, ND practices at the Natural Health Clinic in Līhu‘e and is currently available by appointment. Visit www.drzackallen.com for more information.