Just under 30 years ago, I donated one of my kidneys to my late sister. Whilst I was aware that people born with one kidney could lead normal healthy lives, I didn’t realise that my remaining kidney would enlarge to compensate.
Known as compensatory hypertrophy, the remaining kidney can increase in size, sometimes almost doubling, over several months. I was told donating a kidney would not affect my quality of life, and I have to say that at 56, that’s proven to be true.
Our brains are also remarkably adaptive, a concept known as neuroplasticity. For instance, if a person suffers an injury that impairs a certain brain function, over time, an entirely different part of the brain can step up and take over that function.
It’s one of the reasons stroke victims, for example, can regain speech and motor control.
In the face of adversity, our bodies have remarkable ways of adapting to ensure our survival. It’s another testament to the amazing resilience and flexibility of the human body.
However, just as our bodies can adapt in positive ways to serve us better, they can also adapt in ways that are not so beneficial when exposed to unhealthy habits or environments.
The “text neck” or “tech neck” phenomenon is a prime example. Constantly looking down at our phones or screens can lead to prolonged poor posture and stiffness, with the neck losing its natural curve and the shoulders hunching forward.
Take a moment now to look left and right. How does that feel? Restricted? Crunchy? Difficult?
This can lead to chronic pain, nerve problems, and even spine degeneration over time. It’s a powerful reminder that our bodies respond and adapt to the conditions we expose them to, underscoring the importance of mindful, healthy interventions such as stretching and massage.
Think of your body as a garden. Nurture and care for it.
Mark Alexander
Natural Balance Therapies