Many years ago when I was at chiropractic school we had a visiting chiropractor who was giving us some useful anecdotes for us to take into the real world of clinical practice. I’d like to relate one of these stories to you as it is important and it could very well apply to YOU!
This is the story of the “Boiling Frog”, a widespread anecdote describing a frog slowly being boiled alive. The theory is that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.
This story is often used as a metaphor for the inability of people to react to significant changes that occur gradually.
So, how then does this relate to chiropractic and the people of Singapore?
Well, quite simple really. Every day we are subjected to harmful forces from outside. These are the physical, chemical and emotional stresses that gradually build up in our systems. Think of our worsening postures and those increasing aches and pains.
The body has a multitude of balancing systems that always return us to a state of balance – this is referred to as ‘homeostasis’. When these stresses exceed our ability to regain balance, we enter a state of dis-ease. Eventually our nervous system becomes compromised and we spiral into loss of health and an accelerating aging process. We see this everywhere. Gradually cells, tissues and organs become compromised due to poor nerve supply and death is hastened.
This all happens so gradually, so slowly that most don’t even see it coming……just like the boiled frogs!!
Take away message: “Don’t become a ‘Boiled Frog’! Keep an eye out for small changes that may be happening – they build up to something far more serious. Think about how you were a year ago. Are you feeling stiffer or suffering more pain? Are you less able to do the things you need or wish to do? If the answer is yes then then I strongly recommend you recognize it for what it is and make an appointment to come in and get checked.”