Welcome to “The Royal Principles of Health,” written by Dr. Michael Dority and presented by Selene River Press. This fascinating series is based on the 33 principles of chiropractic identified by R.W. Stephenson, DC, PhC, in his 1927 classic Chiropractic Textbook. Dr. Dority calls these the “Royal Principles of Health” and invites you to learn how these foundational tenets illustrate the forces of universal intelligence that guide and determine our existence.
The Cycle of Life
Royal Principle #26 states: “In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.”
When we look at the bone structure of our “humus” body, we see the Cycle of Life fully arrayed in the magnificent order of creation. As we mature, how do we know when to stop growing? What is the genetic signal that makes us male or female, short or tall, straight-haired or curly-haired, and so on? The body knows when to replace a baby tooth with a permanent tooth. A fractured bone knows how to repair itself and when to stop the formation of callus. Bones know how to create blood cells in their marrow. They even know how to make cartilage, which forms into slippery movable structures we call joints. In an ongoing process called osteogenesis, bones are innately created and destroyed from the inside out.
Osteoblasts compose 4–6 percent of the bone cells in the human body. They are protein synthesizing cells that form osteoid in the bone matrix. Osteoid, defined as unmineralized bone tissue, is composed of—here it is again—a fibrous protein called collagen. The mineral hardening and stiffening components of osteoblasts are formed of hydroxyapatite (crystals of calcium and phosphate).
This innate microscopic process is called “autocrine signaling.” It only takes place in the cells of a living body under the control of a nervous system. Signals in the cell connect to receptors that regulate its growth factors. For example, if I have a fractured bone it will heal without me thinking about it. (I wonder how many monkeys Darwin had to study before he saw this process in action?)
Bone remodeling is a complex process of ordained steps. Osteoblasts form into new bone while osteoclasts reabsorb old bone. During this transition phase the old bone is replaced by new bone. Bone is alive and well, affecting many other processes and functions of the organs and systems in the body.
The cycle of bone life reveals the truth of Principle #26 from Dr Stephenson’s Chiropractic Textbook: “In order to carry on the universal cycle of life, Universal forces are destructive, and Innate forces constructive, as regards structural matter.”
How can we apply these truths in our life today?
According to current research in Clearing Up Your Mental Mess by Dr. Caroline Leaf, time is of essence. For us “humus” beings, it takes 12 weeks from conception to complete fetal development. Time is needed for change to occur. Dr. Leaf’s research suggests that a balance of thought patterns (feelings and contemplation) develops between both sides of the brain after 21 days.
Developments of new thought patterns are “embraced, processed, and reconceptualized” into long-term memory. By day 63, these thought patterns are finely balanced between the two hemispheres, which “indicates coherence and a balanced brain.” Once a thought establishes itself in our conscience mind, we can utilize it day by day as a conditioned action.
In the preface to her 1920 textbook Anatomy (fourth edition), Mabel H. Palmer (Professor of Anatomy in The Palmer School of Chiropractic) states:
“This book is offered…with the hope of promoting among Chiropractors a better knowledge of the human body, which has been called the ‘temple of God.’
“Knowledge is the birthright of every being and knowledge of no other subject is more useful than that of the human organization—the brain guided by the Universal Intelligence which governs it…whether he is a spirit or matter, or both; but we do know he has a body which is constructed on strictly mechanical principles, and controlled by an All Wise Intelligence.” [emphasis mine]
In her chapter on the nervous system, she writes:
“Nerve centers, said to be 63 to 83 in number, are described as being collections of nerve cells to which external impressions [physical, mental-emotional, biochemical] are carried, and from whence impressions [responses] or reflexes [symptoms] are sent out.”
Everything we do begins with a thought. To change anything in our lives—habits, thoughts, works, words, our dress, our posture, our spinal subluxations, our diet, our practice, our relationships—we first have to change the way we think. Knowledge is our birthright, and it can lead us to a better tomorrow. Think upon those things that are good and right. Let us explore and study the causes of health for 63 days and beyond—to infinity—for lasting impact. We are made to carry on the universal Cycle of Life in our “humus” body.
We are able to balance both the destructive and constructive forces in our structural, biochemical, emotional body, just as Dr. Mabel Palmer proclaimed in 1920. By learning these principles and teaching them to others both the doctor and the patient can become confident that truth will win.
Are we thinking about the boney skeletal structure of our patients? Are we thinking about our own structure? We should be. Structure affects function, and function is an expression of our health. Is your body a sand castle? Or is it a magnificent mansion made of stone? Are you the architect of your body, or do you simply follow mandates and treat your symptoms? Strong bones require structural components to protect the brain and spinal cord as well as promote fluid motion.
As Dr. Mabel stated in 1920, our body is “constructed on strictly mechanical principles.” We need to shout this from the rooftops!
Remember, the structural laws of mechanical principles support the body, both through and by our bones. Bone is made by osteoblasts—cells that compose a whopping 4–6 percent of our total bone cell mass. These little cells need all the help we can give them, and in return they keep us strong. Build your skeletal and bone morrow strength with Standard Process:
- Calcifood (6/day)
- Cal-Ma Plus (3/day)
- Biost (3/day)
Incorporate chiropractic spinal adjustments, Standard Process whole food supplements, Neuro-Emotional Technique (NET) and the Heart Sound Recorder into your life and the lives of your patients. This will promote harmonic balance between the destructive and constructive forces in the body, bringing into us a limitless ability to express LIFE.
Some things to think about:
- Put yourself in the storyline—the old stories are also your stories, a cycle of Life.
- Our stories, though many, are one, and wisdom is the thread, a cycle of Life.
- What is not understood is persecuted, a cycle of Life.
“Up! Up there soldier. You’re needed, come.”
—Sybil Ludington, 16-years old, who rallied troops to battle during her 40-mile night ride through the Hudson Valley as the British army advanced
Images from iStock/Sensvector (main), VectorMine (bone remodeling). Image of Mabel H. Palmer 2nd page of her Anatomy textbook, 1st edition 1918.
