Summer is over and it is the time of the year where we get back to our “normal” routine.

Kids go back to school, you start working even harder and essentially the party is over, for this year.

The days will become shorter and the nights will become longer. It is a good time to adopt some new healthy habits and be proactive about your health.

Over the last several weeks I have not been feeling 100 per cent. My nose is running, I am constantly coughing and my belly button is hurting.

At first I was not concerned about the pain, but now I am. Apparently, I have an umbilical hernia.

For me, this is a major event in my life.

I have never broken any bones in my body and or even have had any major illnesses.

But…this has made me realize that my health cannot be taken for granted.

Although an umbilical hernia is nothing serious, it still bothers me, because I have absolutely no idea how this happened.

I never thought that anything like this could happen to me.

I consider myself to be healthy.

I exercise, I eat healthy, I take a multi-vitamin, fish oil and get adjusted regularly.

What else could I have done to prevent this from happening? Maybe nothing. I probably had a congenital weakness in that area since I was a baby, and it finally herniated. I guess it was going to happen sometime.

If this could happen to me it could definitely happen to you. If you are taking your health for granted, there will be one day you will wish you took better care of yourself. Did you know that 50 per cent of the time, the first symptom of a heart attack is death? Sometimes it really can be too late.

Here is an analogy that I used in order to help my patients understand the importance of preventative (wellness/maintenance) health care.

What if I asked you to change your oil in your truck every five years, check the alignment every two years, the engine every three and never shut the truck off for 10 years?

You would probably think I was crazy. To you, these requests are ridiculous and virtually impossible.

Why? Because you know that if you don’t change your engine oil, get the engine/alignment check, etc…it would inevitably decrease the “life” expectancy of your truck.

Not only will your truck not last as long but you will constantly have problems during the life of the truck, making your whole driving experience less enjoyable. In the end you will have spent more money to fix the truck, it will not last as long, you have more problems (which translates into increased stress!) and all the while have a poorer ride!

Does this make sense? Hopefully a resounding “No” is the answer.

Would you ever do that to your truck? I hope not.

So, why is it hard for most people to understand that taking care of their bodies is even MORE important that taking care of their truck.

You can always get another truck, but unfortunately you have only one body.

If maintenance on your truck makes sense, taking care of your body should also make sense.

Your body is no different than your truck.

It needs maintenance (preventative/wellness care) to insure that it will last a lifetime.

When I see people who do not eat healthy, exercise, get adjusted and have regular check ups (eyes, teeth, physical)I try to educate them about being healthy. If you do not take care of yourself, you are essentially promoting disease and setting yourself up for poor health.

Then when you get sick or are in pain, you wonder how did this ever happen to you?

It was inevitable. If you do not take care of yourself, what else would you expect to happen?

You know what happens if you don’t take care of your truck, the same thing will happen to your body.

Be proactive about your health. Realize that you are the only one who can determine your health in the future. Until next month, take care and drive safely.

– Dr. Jerry Singh, B. Kin., D.C., runs Trans Canada Chiropractic at 230 Truck Stop in Woodstock, Ont. He can be reached at 1 888 252-7327, or e-mail singhjerry@hotmail.com.