Dictionary.com defines Homeostasis as:
The tendency of a system, especially the physiological system of higher animals, to maintain internal stability, owing to the coordinated response of its parts to any situation or stimulus that would tend to disturb its normal condition or function.
Our bodies are simply amazing. Beyond our awareness, one moment to the next, “all the parts” do their thing. They don’t think about it. They instinctively know and work as a whole toward the common goal of maintaining this grand machine.
But we also know life doesn’t always play out perfect.
Some folks are born with “issues” – and some have them arise during the course of their journey – either of which can challenge the “normal” functioning of bodily systems.
Then there’s that wonderful process called “aging.” It’s part of the deal. All things new eventually fade.
And finally, there’s an aspect that is most often under our control. Consciously or not, we often introduce our bodies to “situations and stimuli that … tend to disturb its normal condition or function.”
Through it all, the body continues its yeoman work, making adjustments as able, continually seeking the perfection of the original design.
But early on, humankind recognized that we could assist and we have done so in spectacular fashion. Across cultures, various, often complex, systems arose. Ayurvedic medicine – Yoga – TCM – Western medicine – with myriad complementary forms springing from and through them. A few examples of the latter being: Acupuncture – Chiropractic – Homeopathy – Meditation – Massage - Tai Chi – and yes, Reflexology!