Reader Question: How Does "Fighting Gravity" Impact My Health?

by: Manny Aragon

Question from a listener of my recent Adrenal Summit interview: “I would have never thought of what Manny described as fighting gravity as an issue for my health. Can you expand on this in any way?”

On its surface, this question appears to be an inquiry about the role that gravity plays on ones health. And this is a very good question to ask yourself because it is not a question that many people ponder. But the effects of gravity are very real and they are affecting our bodies and thereby having an effect on the status of our wellbeing.

Every moment of our lives, from the moment we are born, until the moment we die, gravity is acting on us- pulling us towards the center of the earth. This is a constant, unvarying, unmovable force pulling us toward the ground but not into the ground. This is because the ground is effectively pushing back against us, against the force of gravity. The pull of gravity and the push of the earth are of equal force but not of equal action.

The force of gravity pulls toward the earth, all objects, in all mediums; air, water, our bodies, etc. The force of the earths opposing vector pushes against all mediums as well BUT only those that are in contact with it. Gravity does not require contact. This is an important distinction because while gravity can pull toward the earth and effectively does 24/7, the earth is only able to transmit its opposing force through objects to the degree that they are aligned structurally and able to transmit the force.

Where a body, for example, is aligned – the feet for example- with the force of gravity, the earths opposing force is transmitted through the feet, effectively minimizing the energy expenditure of the body of holding the feet up. Go a little higher up- say a couple of joints up to the hip- and the inevitable mis alignment of the foot, lower leg, and upper leg segments almost guarantees that not all of the force has been transmitted through the leg structure- instead- some has continued to be projected- but outside of the body- a place where it cannot help to support the structure.

All of the energy we expend supporting our structure in gravity- effectively “fighting” gravity’s downward pull- is energy that we have spent (or squandered as some might say..) not on our health and well being but on a force that will result in no tangible benefit. The ROI for this expenditure is low, extremely low. The predictable result of wasted energy (24/7 remember?) literally keeps our body from reaching its fullest healing potential.

Remember also that the body is breaking down and healing itself on a daily basis. This means it is using energy to do this. As we age, we become less efficient at healing, at using our energy. The more is wasted, the faster our vitality is sapped. On a discrete level, this can mean the difference between someone who is able to quickly go from a stage II or III adrenal insufficiency back to normal and one who requires a longer time and more assistance.

This is likely why, when folks go through a basic series of Structural Integration (which aligns the body in the gravitational field), they experience a surge in well being, vitality, health, healing, confidence, happiness, and so on. It is no coincidence. This is the calculus of having a more efficient body structure and therefore more available energy. This is the focus of Structural Integration.