Oh, the stories chiropractors hear on the Mondays of summer, as the refugees of over-ambition arrive for care, those who squeezed as much as possible into the all-too- brief summer weekends, often squeezing past the feedback of their bodies. "I did this, we did that, I had to do this, we couldn't pass up doing that, do you think that's why I feel like this now?," etc.

As we all are aware, subluxations can occur when the body/mind has received a stress beyond its ability to recover, be it physical, mental/emotional or chemical stress. Subluxations are an expression, an internal feedback where interference develops as a response to an experience in our environment, in our life.

Summertime has its own unique pulse and pace, and our lives reflect that. So, as we head into summer, let's explore subluxations that can occur as a response to this season -- topics to include allergies, gardening, air conditioning, sports and travel.

Many have become conditioned to expect that they'll have allergies during the summer, and their current resource on how to respond effectively is limited to the inescapable drug commercials on TV and in magazines. They are, in fact, missing a big opportunity to improve their health by recognizing what their bodies are asking for by producing allergy symptoms: better care of the immune system.

The immune system is designed to respond to allergens by manufacturing the appropriate amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE), and if there is interference and the body cannot properly respond, the result can be symptoms.

Suppression, depression or alteration of the immune system through products designed for this purpose offer limited and -- often negative -- short and long term effects.

In "The Chiropractic Textbook," Dr. Stephenson writes in Art. 192, that periodical and recurrent dis-ease, such as hay fever, "comes on at certain seasons because there is a chronic subluxation which does not offer inconvenience and does not interfere with transmission until the season comes when more adaptation is required." Simply put, all those whose immune systems express allergy symptoms can benefit from an introduction to chiropractic, a thorough chiropractic evaluation, and care.

Now, to "gardening spine." The art of gardening can include passion, obsession, Houdini-like contortions, the overloading of reluctant muscles, chemical assault, and oh, yes, peace.

Remember that subluxations result from stress that the body can not recover from. Wise (chiropractic) gardeners know to listen when their bodies plead for alternate positions, giving muscles a chance to recover. They know to replace chemicals that can alter their immune systems or hormone function. And, they know to stop and "smell the roses" while working in the garden to refresh their mind and emotions.

All living things benefit from regular care, so as you would check for weeds that can interfere with your garden, you'll want to be checked for spinal subluxations that can interfere with your life.

Air conditioning is something I never use. Yet, not everyone is lucky enough to have this choice. It's important to consider the stress load on the body's temperature control center.

As you move from unnaturally cold interiors to a hot exterior, the body receives confusing information as to what season it is. And, as I discussed in earlier columns, the majority of air pollution is indoors, in sealed buildings, impacting respiratory and immune systems for many. This environmental stress taxes the human response system, including the immune system, and basically the choice is boost or bust. Boost for me, through chiropractic.

Waterskiing, mountain biking, swimming, rafting, softball, baseball, etc. are all activities of summer that are enormous fun. But, they're a lot more fun if we are healthy.

One of the great benefits of chiropractic care, seen on an EMG evaluation, is the symmetry that develops as a body moves towards health and organization instead of the chaos and disorganization that are associated with subluxation. Symmetry and coordination in the body can make a big impact on performance, enjoyment and recovery in all sports, a benefit many Olympians who utilize chiropractic appreciate.

Travel is such a big summer activity, it'll be the sole topic of a future column.

While I've devoted this month to discussing a season, know that the WCA's commitment to promoting and protecting subluxation correction is seasonless and as an advocate for the World Chiropractic Alliance, I'm proud of the WCA's many accomplishments and look forward to continued success. I invite all who share a passion for chiropractic to include membership in the WCA as part of their professional commitment.

(Madeline Behrendt, D.C., vice-chair of the World Chiropractic Alliance Council on Women's Health, is author of "A Woman's Experience/A.W.E.," a practice manual offering a subluxation-based perspective on diverse aspects of women's health. Dr. Behrendt's articles have appeared in numerous print and electronic publications, and she has completed a research paper for the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research.)