Geoff Alley D.C - Chiropractor/Health and Wellness Coach

26/08/2025

THE ONLY BIRD THAT DARES TO ATTACK AN EAGLE IS A CROW, BUT THE EAGLE NEVER FIGHTS BACK. HERE IS WHY:
1. The crow is the only bird bold enough to sit on the eagle’s back and peck at its neck.
Relentless. Annoying.
But the eagle... stays calm.
2. The eagle doesn’t flap. Doesn’t fight. Doesn’t waste energy. It does one thing: It rises.
3. The higher the eagle soars. The thinner the air becomes. The crow? It can’t handle the altitude.
4. Eventually, the crow gasps. Loses strength...And falls off.Not because the eagle attacked
But because the eagle ascended.
5. Let the crows talk. Let them peck. You don’t have to respond. Just keep going higher.
6. They can’t follow you forever. Your growth will suffocate their noise. So don’t engage. Elevate.

19/08/2025

*Credit to Dr Howard Luks off LinkedIn.

I’ve Been a Surgeon for 25 Years—Here’s What I Wish They Told Me in Medical School

Medical school taught me anatomy, physiology, and pathology. It taught me how to memorize, how to endure, and how to work longer hours than most people thought possible.
What it didn’t teach me was how to practice medicine with a full view of the human experience—mine included.

Here’s what I wish I had known from the start:

1. You’re not just treating anatomy—you're treating a person.
The MRI is not the patient. The labs aren’t the story. People bring fears, histories, habits, and hopes into every visit. Learn to listen—not just diagnose.

2. Health is more than disease management.
We were trained to treat disease, not to foster health. But so much of what patients need isn't found in a prescription pad—it’s in their daily habits: how they move, eat, sleep, and connect.

3. You can't outrun burnout with productivity.
Medicine rewards stamina. But 80-hour weeks and constant pressure come at a cost. I learned the hard way that rest, boundaries, and life outside of medicine aren’t indulgences—they’re necessary for longevity in this field.

4. The best medicine is often "time," not a scalpel.
When you’re trained to operate, everything looks like a surgical problem. But many of the best outcomes I’ve seen came from patience, movement, and education—not the OR.

5. The system is broken. You have to decide if you’ll break with it.
You’ll face pressures to treat charts, hit RVUs, and please insurers. But your real job is to be an advocate for your patients—and for your integrity. That may mean saying no to bad incentives.

6. Never stop learning—but know what’s worth learning.
You’ll never be done training. But the most valuable lessons won’t always come from journals—they’ll come from patients, from mistakes, and from stepping back far enough to see the bigger picture.

7. Who you are matters as much as what you know.
Clinical skill matters. But so does humility. So does presence. So does being the kind of doctor your patient wants to talk to—especially when they’re scared, in pain, or overwhelmed.

I’ve spent decades refining surgical technique, but the real mastery came from learning how to be a better human in the room. We need to teach that just as seriously as we teach how to suture.

18/08/2025

Get on in and take advantage of this months awesome special.
Your health has never been more important ❤️

14/08/2025

The view my patients see when they’ve assumed the position 😬 It truly is a great day every day and you, yes YOU are awesome 🔥❤️

10/08/2025

Shocking but not surprising. So, what needs to change? 🤔
We are what we eat.

10/08/2025

Waikato #873 NZ7s #49 and yesterday I finally picked up my numbered coin for North Harbour #68.

A very proud day for me. Such a cool time with old footy mates. I didn’t play the Old Boys game this year. I reckon at 58 I’ve done my time 😜 I made a good water boy though.

I was presented my coin by Super Rugby player Cameron Suafoa who is currently battling Sarcoma. We wore shirts in support for him. The brotherhood is strong in Rugby. It’s truly a great game and the camaraderie is something you can’t explain.

When you know, you know.

I often feel I never achieved as much as I would have liked in footy. I could have trained harder and smarter and I maybe enjoyed the post match beers a little too much. 🤦‍♂️🤣 I relied heavily on my natural talent. I am the “Only If” man that I’ve talked about often to young fellahs I’ve coached. But as I’ve aged I’ve learnt to appreciate what I did achieve and become more at peace about my past, as that has shaped me in to who I am today. Im not beating myself up as much now days.

“Experience is the best teacher. It gives us the test first, and the lesson later.”

Huge thanks to every single legend I played alongside in every team in every grade. And to every coach, manager, trainer and medical staff thank you too from the bottom of my heart ❤️❤️

Cheers to Rugby Union and lifelong mates from the great game🍻

08/08/2025

🧠 "Your body isn’t stupid, it’s smart. It was born to be healthy." — Dr Sarah Farrant

Modern life is unnaturally stressful. Are you protecting your “lifeline”?

🎥 Watch here: https://rcr.media/episodes/drs-sarah-randall-farrant-co-founders-of-vital-wellbeing-0-18-years-with-no-medications-is-it-possible

🔥🔥

31/07/2025

Fasting progresses through distinct stages, each marked by changes in energy sources and metabolic processes.

Below, I’ll outline the stages of fasting, explain how autophagy functions at 18, 24, and 36 hours, and summarize the overall health benefits, keeping the response concise yet comprehensive.

Stages of Fasting.

Fasting stages are defined by how the body adapts to the absence of food intake, shifting from glucose to fat and ketone-based energy. The timeline can vary slightly between individuals due to factors like metabolism, activity level, and pre-fast nutrition.

1. Fed State (0–4 hours after eating)
• Energy Source: Glucose from recent meals.
• Process: Insulin levels are high, promoting glucose uptake and storage as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
• Key Features: Digestion and nutrient absorption dominate. No significant fasting benefits yet.

2. Post-Absorptive State (4–12 hours)
• Energy Source: Glycogen stores in the liver.
• Process: Glycogenolysis breaks down glycogen into glucose to maintain blood sugar levels. Insulin levels begin to drop.
• Key Features: The body transitions from external food to stored energy. Hunger hormones like ghrelin may increase.

3. Gluconeogenesis (12–18 hours)
• Energy Source: Glycogen depletes; the liver starts producing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources (e.g., amino acids, glycerol).
• Process: Glucagon rises, stimulating gluconeogenesis. Fat breakdown (lipolysis) begins, releasing fatty acids.
• Key Features: Early signs of metabolic shift toward fat utilization. Mild ketosis may start in some individuals.

4. Ketosis (18–48 hours)
• Energy Source: Fatty acids and ketones.
• Process: Lipolysis increases, and the liver converts fatty acids into ketone bodies (e.g., beta-hydroxybutyrate). Ketones become a primary energy source for the brain and other tissues.
• Key Features: Appetite often decreases due to ketone production. Autophagy begins to ramp up.

5. Protein Conservation (48+ hours)
• Energy Source: Primarily ketones, with minimal protein breakdown.
• Process: The body spares muscle by reducing gluconeogenesis from amino acids. Growth hormone and norepinephrine rise to preserve lean tissue and maintain metabolism.

• Key Features: Deep ketosis, enhanced autophagy, and increased fat burning. Prolonged fasting beyond 72 hours may stress the body, so medical supervision is advised.

Autophagy During Fasting

Autophagy is the body’s cellular recycling process, where damaged or dysfunctional cell components (e.g., proteins, organelles) are broken down and reused. It’s triggered by nutrient deprivation, low insulin, and increased glucagon/AMPK signaling. The extent of autophagy depends on fasting duration, baseline health, and individual factors.

• 18 Hours
• Autophagy Level: Early activation.
• Mechanism: Nutrient stress signals mTOR inhibition, activating autophagy-related genes (e.g., LC3, Beclin-1). Lysosomes begin degrading damaged organelles and misfolded proteins.
• Effects: Minimal but detectable autophagy, primarily in metabolically active tissues like the liver. Cellular cleanup starts, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

• 24 Hours
• Autophagy Level: Moderate increase.
• Mechanism: Sustained mTOR suppression and AMPK activation enhance autophagosome formation. More cells engage in autophagy, particularly in fat and muscle tissue.
• Effects: Improved mitochondrial function and clearance of cellular debris. May support reduced inflammation and better insulin sensitivity.

• 36 Hours
• Autophagy Level: Significant upregulation.
• Mechanism: Deep ketosis and prolonged nutrient deprivation amplify autophagy. The process extends to brain and immune cells, enhancing systemic cleanup.
• Effects: Stronger cellular repair, potential clearance of abnormal proteins (e.g., amyloid plaques), and enhanced immune function. Benefits are more pronounced but vary by individual.

Note: Autophagy is hard to quantify in humans without invasive tests. Most evidence comes from animal studies or indirect markers (e.g., ketone levels, LC3-II expression). Exact timelines and intensity vary.

Overall Health Benefits of Fasting.

Fasting, particularly intermittent or extended fasting (16–48 hours), offers several evidence-based benefits when done safely:

1. Metabolic Health
• Improved Insulin Sensitivity: Lower insulin levels reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Fat Loss: Enhanced lipolysis promotes weight loss, particularly visceral fat.
• Ketone Production: Ketones provide efficient energy and may protect against metabolic disorders.

2. Cellular Health
• Autophagy: Clears damaged cells, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s) and cancer.
• Reduced Oxidative Stress: Less free radical damage due to improved mitochondrial efficiency.

3. Cardiovascular Health
• Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: Fasting reduces triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in some studies.
• Inflammation Reduction: Decreased inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP) support heart health.

4. Brain Health
• Neuroprotection: Ketones and autophagy may protect neurons, potentially lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
• Cognitive Benefits: Enhanced focus and mental clarity due to ketone use and reduced insulin spikes.

5. Longevity
• Potential Lifespan Extension: Animal studies suggest autophagy and caloric restriction mimic longevity pathways (e.g., sirtuins). Human data is less conclusive but promising.
• Immune System Reset: Prolonged fasting (48–72 hours) may trigger stem cell regeneration of immune cells.

6. Other Benefits
• Appetite Regulation: Fasting recalibrates hunger hormones, reducing overeating tendencies.
• Gut Health: Resting the digestive system may improve gut microbiome diversity.

Considerations and Cautions.

• Individual Variation: Benefits depend on age, health status, and fasting protocol. Women may respond differently due to hormonal fluctuations.

• Risks: Prolonged fasting (>48 hours) can lead to nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, or electrolyte imbalances if not monitored.

• Medical Supervision: Consult a doctor before fasting, especially for those with diabetes, pregnancy, or chronic conditions.

• Hydration: Stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) during extended fasts

Summary:

Fasting progresses from glucose reliance to glycogen breakdown, gluconeogenesis, and ketosis, with autophagy kicking in significantly around 18–36 hours. Benefits include improved metabolic health, cellular repair, cardiovascular function, and potential longevity. Always approach fasting with caution and personalization, especially for extended periods.

08/07/2025

“Chiropractic adjustments work by providing negative pressure in the area around the spinal discs, allowing the vertebrae to relax and lengthen. Your intervertebral disc height decreases when your compressed spine causes the fluid inside a disc to leak. By decompressing your intervertebral discs, chiropractic adjustments reduce pressure on your discs, allowing them to relax to a more normal state and improve the integrity of the disc.”

Have you ever walked out of a chiropractic appointment feeling like you’re standing straighter and somehow taller? That sensation isn’t just in your head – there’s actually a reason behind why many patients experience this immediate change after spinal adjustments.

03/07/2025

“We’re often told that weight is the problem. That if you just lose the kilos, you’ll be healthy, happy, and finally “on track.”

With the arrival of Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) in New Zealand this week, many are hoping for a simple solution.

But here’s the reality: weight is not the root cause — it’s a symptom. And treating symptoms without addressing the system beneath them is never the whole story.”

Ozempic is here. But is it the full story? Weight loss medications can help—but they don’t fix the system beneath the symptom. If you’re considering Ozempic, understand what it can and can’t do. Discover the deeper drivers of stubborn weight—hormones, inflammation, metabolism—and what yo...