Sometimes the Body does Amazing Things

Siri is a wonderful 87 year old lady with low back and hip pain which makes it difficult to get up from a seated position. Siri was not very keen on my treating her, she was almost dragged in by her daughter. A main reason for her reluctance was that she had been examined by another chiropractor in the area, who had told her that her that there wasn't much he could do: her complaints were due to old age and that he did not want to treat due to high probability of osteoporosis. Siri was steadily loosing her energy and "spark", had difficulty getting up from a seated position and felt tired and depressed from steady pains and aches.  She had gradually retreated from activities and life in general, e.g. getting around by bus was increasingly difficult as she couldn't get up again once she had sat down, even less so in the bus. She had resigned herself to the fact that she was just "getting old", had no hope of feeling any better and that she just had to deal with it.

On the first day, getting up from a seated position was difficult and getting down and up from the table even harder, both her daughter and I had to help.
Two weeks and 5 treatments later, Siri stands up from a chair swiftly, without any hesitation or assistance.  She is able to lay on the table almost in one fluid motion, getting up requires a little more work, but no assistance.  She noted that she's got her taste for life back. One incidental observation is that her voice has gotten much stronger. It seems almost miraculous!
I can explain the improved mobility and strength by the improvement in function of the pelvis and low back.  With more natural mobility in the joints the muscles are automatically stronger.  Some improvement in muscle strength could be due to improved biomechanics of the low back.  We know from scientific studies that chronic pain will affect the neuro-chemistry of the brain and lead to depression. Obviously, being able to get rid of pain is going to make you feel better and have more energy to do other things.

Siri is enjoying her newfound energy, strength and mobility to its fullest. 
I have explained to Siri that I didn't actually do all of this, I only improved the functioning of her spine, her body did the rest by itself.  My biggest problem now is that Siri has friends, they have asked what "happend to her" - and they want me to do the same for them!

Infographic on the Effects of Soda

Exercise and Lifeexpectancy: The Swedes Definitely Got This Habit Right.

 The Swedes definitely got this habit right.
The Swedes are good at many sports, however, walking has to be the country's national sport.  Almost where-ever and where-ever you go, you will encounter people out on brisk walk.
A study (http://bit.ly/ZevIZU) by Steen Moore et al, published in the recent edition of PLOS medicine examines the effects of exercise on longevity.  Looking at over 650.000 individuals and their adjusted life expectancy, the authors found that those who did physical exercise equivalent to 75 minutes of brisk walking per week increased their life expectancy by 1.8 years, while those who met the WHO's recommended level of 150 minutes of exercise per week gained 3.4 to 4.5 years compared to their statistical, corrected life expectancy.
Interestingly, they also found also levels exercise had a greater effect on longevity than did body weight.  In other words: It is more important for your longevity to get your daily exercise than to be at your optimal weight.