Combating Cognitive Decline: How Acupuncture Can Support Brain Health in Aging

Everyone ages. It's one of the main certainties of life, but it doesn't have to be a hardship. Properly caring for our bodies as we age can help prevent decay and the slowing of our system functions.

Many of us know that we must work out and eat properly to keep our bodies healthy, but we often overlook our minds. Brain health is one of the most essential parts of our body's well-being, which can suffer as we age.

This article will discuss the signs of cognitive decline and how acupuncture can help address the many causes and symptoms.

What is Brain Health?

The brain is still less understood than other aspects of our bodies. Unlike the heart, liver, kidney, and other organs, it's hard to identify what the brain does and how it accomplishes its many tasks. In some ancient cultures (such as ancient Egypt), embalmers did not include the brain in burial rites and were removed unceremoniously from the body.

However, these ancestors were entirely wrong in this assumption. Our brains still aren't well understood, but we know they regulate our behavior and are the source of our many thoughts and ideas. They help us navigate the world safely and are hardwired to protect us from the many things that can kill us.

Although experts still need to establish how the brain works and what makes a healthy brain. The general definition consists of the following signs of a fully functioning brain:

• Focus
• Clarity
• Positive sleep patterns
• Balanced emotions
• Keen memory
• Quick reflexes

Not every person is the same, and just because you're not as sharp or quick as others doesn't mean your brain's unhealthy. However, it could mean you have underlying stress factors or an emotional imbalance impacting your cognitive abilities.

The brain's not an independent entity floating around in your skull. It's an interactive organ that your emotional state can influence. If your hormonal levels are unbalanced or you're dealing with stress, it can give you brain fog and issues focusing. However, your brain can also slow down as you age, which we'll discuss in detail below.

How Can Age Impact Brain Health?

As we age, our organs start to slow down and lose their capability, and our brains are not excluded from this issue. While the causes of our brain's decreased capabilities are multifaceted, heart health and blood pressure are important factors. Brains need a steady supply of blood flow to work optimally.

If you suffer from a heart condition, blood pressure issues, or low oxygen in your blood, it can impede brain function. If anything restricts the blood supply to the brain, it can cause the brain to slow down and lose its cognitive abilities. Since many people's hearts lose potency as they age, so does the brain.

However, other triggers can also cause you to lose brain power as you age. These include stress, poor diet, improper sleep patterns, and injury. As you age, your body receives more damage, which can decrease its ability to function and work. These factors combined can make people seem slower and less cognitively aware as they age.

Signs of cognitive decline as you age include:

• Decreased reaction time
• Slowed reflexes
• Continence issues
• Depression
• Memory loss

How Do You Combat Symptoms of Cognitive Decline?

There are several ways to slow, prevent, and reverse cognitive decline as you age. While the precise method varies depending on your condition, most of the treatments we'll discuss will help regardless of the ailment. While conventional medicine can help, adding acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can help further alleviate your symptoms. Acupuncture is a treatment where a trained practitioner inserts thin needles into the skin at specific points. These points are known as meridians, vital energy storage and distribution centers. By inserting acupuncture needles into these spots, the therapist can balance and stimulate the flow of Chi (Qi) energy.

Chi is an essential source of vitality and power in traditional Chinese medicine. When the energy is blocked or flowing improperly, it can impact the rest of the mind and body. Medical research verifies many of the therapeutic and health benefits of acupuncture. Acupuncture doesn't just relieve pain and decrease inflammation, but it also helps improve blood flow. This aspect of acupuncture can significantly increase cognitive abilities and slow the effects of aging.

When combined with other therapy, such as meditation and herbal medicine, acupuncture can alleviate many symptoms of cognitive decline.

How Acupuncture Can Help Improve Your Brain Function As You Age

Acupuncture can significantly improve well-being and helps keep people sharp and active as they age. Stimulating Chi's energy and improving blood flow helps prevent cognitive decay and keeps people engaged and alert. However, acupuncture also helps lower stress and improve sleep patterns, greatly enhancing brain power and focus.

Adding acupuncture to your treatment can help you reclaim your brain and feel present in the moment. Although, not all therapists are the same, and you don't want a mediocre acupuncturist treating you.

Here at Fast Relief Acupuncture, John is fully trained with years of experience treating patients. You can trust that you'll receive the very best treatment. Contact John today to start your healing journey.