Boost Your Brain Power with Acupuncture
Having
difficulties focusing, remembering tasks or organizing your thoughts?
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help optimize your brain power
through a treatment approach that incorporates different modalities, including
nutritional support.
According to acupuncture and Oriental medicine the mind (Shen) embodies
consciousness, emotions and thought. Shen influences long term memory, the
ability to think clearly, contributes to wisdom and presides over
activities that involve mental and creative functions. When the mind is
healthy we are able to think clearly. When the mind is unhealthy or
unbalanced we experience confusion, poor memory, and clouded thinking.
Disharmony of the mind often manifests as anxiety, insomnia, muddled
thinking, forgetfulness and chronic restlessness. Meditation and
acupuncture, as well as physical exercises such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong and
the right foods, can balance and strengthen the mind.
Good nutrition can help boost your brain power. Not only is it essential to
overall physical health, it can also enhance the function and harmony of
the mind. The right foods enhance brain function by providing essential
nutrients such as flavonoids, Omega 3s, vitamins, folate and iron that are
great for improving the quality and quantity of learning capacity,
cognitive abilities, memory and overall brain function. You can enhance
your brain's health and function by including blueberries, fish, leafy
green vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains in your diet.
Acupuncture Improves Memory and Learning Capacity
Acupuncture can significantly improve learning and memory capacity that has
been impaired by hyperglycemia and cerebral ischemia, according to a 2003
study published in the October 2008 issue of Neuroscience Letters.
Researchers reported on whether electro-acupuncture (acupuncture needles
stimulated with a mild electrical current) could improve learning and
memory in rats whose memory and cognitive functions were impaired by the
decreased circulatory effects of diabetes resulting in cerebral ischemia.
In the study, the effects of the acupuncture treatments were measured with
a passive avoidance test, an active avoidance test, the Morris water maze
and electrophysiology. With all tests, significant improvements were seen
in restored memory and learning capacity. Researchers believe that the
positive results of this study indicate similar benefits for humans and
warrant further investigation.
Call today to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can optimize
your mental skills!
Tackle ADD and ADHD with Acupuncture
People with ADD or ADHD generally have trouble
concentrating and paying attention. Symptoms include difficulty following
directions and boredom or frustration with tasks. Those with ADD or ADHD
also tend to move constantly and can be impulsive, not stopping to think
before they act.
Behaviors typically associated with ADD and ADHD can interfere with the
ability to function at school, at work and at home. If you struggle with
attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD), you can include acupuncture as one of the treatment
methods that are beneficial in managing ADD and ADHD. Research indicates
that when treating ADD or ADHD, a multidisciplinary approach is most
effective; including behavioral therapy, exercise, dietary changes and
medication.
These behaviors are generally common in children, but they occur more
frequently and are more severe in those with ADD or ADHD. ADD or ADHD is
not exclusive to children. It continues as people age and, in some cases,
obvious symptoms do not manifest until later. As time passes, people
struggling with ADD or ADHD may have difficulty with time management,
organizational skills, goal setting, employment and may have problems with
relationships, self-esteem, and addiction.
Treatment for ADD and ADHD
Treatment for ADD or ADHD is best managed when families and academic and
health professionals work together to meet the unique needs of the person
with ADD or ADHD. Coordinated efforts can help them learn to focus their
attention, develop their personal strengths, minimize disruptive behavior,
and become more productive and successful.
Acupuncture is an excellent addition to any ADD or ADHD treatment plan, as
it is used to help the body restore balance, treating the root of the
disorder, while also diminishing the symptoms of ADD or ADHD. Acupuncture
can help improve focus and attention, reduce fidgeting, lower
hyperactivity, augment mood management techniques and enhance
concentration.
If you would like to learn more about how acupuncture can be
incorporated into your wellness plan for ADD or ADHD call for a
consultation today!
Increase Your Focus with Meditation
The word "meditation" comes from a Greek
word that means "to be mindful." The practice of meditation can
help you tame your mind and overcome anxieties, agitation, and habitual
thought patterns. The regular practice of meditation creates a continuing
sense of well-being, leaving us feeling confident and calm.
How to Meditate
Create a quiet, relaxing environment, with comforting items (candles,
incense, art that has a spiritual importance to you, etc.) around you.
Sit upright on a cushion with your legs folded, or in a chair with your
feet firmly planted on the ground, allowing for easy breathing. Relax your
shoulders and gently place your hands on your knees or in your lap.
Tuck your chin in slightly and keep your eyes half open, your gaze softly
focusing downward about four to six feet in front, and your mouth slightly
open.
Observe your breath. Try belly-breathing, not breathing with the chest, but
from the navel. Don't accentuate or alter the way you are breathing, just
let your attention rest on the flow of your breath.
The goal is to allow the "chattering" in your mind to gradually
fade away. If you are distracted by a thought, gently bring your mind back
to your breathing.
Continue to focus on your breathing for 10 or 15 minutes. Stay relaxed, yet
awake and attentive. Finding a balance there is not easy!
Eventually, as your body understands what you are doing, meditation will
become easier. Remember to be gentle and patient with yourself. Meditating
for even 5 or 10 minutes can have a powerful effect on your day.
www.bluecraneacpuncture.com
434-316-9101
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In This Issue
·
Boost Your
Brain Power with Acupuncture
·
Tackle ADD
and ADHD with Acupuncture
·
Increase
Your Focus with Meditation
·
Enhance
Your Learning Ability
·
Challenge
Your Brain
Enhance Your Learning Ability
Acupuncture can be
used to enhance your focus and learning ability.
A point often used for such treatments is Yintang, which is located between
the eyebrows and sometimes referred to as "the third eye."
The Chinese translation for the acupuncture point, Yintang, is "hall
of impression." A "hall" is defined as a corridor or
passageway, or the large entrance room of a house.
An "impression" is defined as a strong effect produced on the
intellect, emotions or conscience. Thus, Yintang is the entrance or
passageway to the mind.
Yintang is used to improve mental clarity, concentration and cognitive
function as well as soothe emotions and relieve stress, anxiety and
agitation.
Self-administered acupressure at the Yintang point can provide immediate
relief of symptoms.
For effective self-administered acupressure:
• Breathe Deeply
• Focus on the point as pressure is applied
• Pressure should be strong but not uncomfortable
• Begin when you first feel symptoms and continue until they subside
Meditation and Tai Chi can also help calm and focus the mind.
Challenge
Your Brain
Keep your mind active and challenged. Brain function
decreases with age. Studies show that cognitive exercise can improve blood
flow to the brain. Spend at least 15 minutes each day on a mental exercise
such as a crossword puzzle, journaling or learning a new language in order
to slow memory loss.
However you choose to exercise your brain, acupuncture can help. Numerous
studies suggest that acupuncture can help improve memory, mental clarity,
concentration and cognitive function.
One recently published study showed how acupuncture can be used to help
patients with vascular dementia. Cerebral functional imaging before and
after acupuncture treatments showed a significant increase in the cerebral
glucose metabolism of the brain which is associated with improved cognitive
function. Other studies have looked at how acupuncture affects the
performance of students taking an exam or those with Alzheimer's disease
and memory impairment induced by diabetes and cerebral ischemia. All
results, thus far, have been positive.
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