ACUPUNCTURE AND alzheimer’s Disease

More and more studies are being conducted to investigate the potential of acupuncture as a complementary therapy for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. At Jackupuncture, we do not diagnose dementia or any form of Alzheimer’s disease, but we do use several tools, including WAVi EEG, to track patients’ brain health and performance. Our PeakMIND services can help maintain higher levels of cognition, slowing the progression of cognitive decline. The patients we’ve helped with previous diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and dementia have shown significant improvements in neurocognitive tests and EEG scans, including the reconnection of neurons whose loss of connection is associated with Alzheimer’s. 

Our approach in acupuncture for Alzheimer’s disease involves adjusting our PeakMIND treatment, applying a specific combination of sound and electrical stimulation that has been shown to reduce amyloid plaque and improve cognitive function. Our patients also receive a particular form of infrared therapy that has been shown to reduce amyloid plaque. These specific adjustments make PeakMIND an effective multi-modal approach for maintaining cognitive function for individuals with mild cognitive impairment, as well as Alzheimer’s disease.

 Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs memory, thinking skills, and the ability to perform even basic tasks. Typically, symptoms of the late-onset type of Alzheimer’s tend to manifest in individuals who are in their mid-60s or older. However, early-onset Alzheimer’s, which is relatively rare, can occur between a person’s 30s and mid-60s.

As the most common cause of dementia among older adults, Alzheimer’s disease poses significant challenges to cognitive health and daily functioning. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, seek proper medical evaluation and care, and adopt strategies to manage the condition effectively. Early detection and intervention can play a crucial role in managing Alzheimer’s disease and improving the quality of life for affected individuals and their caregivers.

Two major hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease in brain tissue are the presence of abnormal clumps known as amyloid plaques and tangled bundles of fibers called neurofibrillary tangles. In addition to these plaques and tangles, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the loss of connections between nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Neurons play a crucial role in transmitting messages between different regions of the brain and to various muscles and organs in the body. Other complex changes in the brain are also believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Symptoms

The initial damage in Alzheimer’s disease tends to occur in areas of the brain associated with memory, such as the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. Over time, it can also affect other regions of the cerebral cortex responsible for language, reasoning, social behavior, and more. Ultimately, multiple areas of the brain can be impacted by the progressive damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Along with the normal physical changes we experience as we age, there will be some memory changes, as well. These changes may manifest as occasionally misplacing car keys, struggling to find a word but recalling it later, forgetting the name of an acquaintance, or forgetting recent events. Alzheimer’s has triggered depression for some people, as they notice their cognitive decline.

However, knowledge and experiences accumulated over years, old memories, and language skills typically remain intact during normal aging. It’s common for older adults to retain their cognitive abilities and maintain their mental faculties despite these minor memory changes.

Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s patients can be a powerful complementary therapy to enhance cognitive function and slow down the above symptoms of cognitive decline.