People worldwide are living longer, more productive lives than at any other time in history. Growing older is no longer messy, downhill slide to obscurity and discomfort but now a gentle, modulated experience, with the help of modern medicine and improvements in self-care. As such, seniors can and should expect to be active and vital for their full measure of days rather than relegated to the sidelines. One way to maintain that wellness as we move into and through the senior years is by adding acupuncture to our self-care practice.
Here are the top five ways acupuncture benefits seniors!
Five - Reduces the need for prescriptions
Getting older isn't for the faint of heart. The reality is that most seniors take an average of four or more prescriptions on a daily basis. That means four medications to keep track of refilling, four visits to the doctor to check for progress, four trips to the pharmacy to pick up pills, and four different medications that can interact with each other, with common foods, or simply bring about serious side effects.
Acupuncture neatly sidesteps these issues while providing many of the same benefits. Though it cannot immediately replace every pill bottle or cream, treatment with acupuncture does not require a prescription, i.e., you don't need your primary care doctor to fill out a form and then wait weeks to see if your insurance approves the treatment, and then try to find an in-network provider… None of that is part of acupuncture, making it some of the more accessible treatments available to seniors. Some insurance companies even cover care from an acupuncturist, making the cost more manageable as well!
Four - Eases pain from aging and arthritis
The pain of aging isn't just a metaphor- it's an actual physical symptom. Whether you or a loved one have been diagnosed with arthritis, osteoporosis, or another chronic pain, or whether it's simply the aches and pains subsequent to a life well lived, many people don't want to turn to strong, potentially addictive painkillers that don't really solve the issue.
Acupuncture not only uses the body's own healing energy to resolve physical pain, but it also provides this benefit safely and effectively. Though the cause of the pain may be irreparable, the resulting discomfort can be addressed and diminished through treatment with acupuncture. Ever heard the saying ‘Pain is mandatory, suffering is optional'? That's true with the pain of aging: unavoidable but manageable. Manageable without dangerous narcotics, no less!
Three - Improves emotional wellness
Acupuncture treatment doesn't simply affect the physical body and signs of aging there. As we get older, it's common to experience problems with emotions. As we live longer, we're able to observe longer societal shifts and changes that might be distressing at first or confusing. The brain's ability to roll easily with the flux of time may diminish, and we might experience depression or anxiety as a result. It's also common to need less sleep as we age or to have trouble sleeping continuously through the night. All three of these needs, as well as others related to our emotional well-being, can be addressed with acupuncture. Just as acupuncture can help people change or break unwanted habits, it can also help to bring our thoughts into healthier, more positive patterns.
Two - Lowers blood pressure
Blood pressure is one of those pernicious health issues that sneak up as we age. Whether it's a genetic predisposition or the result of lifestyle, high blood pressure is a risk factor for many other, more concerning health complaints, including stroke, heart problems, aneurysms, kidney problems, eye problems, metabolic problems, and more!
Yes, daily medications do exist to address high blood pressure, and when taken properly, they can be very effective. But blood pressure medication requires a prescription, must be taken in a controlled manner and may interact or interfere with other vital medications or health treatments. Many of the benefits of high blood pressure medication can be achieved via treatment from an acupuncturist, with almost none of the drawbacks.
Beginning acupuncture treatment does mean we should immediately empty our pill bottles and never darken the physician's doorstep again, however! Instead, over a period of time, with close monitoring by professionals, you and your medical team can determine if acupuncture can fully release you from the need for daily high blood pressure medication or if you can go down on your dose as a result of acupuncture treatment. Please don't stop any medication or treatment without consulting your doctor.
One - Treats the whole body
Sure, you have health insurance, but what about dental? Vision? Mainstream western medicine compartmentalizes wellness in such a way as to allow for the specialization but also maximization of profit. For seniors who may be experiencing health issues both systemically and in specialty areas, that means delays in treatment and a lack of cohesion of care. Each new doctor requires records from others, a retelling of a life history of health concerns, and another co-pay.
Acupuncture is considered a holistic treatment because it considers the body as a whole, full of interconnected needs and relationships. Acupuncture can treat pain in the mouth, changes to vision, and physical pain from an old injury, potentially all in the same visit. This same visit won't require insurance approval, nor will it interfere with any other medicines or treatments you're receiving.
Every senior can benefit from acupuncture to manage the normal symptoms of aging, as well as more significant health issues. Acupuncture is safe, effective, and accessible for seniors who want to be happier, healthier, and more active as they age!
Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!