Boost Your Brain Power with Acupuncture

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 in-

corporates different modalities, including nutritional support.

According to acupuncture and Oriental medicine, the spirit (Shen) embodies consciousness,

emotions and thought. Shen influences long term memory, the ability to think clearly, con-

tributes 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 un-

balanced, we experience confusion, poor memory, and clouded thinking.

A healthy mind involves harmony between the brain (Sea of Marrow) and the spirit (Shen).

Disharmony of the mind often manifests as anxiety, insomnia, muddled thinking, forgetful-

ness and chronic restlessness. You can enhance this harmony with meditation and acupuncture,

as well as physical exercises such as Tai Chi or Qi Gong. The right foods can balance and

strengthen the mind 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.

Acupuncture Improves Memory and Learning Capacity

The Spleen, Kidney and Heart organ systems all influence intellect. For example the Du

meridian influences all neurological activity by nourishing, stimulating or calming the brain

and spirit. The Spleen organ system influences short-term memory, analytical thinking and

concentration and is damaged by worry and poor nutrition. The Kidney organ system in-

fluences short-term memory and retention, and is damaged by fear and aging. The Heart

organ system influences long-term memory and recall and is damaged by emotional and

chemical over-stimulation. To enhance general learning Oriental medicine focuses on

improving the flow of Qi to the brain, regulation of information processing and response

to external stimuli.

According to a study published in the October 2008 issue of Neuroscience Letters,

acupuncture can significantly improve learning and memory capacity that has been impaired

by hyperglycemia and cerebral ischemia. 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 (904) 448-0046today to see how acupuncture and Oriental medicine can

optimize your mental skills!

Exercises to Improve Concentration

Trouble focusing on your work or losing steam mid-way? Oriental medicine has

innovative approaches to restoring concentration, based on an interpretation of

Qi, the energy which powers the body and the mind. According to Oriental

Medicine, Qi stems from four main components of diet, exercise, rest and mental

activity, each of which tend to vary in terms of quality, quantity, frequency, and

duration.

Looking at these components, you may realize you need to make adjustments to

your diet, fitness, and relaxation strategies in order to make them more sustainable

and conducive to improved brain function and overall health. If you are bloated or

tired after meals or struggling to fall asleep after turning off the computer, you already

know what actions you need to take to nourish your Qi and mind! Meditation and

Tai Chi can also help calm and focus the mind. Try integrating these exercises, to

nourish and improve your concentration.

Eye Exercise for Concentration
Prolonged focus on a fixed location can cause eyestrain as well as Qi Stagnation, im-

pairing circulation and concentration. You should routinely change your focus from

your phone or computer to a point in the distance. Additionally, try taking short breaks

and rolling your eyes in circles, both clockwise and counter-clockwise,10-20 times in

each direction, to relieve strain.

Hand Exercise for Concentration
Manipulating the hands can recharge the mind, according to Oriental medicine and

Traditional Chinese Medicine. Try using Baoding balls, which are small spheres made

of wood, stone, metal, or clay which range from 1.8mm and up in diameter. Place one

ball in the hand and try to pass it to each finger, then try rotating two balls within your palm.

Breathing for Concentration
Breathing exercises redirect your focus to the Liver, which also is the first organ and

meridian system affected in times of emotional stress. As an everyday practice, try

breathing in and out, holding the breath, then exhaling again. Force yourself to “let go”

even more, which stimulates an even deeper inhalation. Lengthening the breath can

calm the mind and redirect your focus away from stress.

Meditate to Increase Focus
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 legs folded, or in a chair with your feet firmly planted

on the ground, allowing for free and 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’re dis-

tracted 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 your balance there is not easy! Eventually,

as your body understands what you are doing, meditating will become easier to enter

into. Remember to be gentle and patient with yourself. Meditating for even 5 or 10

minutes can have a powerful effect on your day.

Good Nutrition Boosts Brain Power

Looking to support your health and also boost your brain function? You can achieve

both of these goals through nutrition. According to Oriental medicine (OM), good

nutrition can improve mental activity, physical and emotional strength and immunity,

breathing, and elimination.

Where to begin? First of all, avoid excess. According to Oriental medicine, overindulging

in food or drink can impair your Qi–the energy which powers the body and the mind.

Greasy, fatty, spicy, and sweet foods can also lead to “stuck” Qi, worsening any

symptoms of fogginess or sluggishness. So how can you support your brain and body

health with food? Consider these foods and their benefits for your brain and body:

Walnuts for Memory
Walnuts are a good source of Vitamin B and E, which may support memory function

and slow cell aging. Try eating 1-2 walnuts per day for optimal brain function. Nuts

and seeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, folate, vitamin E, vitaminB6

and zinc, all of which allow you to think more clearly. Seeds and nuts rich in thiamine

and magnesium are great for memory, cognitive function, and brain nourishment.

Leafy Greens for Concentration, Recall and Understanding
Cooked leafy greens support the Yin which, according to Oriental medicine, enables

better concentration and deep rest. Vegetables such as cabbage, kale, spinach,

collards, turnip greens and others are rich in vitamins, folate, and iron, all of which

are essential for memory recall and increasing cognitive activity. Oriental medicine

considers cooked foods easier to digest, so throw them in soup, steam them or stir-fry.

Water for a Calm and Restful Mind
According to Oriental medicine, drinking water is a crucial way to nourish your Yin,

calming the mind and improving your rest. Oriental medicine recommends drinking

warm water, to support the body’s internal temperature.

Substitute any beverages with pure water to transport nutrients during digestion, to

act as fluid between the joints, and help regulate our temperature and skin (via

perspiration). As a broad guideline, drink half your weight in ounces of water.

Berries to Improve Learning Capacity
Most berries contain fisetin and flavonoids, which are great for improving your

memory and allowing you to easily recall past events. Blueberries are well known

for their role in improving motor skills and overall learning capacity.

Acupuncture and ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral