The Health Benefits of Acupuncture for Seniors
There has been a certain amount of hype about acupuncture and other alternative medicines, but is there anything to it? The answer, like many things in life, depends on the person. Read on to see if acupuncture for seniors is something you should look into.
Modern Medicine vs. Acupuncture for Seniors
A major difference between acupuncture and modern medicine is philosophy. Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture focuses on the overall well-being of mind and body while modern medicine works to cure symptoms. Modern medicine focuses on hard facts, but tends to disregard what it cannot explain. Our doctors give us pills for the symptoms they can explain and shrug off those they cannot. As a result, we have a lot of medications to ease our discomforts. On the other hand, acupuncture seeks to improve medical conditions by balancing the energy flows of the body. Elderly patients tend to have energy deficiencies, so improving those flows may also improve general health. In other words, acupuncture strives for overall wellness in addition to addressing a specific condition.But is acupuncture actually effective? Most people who grew up in the United States have no experience with Traditional Chinese Medicine, haven’t heard of qi (pronounced “chee”, the body’s vital energy) and don’t understand how manipulating it is supposed to improve any physical condition. Despite all skepticism, many studies agree that acupuncture is effective, especially in treating chronic pain. This is especially useful to seniors with chronic conditions who can’t take more medication for them.
In the end, it’s a matter of attitude. If you try acupuncture expecting a fast and easy cure to all your ailments, you’ll be disappointed for sure. However, if you approach acupuncture as a life philosophy where mental well-being and physical health are equally important, you may well get something out of it!
