Aging Gracefully with Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine
I was 24, 94 pounds, beautiful as hell, and a tender new transplant to Los Angeles. One steamy June day I remember walking into a Chinese Pharmacy downtown to buy a bar of sandalwood soap for my then boyfriend. A man in a white lab coat took me by the arm and asked if I wanted to see the Dr. as he steered my towards the back of the store.
The “Dr.” I met with was an old man who worked out of a tiny broom closet. This sweet man treated me for every ailment from UTI’s to depression and anxiety for the next 4 years with amazing results. One day, I gathered up the nerve to ask, “How old are you?”. “89 this month.”, he smiled back. I was slack-jawed. The man in front of me had the skin of a 50 year old woman. Absolutely glowing with not a single dark spot – only pearlescent white skin with NO wrinkles. This was 1993 - before lasers and Retin A were available. No smoke and mirrors. I was stunned. He moved with the quick grace and agility of a 30 year old. I was so confused.
I asked hopefully, “How do you stay so young?” He giggled, “You Americans love stress. I don’t worry like you. Meditation, cherry juice for skin, Tai Qi, herbs - every day - every day, and Acupuncture. Lot of Acupuncture. Acupuncture so important. So important.” I left in a very confused state.
That was 1993. I giggle when I think back at the 24 year old who sat in that closet office in awe. Now I am 55 and thanks to Eastern Medicine have sailed through menopause and am on the other end feeling and looking pretty good. He was right… Meditation, Exercise, Herbs, and Acupuncture are a fantastic combo for elegant aging!
For the sake of this article I am going to focus on the main 2 modalities of Eastern Medicine – Acupuncture and Herbs. There is so much research to support these statements, and I have cited some of it at the end, but Eastern Medicine is still struggling for its full acceptance and integration in our culture. I hope reading further will help you embrace it into your daily life to enjoy a more graceful aging process.
Acupuncture can help with aging by stimulating the flow of Qi in the body, which boosts circulation and reduces inflammation. Facial rejuvenation Acupuncture, in particular, can help plump and tighten the skin, target wrinkles, and reduce fine lines. By stimulating the facial muscles, Acupuncture can help restructure the edges and ridges that fit along the cheek bones and potentially reverse some of the effects of aging.
Eastern Medicine And Memory Loss
Many Acupuncture points increase the acetylcholinesterase reactivity in the hippocampus, lower cortisol levels, and increase neurogenesis which greatly improves learning and memory ability. So many studies have shown the effectiveness of Acupuncture in the prevention of memory loss and cognitive decline when used as an alternative or in combination with other treatments. And new findings indicate that even mild cognitive impairment can be improved and sometimes reversed with Acupuncture.
Sources:
https://alzheimers.newlifeoutlook.com/acupuncture-for-memory-loss/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312144
http://www.acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_jun15/memory.htm
Eastern Medicine and Skin Rejuvenation
Acupuncture stimulates the flow of Qi and blood in the body, which boosts circulation, reduces inflammation, and forces your body to produce more collagen. As we age we naturally produce less and less collagen with each year that passes. Topically applying collagen will not reverse aging. However, facial rejuvenation Acupuncture helps plump and tighten the skin, target wrinkles, and reduce fine lines by tricking your body into thinking it is being damaged and forcing it to repair itself with a burst of collagen. And in addition to the collagen burst, by stimulating the major facial muscles Acupuncture helps restructure the muscles and fascia along the cheek bones, chin, and eyes.
One might ask, “Does this hurt?” I mean, you are sticking needles in someone’s face, right? But NO. Facial Acupuncture does NOT hurt. We use hair-thin needles that are slightly thicker than the human hair and are designed to seamlessly glide into the skin almost imperceptibly. It does not hurt!
There are also so many herbs and patented formulas to augment Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture. For thousands of years Chinese patented formulas have been around to help increase muscle tone, increase blood flow, and improve overall glow.
Eastern Medicine and Incontinence
Acupuncture is a wonderful way to treat urinary incontinence and bladder control issues due to aging or disease. According to many studies, there is no significant difference between the use of Acupuncture and Western drugs for overactive bladder in adults. Eastern Medicine has been accelerating the recovery of bladder function for centuries. It has no side effects, is cost effective, super convenient, and incredibly safe in comparison to surgery.
Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine is a beautiful alternative to surgery for women after labor and delivery, women going through menopause, men suffering from prostate issues, and spinal injury patients. In my own practice I have even found Acupuncture to be a wonderful treatment for bedwetting.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31433197/
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Fulltext/2020/08140/Efficacy_and_safety_of_acupuncture_for_urinary.31.aspx
https://www.bladderandbowel.org/conservative-treatment/acupuncture/
https://www.healthcmi.com/Acupuncture-Continuing-Education-News/1684-acupuncture-helps-bladder-control-stops-leakage
Eastern Medicine and Menopause
Acupuncture has been found to be very effective in alleviating many symptoms of menopause. Acupuncture helps to boost and balance hormones that are leveling off during the aging process and provides relief for hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, vaginal dryness, and pain. Acupuncture also stimulates the central nervous system and regulates the vagus nerve which is essential for controlling depression and anxiety that is exacerbated during menopause.
Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine is not only a great tool for female menopause, but also is a great resource for male aging, as well. Lack of testosterone, lower libido, and sexual dysfunction are issues that plague the aging man. Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine help balance male hormones, as well, help raise Kidney Yang (libido) and help improve both Primary and Secondary Erectile Dysfunction (ED).
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/acupuncture-for-menopause-how-this-alternative-therapy-brought-me-relief
https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-menopause/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28350757/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324481
Eastern Medicine and Weight Loss
Weight gain is the result of many dysfunctions in the body. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s Qi (energy flow) by focusing on the adrenals, endocrine system, kidneys, spleen, and thyroid glands. By stimulating these organs and systems (meridians), your body is encouraged to increase metabolism, improve insulin and leptin sensitivity, stimulate endorphins, reduce appetite, and improve lymphatic drainage and inflammation.
Now I know you are thinking, can’t I just take an Ozempic and lose the weight? Sure, you can. However the moment you stop taking the drug your appetite will return and you will become less insulin sensitive and the pounds will return. Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine gets to the root of the issue and trains your body to make lasting change. The goal is to lose it slow and steady and train your brain and body to work together for more permanent results. Also, Ozempic’s side effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, pancreatitis, and kidney damage. There are NO side effects from Acupuncture.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/acupuncture-for-weight-loss
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/acupuncture-for-weight-loss
https://www.verywellhealth.com/acupuncture-for-weight-loss-5088178
https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2019-02-14/can-acupuncture-help-you-lose-weight
Now after reading about all the health benefits of Acupuncture and Eastern Medical treatments you may be asking, "Can I afford this?" The answer is – “Yes”.
Here is a breakdown of some things you spend money on in a year…..
Starbucks Latte 1x a day 5 days a week $1,300
Annual Gym membership $1,200
Average Cable Bill/Streaming Costs $2,400
Ordering In 2xs a Week for 2 people $10,000
Average Surgery Cost $5,000 - $200,000
1 Acupuncture Visit every Other Week* $3,250
* Many Insurance plans reimburse for Acupuncture Treatments.
So as you can see, Acupuncture is extremely cost effective when you look at the big picture. It is an investment in your happiness, health, and overall quality of life. I am so grateful I bumped into that beautiful old man in the broom closet over 30 years ago. Not only is my own quality of life so much better than it would have been otherwise, but I have found a profession I am passionate about and which I can help others live better lives, as well.
* Read more studies on Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine for age related conditions.
