MOVE, in this case, stands for "management of vital exercise." Time and again I experience, and hear other people's experiences with, a variety of health conditions. One essential component for good health is our physical need for oxygen, and we have a lot of control on how well it is distributed. Breathing alone does not insure that oxygen is getting everywhere it is needed. Here is where it is up to us to manage our own individual program of vital exercise to insure that it does! It is "vital" because if different areas do not receive adequate oxygen, the result is any number of heath issues: back pain, leg pain, numbness, "death" of a toe or finger and gangrene, brain disorders, and more.
An acupuncturist was able to explain to me how the tightening of muscles can block blood flow. Blood carries oxygen. If the flow is blocked, an essential amount of oxygen is not getting to the muscles and organs. With just a few simple exercises a day combined with cognizant breathing techniques, so many pains and disorders can be lessened or eliminated.
For years, I heard that a low pulse rate was good for keeping the heart from being overtaxed. However, there is a boundary for a heart being exercised too much or too little. Even when breathing slowly, I periodically monitor myself to be sure I am keeping a constant breathing rhythm going. Be mindful of holding in the lower part of the abdomen as this relieves stress on avenues that could weaken or block air flow. The goal is to keep all avenues open as much as possible.
I have a tendency to flex (tighten) the muscles in my left flank and leg more so than my right, and it is the left side that suffers pain as a result. Even just standing, I can feel the tension in my left leg when I am consciously focusing on which muscles are not relaxed. When doing simple twist motions, I hear and feel "pops" in my spine, neck and joints. At that point, tension is being released, and relaxation is enhanced if I concentrate on not letting them tighten up again. Important, too, is my timing for inhaling and exhaling. It is best to inhale at the start and then exhale while making the exercise motion, ever thinking to relax.
For me, being instructed on the right techniques to use has, over a two-month period, eliminated debilitating pain in my back and left side of my hip, thigh, knee, and half of my calf. For a few years, I had hardly any feeling at all in the tip of my left big toe. After three months of correct exercise, partial feeling has returned. There is no doubt in my mind this has avoided a lot of unnecessary drug prescriptions and possibly even surgery. In addition, if parts of our bodies are oxygen deprived, might it be possible that our brains and other organs might also be deprived? We now know this can mean premature dementia and even Alzheimer's disease when the brain is deprived.
We owe it to ourselves to consider less invasive yet effective options to our medical situations. Being involved and pro-active has emotional and psychological benefits, too. Consultation with acupuncture, chiropractic and yoga specialists is worth the time spent, the knowledge obtained, and (if chosen) treatment received. If there is even a 60% improvement, that can mean a lot in terms of our quality of life. For me, the improvement is 98%. Sometimes my pain will slightly begin to re-occur when I neglect doing my exercises daily or when I've overexerted myself; but I know now how to eliminate it within five minutes. Indeed, become a devout supporter and practitioner of MOVE, and feel better soon!
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Obstructing Alzheimer's
The mind fascinates me and sparks my curiosity. After closely observing aging people to see if I could find a reason why some develop Alzheimer's and others do not, and why the disease of some who do progresses slowly compared to others, I now have a theory. Not only does the mind need to stay active, it has to be challenged with new tasks.
For years I have seen numerous suggestions on ways to keep the mind active -- work crossword puzzles, participate in games, read more, attend lectures, etc. In essence, be engaged. It goes without question that former-President Reagan remained engaged, read a lot, was quite sociable and actively participated in life. While doing nursing-assistant care for a couple years, I often saw this same characteristic of other aging people. And yet, they fell victim to Alzheimer's in varying degrees. Why?
One observation was that the disease did not progress as quickly in the people who stayed both physically and mentally active. Even if a person were stagnating and becoming worse, it was amazing how much he/she bounced "forward" after receiving more stimulation through chatting with me or accompanying me on errands -- engaging in conversations and songs, cleaning, cooking, decorating, gardening, "helping me" follow directions from place A to place B, and interacting with other people in the grocery stores, doctors' offices, and so forth. However, even though that increased activity helped ward off the rate of progression, it remained present and a nuisance.
What was different, then, about elderly people I know who are still mentally sharp and astute? My answer came recently when taking a four-week ceramics class. At 59 years old, I was the "baby" of the group and was undertaking a "new" skill and experience. Every now and then, an aging acquaintance/friend willingly participates in doing something new to them. I combined this recognition with knowing already that the brain likes to categorize everything -- like putting things in neat little boxes. Over time, the "walls" between the boxes deteriorate bit by bit, and information begins sloshing together; and some information falls through the cracks, forever lost. There is was! The sharp and astue elderly people put new activities into their lives.
Using President Reagan again as an example, I speculate that although he remained very active and busy, he was not learning new skills. Absorbing and analyzing information was already a developed skill. The fact that new information was constantly being introduced did not matter -- the basic "box" of "how to receive and analyze" was already established. What might have been his condition had he picked up a new hobby every year -- woodcarving, painting, playing an instrument, or archery?
My theory is that Alzheimer's can be obstructed when a person periodically takes on an activity that introduces thoughts of a totally new subject combined with new motions that challenge depth perception, hand-to-eye coordination, body movements (like in dancing, yoga, and tai chi) and dexterity. It forces the brain to make a new box. Perhaps in doing so, the making of new boxes might also add strength to weakening boxes. Since there is nothing to lose by testing this theory, it is my plan to do so. If I am correct, it will be one last challenge my loved ones will have to deal with as I continue to "mature." And for me? I will continue to experience new enjoyments!
For years I have seen numerous suggestions on ways to keep the mind active -- work crossword puzzles, participate in games, read more, attend lectures, etc. In essence, be engaged. It goes without question that former-President Reagan remained engaged, read a lot, was quite sociable and actively participated in life. While doing nursing-assistant care for a couple years, I often saw this same characteristic of other aging people. And yet, they fell victim to Alzheimer's in varying degrees. Why?
One observation was that the disease did not progress as quickly in the people who stayed both physically and mentally active. Even if a person were stagnating and becoming worse, it was amazing how much he/she bounced "forward" after receiving more stimulation through chatting with me or accompanying me on errands -- engaging in conversations and songs, cleaning, cooking, decorating, gardening, "helping me" follow directions from place A to place B, and interacting with other people in the grocery stores, doctors' offices, and so forth. However, even though that increased activity helped ward off the rate of progression, it remained present and a nuisance.
What was different, then, about elderly people I know who are still mentally sharp and astute? My answer came recently when taking a four-week ceramics class. At 59 years old, I was the "baby" of the group and was undertaking a "new" skill and experience. Every now and then, an aging acquaintance/friend willingly participates in doing something new to them. I combined this recognition with knowing already that the brain likes to categorize everything -- like putting things in neat little boxes. Over time, the "walls" between the boxes deteriorate bit by bit, and information begins sloshing together; and some information falls through the cracks, forever lost. There is was! The sharp and astue elderly people put new activities into their lives.
Using President Reagan again as an example, I speculate that although he remained very active and busy, he was not learning new skills. Absorbing and analyzing information was already a developed skill. The fact that new information was constantly being introduced did not matter -- the basic "box" of "how to receive and analyze" was already established. What might have been his condition had he picked up a new hobby every year -- woodcarving, painting, playing an instrument, or archery?
My theory is that Alzheimer's can be obstructed when a person periodically takes on an activity that introduces thoughts of a totally new subject combined with new motions that challenge depth perception, hand-to-eye coordination, body movements (like in dancing, yoga, and tai chi) and dexterity. It forces the brain to make a new box. Perhaps in doing so, the making of new boxes might also add strength to weakening boxes. Since there is nothing to lose by testing this theory, it is my plan to do so. If I am correct, it will be one last challenge my loved ones will have to deal with as I continue to "mature." And for me? I will continue to experience new enjoyments!
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