Have you ever considered getting acupuncture as you age?

Getting older is inevitable and sometimes it can really stink. As if the aches and pains weren’t bad enough, most of us experience a gradual decline in mental and physical health, too. From high blood pressure and heart disease to memory loss and arthritis, aging can really take a toll on your quality of life.

Essentially, you have two choices. You could simply accept it and suffer through it. Or, you could fight back against the gradual effects of aging by leading an active lifestyle, prioritizing good nutrition, and combating mental and physical decline with complementary practices like acupuncture.

We can probably all agree that the second approach sounds much more appealing! While most of us are pretty clear on how to live an active lifestyle and eat a healthy diet, you’re probably less familiar with the benefits of acupuncture and how it works.

So, let’s take a look at how acupuncture can help you maintain your mental and physical health as you age. And, how it can help you continue to enjoy the things that are most important to you…well into your golden years!

7 Benefits of Acupuncture Over 50

Acupuncture is an Ancient Chinese Medicine practice that has been used to promote overall health and wellness for thousands of years. As you age, it offers a viable way to treat chronic pain and illness without medication or invasive procedures. 

And even more than that, acupuncture is a form of preventive medicine that can minimize the effects of aging on the mind and body. Here are seven ways you can benefit from acupuncture into your 50s and beyond.

Acupuncture Restores Overall Health & Wellness

According to Dr. Jill Blakeway, “Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of energy healing. It can be used to diagnose and treat illness by manipulating the energy—the vital life force referred to as “Qi” in traditional Chinese medicine—that pulses through the cells of our bodies.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are based on the theory that Qi flows continuously throughout the body. But when this energy becomes blocked due to injury or illness, it can result in chronic pain and disease.

Acupuncture helps restore this flow of energy, which restores overall health and wellness.

Acupuncture Can Help You Avoid the Side Effects of Certain Medications

One of the biggest drawbacks of Western medicine is the side effects and overuse of prescription medicine. 

In fact, the CDC reports that more than 177,000 seniors head to the emergency room every year due to issues with their prescribed medications. That’s because the more medications you take, the greater the potential for negative interactions and side effects. 

Acupuncture is a viable way to get relief from many symptoms and treat illness without the side effects that come with pharmaceuticals. In many cases, acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs can reduce or even eliminate the need for prescription medications.

Acupuncture Can Improve the Symptoms of Heart Disease & High Blood Pressure

Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and high blood pressure. In fact, studies show that acupuncture significantly lowers stress and improves heart function, not just in patients with early signs of heart disease, but also in cases of advanced heart disease. 

And, because it lowers adrenaline levels in patients suffering from heart failure, acupuncture can improve their quality of life and longevity. That same study also showed that acupuncture can be just as effective as prescription medication for treating hypertension and angina.

Acupuncture is Beneficial for Mood Health & Cognitive Function

A gradual decline in cognitive function can have a major impact on quality of life as you age, but acupuncture is incredibly beneficial for improving cognitive function and mood health. It could ever reverse or slow the effects of aging on the mind.

In fact, studies have shown that acupuncture can help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s by improving their motor and verbal skills, along with their mood and cognitive function. 

But even more than that, acupuncture is useful for treating other mental health concerns that become more common as we age, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. These issues often go hand in hand with chronic aches and pains, and acupuncture addresses them as one issue.

Acupuncture recognizes that the mind and body interact and work as one, so your emotional wellbeing has a direct impact on your physical health. By balancing the flow of qi energy, acupuncture helps relieve physical ailments and emotional issues simultaneously.

Acupuncture Can Relieve Arthritis & Other Chronic Pain

If you’re looking for a way to relieve arthritis pain without having to pop a pill every day, acupuncture just might be the answer. Many types of chronic pain respond very well to acupuncture, including back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, and even rheumatoid arthritis.

Because acupuncture relieves the inflammation, swelling, and discomfort of many joint and muscular issues, it is often used in conjunction with other therapies, such as chiropractic treatments and physical therapy.

Acupuncture Can Improve Digestive Health

As we age, digestive function becomes less optimal. This can result in bloating, constipation, and difficulty processing favorite foods. Acupuncture improves digestive function by reducing inflammation in the digestive system and nourishing the stomach and other digestive organs.

Acupuncture Benefits Respiratory Health

Our respiratory function also suffers as we age. The muscles gradually weaken and the amount of air that can be pumped in and out and stored in the lungs decreases. Acupuncture is fantastic for boosting oxygen circulation and opening up the airways. It can dramatically improve breathing function as well as relieve many other symptoms brought on by respiratory issues and allergies.

The Wrap Up

So, is acupuncture worth considering as you age? Definitely! Not only can it provide relief for many of the common issues we experience as we get older, but it can also help to slow or even reverse mental and physical decline. One of the best things about acupuncture is that it relieves stress and boosts the immune system, and in times like these, who couldn’t benefit from that?

Have you ever considered getting acupuncture as you age? Let us know in the comments at the bottom of this page. We want to hear from you!

NOTE: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your health care provider or seek other professional medical treatment. 

About the author: Nicole has been obsessed with beauty and fashion since she was a young girl, always flipping through Vogue and stealing her mother’s cosmetics bag to experiment. She’s a former wedding makeup artist who loves spending her free time trying new products and staying up to date on the latest beauty and style trends. While Nicole’s days are now spent contributing to fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sites from home while raising her kids, she can still always be found putting looks together, even if it’s just for a trip to the grocery store! 

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