Where are my keys? What did I come in here for? These are questions we ask ourselves day in and day out, it seems, especially as we get older. And goodness knows most of us are lucky if we can remember our own phone numbers, let alone the digits belonging to friends and family members. Loss of short-term memory can be a huge burden; some people have even devised a clever acronym for the problem: CRS (can’t remember sh…stuff). Thankfully, there are ways to cope with memory loss and improve retention so we don’t feel as if our brains are just sieves through which information filters. Of course, one we recommend is acupuncture.
The Burden of Technology
There are many things with which technology has certainly helped, but since we humans transitioned to smartphones, has there been any reason to remember anything? From phone numbers to which number president Lincoln was, the answer is as close as asking Siri or pushing a couple of buttons. In effect, we’ve stopped needing to use our brains for this information since we know it’s so readily accessible.
For those who do suffer from lack of retention of important to menial facts, a smartphone is a true wonder. We can write ourselves notes, quickly add events to the calendar, or make a list for the grocery store no matter where we find ourselves. But eventually, you’ll forget where you put that little gadget — and then your phone can’t help you find where you put the phone (okay, there are apps that can, but that’s another story). So although technology is a help, it can be a hindrance when it becomes a crutch. It sometimes seems as if so much technology has actually made us use our brains less at this point.
What Causes Memory Loss?
Let’s assume for a moment that we truly are discussing daily memory lapses and not bigger issues such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. There are many things that can be at the root of memory loss: medications, drug or alcohol use, fatigue, depression, stress, inadequate diet and nutrition, head injury, stroke, or thyroid issues. From the view of an acupuncturist, challenges with memory occur because of a blood deficiency stemming from an imbalance in the spleen, heart, or liver system. The acupuncturist’s job is to stimulate the digestive system and improve the circulatory system to bring vibrant, fresh blood to the brain.
Improving Memory
There are a number of ways to improve memory retention. For many reasons, we prefer a more natural approach to helping you keep track of your keys, phone numbers, and thoughts. Given the causes of memory loss, turning those around would seem to be helpful. For instance, if medications are the culprit, a change in dose or type may work. Likewise, an improved diet, reduction in stress, better sleeping habits, nutritional supplements, or balancing of the thyroid can all make a marked improvement in short-term memory.
There Is Help
If you are suffering from memory loss that appears to have escalated from being merely a nuisance to something that is having an effect on your general life, it may be time to reach out to a professional. Schedule your appointment with us to learn how acupuncture can serve to enhance blood flow and get your body moving again so that you are able to remember where you put things and why November 3 is such an important date to your spouse.
Call Harmony and Health Acupuncture at 602-955-5444 to learn more.
