Complementary Therapies to Promote Cognitive Function in Geriatric Patients

 

Cognitive impairment, like many problems in older adults, is often “multifactorial.” This means that the difficulties with memory, thinking, or other brain processes are often due to more than one cause.  It is a common assumption that as we age, our cognitive health should "normally" decline.  However, things such as medication side effects, hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, neuron damage from injuries, infection, toxins, or neurodegenerative conditions all have effects on cognition.  Therefore determining what a "normal" decline in cognition is can be extremely difficult.  Starting complementary care (complementary care is a term used to describe therapies that are used in addition to, or alongside, conventional care) has become common practice to ensure that we are taking the proper steps to ensure less cognitive decline in elderly patients.  Clinical trials conducted in early 2020 have shown that complementary therapies have reduced the risk of forgetfulness, depression, fall risk, dementia, and stress as well as an increase in everyday activities, cognitive recognition and function, and mindfulness in patients aged 55 years and older.  Complementary therapies included in the trials were chiropractic adjustments and other body-based methods, alternative medical systems, mind-body interventions, biological based treatments, and energy therapies.  Our nervous system controls or directs all of our bodily functions, including the mind-body connection!  In particular, specific, neurologically-based chiropractic care, ensures that our nervous system is operating free of interference and at its optimal state.  Chiropractic care is a non-invasive approach to health that has been proven to provide immense health benefits!  Our office can also help refer to other complementary care options such as massage, acupuncture, yoga, mental health counseling, hormone replacement therapies, and naturopathic medicine!

 

Yours in health,

Dr. Nicholas J. Knutson, DC

Owner/Doctor

MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHIROPRACTIC

10917 Black Dog Ln., Suite 101 

Charlotte, NC 28214

Tel (704) 394-8556

Fax (704) 395-8556

mtnislandchiro.com

 

Ngyuen, S. A., & Lavretsky, H. (2020). Emerging Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Geriatric Mental Health.  Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry.  doi:10.1007/s40501-020-00229-5.