Treating Alzheimer's Disease: An Ancient Remedy for a Modern Disease

By Wolfgang Luckmann, LMT
March 1, 2018

Treating Alzheimer's Disease: An Ancient Remedy for a Modern Disease

By Wolfgang Luckmann, LMT
March 1, 2018

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. As of last year more than five million Americans had been diagnosed with this disease. By 2050, it is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people.1 According to Western medicine there is no known cure for the disease, and current drug therapies only treat the symptoms. Most often it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, but early-onset Alzheimer's disease is not uncommon.

Alzheimer's disease develops differently for each individual but there are fairly common signs and symptoms. Sometimes early signs and symptoms are misinterpreted as signs of aging, or manifestations of stress. The most common symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events.

As the disease develops, symptoms can include confusion, irritability, aggression, mood swings, trouble with language and long-term memory loss. As the disease advances the patient withdraws from family and society. Eventually bodily functions are lost. Alzheimer's disease develops different for each individual and for an unknown amount of time until it becomes apparent. Doctors perform brain scans and behavioral and thinking tests. Mental stimulation, exercise and a balanced diet have been tried as a way to slow down the deterioration of cognitive functioning and these have shown promise.

Shiatsu & Acupressure

Since 2012 there have been numerous tests to ascertain the effects of medicines, meditation, music, physical activity on the cognitive faculties of Alzheimer's patients. There have been several tests involving touch in the form of acupressure and massage and these in general have shown favorable results over a four-week period. A summary of the most prominent results revealed the following:

  • Agitated behavior , irritability decreased by 25%
  • Aimless wandering dropped by 50%
  • Mood swings dropped by 30%
  • Memory increased by 50%

In tests involving Shiatsu, several acupressure points and channels have been commonly used. The duration of Shiatsu treatments have varied from 15 minutes to 30 minutes in one session. Sessions have been conducted usually daily over a four-week period. Researchers have used these six acupressure points bilaterally in their study:

  • Fengchi ( Gallbladder 20, Gb )
  • Baihui ( Du 20 / Governor Vessel 20, GV)
  • Shenmen ( Heart 7, Ht. )
  • Neiguan ( Pericardium 6 Pc )
  • Hegu ( Large Intestine 4, Ht.)
  • Taichong ( Liver 3, Liv. )

From a traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine viewpoint these acupressure points move blood and Qi to various areas, tissues and organs, in the human body.

They also have these additional effects: Gb 20 and Du 20 are part of a set of points known to open up the orifices of the mind and they calm the mind. Ht 7 and Pc 6 pacify the mind. Li 4 and Liv 3 used together function to open channels, clear obstructions, send Qi everywhere and lift depression.2

The effects of acupressure on Alzheimer patients can be summarized as varied, accumulative, non-invasive and complementary. Their uncomplicated nature makes them easy to be taught to care-givers and family members of dementia patients as well.

References

  1. Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer's Association; 2017.
  2. Flaws B. Sticking to the Point. Boulder: Blue Poppy Press, 2007; pp. 25-50.

Resources

  • Lee JS, et al. Acupressure for Treating Neurological disorders – A systematic Review. International Journal of Neuroscience, 2011;121(8).
  • Robinson N, et al. The Evidence for Shiatsu: A systematic review of shiatsu and Acupressure. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2001.
  • Gach MR. Acupressure: How to cure common ailments the natural way. London: Piatkus Books, 1993.
  • Yang MH, et al. The Efficacy of Acupressure for decreasing agitated behavior in dementia: a pilot study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, Feb 2007;16(2):308-15.