Sue’s Weblog

I was just visiting with a perfect example of why we should take prevention seriously when it comes to Alzheimers.  A lot of people probably don’t even know that it’s possible to prevent it, or at least lessen the chance that you will suffer from it in your “golden yrs”. 

Let me tell you: When you have Alzheimers, or are living with someone who has it on any sort of regular basis, those so-called “golden years” are not so golden.

I don’t live with my Mother in Law on any regular basis, but even our 5 days of vacation, in her company, were a bit much to take. 

I’ve heard MDs on talk shows on reputable stations tauting the efficacy of fish oil, and of maintaining a healthy brain by using it.  They say “use it or lose it” and they’re serious about it.  I’ve learned the importance of that, as a massage therapist.  I often palpate, and massage mis-used or underused muscles.  Underused muscles cause just as much if not more trouble than over-used or strained muscles, and that’s what the brain is.  It is a muscle, and it needs exercise too.

Under-used muscles atrophy.  The MDs say that learning something new everyday, prevents such atrophy from occuring in the brain.  They also say that fish oil helps, along with many other good foods.  It’s getting easier and easier to get good foods, these days.  Organic has become all the rage. 

The trick is to make yourself drive by the MacDonalds in order to get into the store to get the really good foods when your hungry and craving fries and a QP.  I try to have snacks with me that I’m going to want to eat, that are a bit healthier than the QP and fries.  The fast food is a waste of money and calories.

Speaking of money, consider the cost of having to live in the assisted living wing of a Snr Ctr. in your so-called golden yrs.  Are you going to have that kind of money?  Is that where you’re really going to want to spend it? 

I highly recommend that my readers get some good books on preventing Alzheimers, because there’s new research that will tell you how, and you won’t regret the reading, but you may regret remaining ignorant.  Meanwhile, you can start with fish oil, dancing lessons, puzzle books, and other sorts of fun mind games. 

A healthy brain and body are vital to a happy life.  Good luck to you, in acheiving both.  Keep in mind that massage, far from being a luxury, really is a legitamate means to the end of better health.  If you can’t move your arm, because your shoulder was injured several yrs. ago, it’s not going to get better unless you do something about it.  It will in fact get worse.  Your range of motion will continue to lessen and the surrounding muscles will atrophy, as I mentioned before. 

There are things that you can do to prevent the atrophy of muscles that have been traumatized.  You can stretch, and get masage, or physical therapy.  It is important to ask professionals how to stretch, or at least watch some good Yoga videos, because otherwise certain muscles will get stretched and others will not.  You will benefit twice as much or more, by stretching all your muscles properly, as you will by stretching only some of your muscles.  You can actually do yourself some damage by stretching some muscles and not others.

Please feel free to contact me, or a professional that you trust to ask about good stretches for any muscles that you have trouble figuring out how to stretch, and remember to stretch your brain.

G’luck All.  Ciao.