Once Alzheimer’s disease occurs, its course is irreversible. Currently, various treatment methods in traditional Chinese and Western medicine can only slow down the progression of the disease. Therefore, prevention and health – care measures taken during a healthy period or in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease can have a good preventive and therapeutic effect.
There are many ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. For the elderly, doing finger exercises is probably the most effective and convenient method. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, many meridians run through the fingers. From the thumb to the little finger, they respectively correspond to the Lung Meridian of Hand – Taiyin, the Large Intestine Meridian of Hand – Yangming, the Pericardium Meridian of Hand – Jueyin, the Sanjiao Meridian of Hand – Shaoyang, the Heart Meridian of Hand – Shaoyin, and the Small Intestine Meridian of Hand – Taiyang in the human body. Moreover, some important acupoints are concentrated on the fingers. Moving the fingers can regulate the qi of the internal organs through the meridians, playing a role in overall health – care.
Modern research also shows that when the hands and fingers are active, brain cells can be widely stimulated, which can adjust and improve brain function. In addition, the cerebral blood flow increases significantly when the fingers are moving compared to when the hands are still. This is of great significance for promoting brain development and improving brain function.
Comprehensively moving the fingers seems to require little effort, but it actually causes significant brain activity. By scientifically and reasonably stimulating the brain through hand movements, we can effectively slow down the aging of brain cells and the decline of brain function, thus playing a role in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain – Boosting Finger Exercises
Section 1
Bend the second joint of each finger (counting from the fingertip) at a right – angle. First, do this 6 times with both hands simultaneously. Then, bend the second joint of each finger from the index finger to the little finger one by one with one hand, while the fingers of the other hand bend from the little finger to the index finger at the same time. Repeat this 6 times. Finally, bend two non – adjacent fingers simultaneously, and do this with both hands, also repeating 6 times.
Section 2
Draw patterns like a “plus sign”, an “S”, a “rice – character” or other patterns on the tabletop. Use any two fingers as “feet” and “walk” along the designed pattern for 6 minutes.
Section 3
Repeatedly make a fist and then release it with both hands. At the same time, let the ten toes of both feet grasp the ground and then release it. Do this 60 times.
Section 4
Do 30 abacus – calculation problems with the left hand and 30 with the right hand. The problems can be of different difficulty levels.
Practice the whole set of finger exercises or some of its sections every day according to your own situation. This can not only help prevent Alzheimer’s disease but also has a very positive effect on reducing the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. For children and young people, finger exercises can also effectively develop the brain, keeping it youthful and energetic.