Medical Guidance: Attending Physician, Orthopedic Trauma Department, Traditional Therapy Center, Guangdong Hospital of Chinese Medicine
Many retirees have a habit of "binge-watching" TV dramas. Once hooked on a popular series, they may sit in front of the TV for hours on end, unable to turn off their "TV addiction."While using TV dramas for leisure entertainment is understandable, some seniors experience symptoms like dizziness, blurred vision, hearing loss, and limb weakness due to prolonged viewing causing mental exhaustion.
Chen Lei, Attending Physician at the Orthopedic Trauma Department of Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine's Traditional Therapy Center, explains that these discomforts stem from overtaxing the brain during extended binge-watching sessions.Traditional Chinese medicine holds that "the brain is the residence of the original spirit." As the focal point of human essence and consciousness, the brain controls vision, hearing, smell, thought, and memory—underscoring its vital role as the seat of life's subtleties. Thus, brain health is key to sustaining vitality, and seniors are advised to incorporate daily brain-stimulating exercises.
Brain-Boosting Exercises
Section One: Breathing Exercise
Key Movements: Stand with feet apart, close eyes to calm the spirit, clear distracting thoughts. Raise arms overhead to expand the chest while inhaling through the nose (as shown in Figure ①). Then lower arms while exhaling with slight effort (as shown in Figure ②). Repeat this cycle 8 times.
Benefits: This exercise combines chest expansion with inhalation to enhance lung capacity in the elderly, delivering more oxygen to the bloodstream and boosting energy levels.(as shown in Figure ③). Perform this "combing hair" motion 8 times.
Benefits: The Gallbladder, Stomach, and Bladder meridians all traverse the head. Regularly practicing the "combing hair" exercise helps unblock these meridians, thereby clearing heat and reducing internal fire.
Section 3: Pressing the "Wind Pool" Points
Key Points: Use both thumbs to press the Wind Pool points on both sides (located in the hollow at the back of the head). Inhale while pressing, exhale while releasing. Repeat 7 times (as shown in Figure ④).
Benefits: The Fengchi point is a key "wind-regulating" point on the Gallbladder Meridian, known for clearing liver heat and improving vision. Regular massage here can alleviate headaches, eye strain, neck soreness, insomnia, and other discomforts.
Section 4: Shoulder Grasping Exercise
Key Movements: First, use the thumb and four fingers of your left hand to firmly grasp the right Jianjing point (located at the midpoint between the Dazhui point and the tip of the acromion). Lift upward with force 12 times (as shown in Figure ⑤). Then, using the right hand in the same manner, grasp the left Jianjing point and lift upward 12 times.
Benefits: The Shoulder Well point is commonly used to treat soft tissue disorders in the shoulders and back. Massaging this point helps relax the entire body and is particularly effective for relieving muscle soreness in the shoulders and back.
Section 5: Drumming the Heavenly Drum
Key Moves: Place both palms over your ears, with the index fingers resting on the middle fingers at the back of the head (as shown in Figure ⑥). Gently tap 24 times.Then press your palms over your ear openings and abruptly lift them away. Repeat this opening and closing motion 8 times consecutively.
Benefits: Traditional Chinese medicine holds that "the kidneys open their orifices to the ears." Sufficient kidney qi enhances auditory acuity. Regular practice of this technique strengthens the kidneys and fortifies their foundation, offering preventive and therapeutic effects against kidney deficiency symptoms such as dizziness, forgetfulness, and tinnitus.