As age increases, the physical functions of the elderly gradually change, and falls become one of the important hidden dangers threatening their health. The decrease in muscle mass is a key factor leading to an increased risk of falls. In this issue of Learning Health from Celebrities, we invite Ge Wei, the deputy director of acupuncture and moxibustion and Massage Department of Jiangsu Provincial Government Hospital, to explain in detail the principle of acupuncture and moxibustion helping to strengthen muscles, and share the precautions in life, so as to help the elderly comprehensively improve muscle strength and reduce the risk of falls. Elderly people are prone to falls: a health crisis caused by multiple factors. Falls in the elderly are not accidental events, but the result of changes in physical function and the combined effects of multiple potential factors. The harm it brings cannot be ignored. Ge Wei said that from the perspective of the body itself, the first is the degradation of physiological functions. As people age, their nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems all experience decline. The nerve conduction function decreases, the perception ability of body posture and balance weakens, and the reaction speed slows down. Muscle mass decreases, muscle strength decreases, and even muscle atrophy occurs. Muscle tension and spasms are also common, leading to limb weakness and lack of coordination when walking. Falls pose great harm to the elderly, not only leading to direct injuries such as fractures and soft tissue damage, but also causing a series of complications such as lung infections and pressure ulcers caused by long-term bed rest, seriously affecting their quality of life and even endangering their lives. Acupuncture and moxibustion and moxibustion can improve the circulation of qi and blood, and strengthen the muscles and bones. "acupuncture and moxibustion and moxibustion have unique advantages in preventing falls of the elderly and boosting muscles. Its principle is mainly to improve body function and strengthen muscle and nerve functions. ”Ge Wei told reporters. First of all, acupuncture and moxibustion can improve the supply of qi and blood, strengthen muscles and bones, regulate muscle function, and enhance control ability. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that insufficient qi and blood, as well as blocked meridians, are important causes of lower limb muscle atrophy and decreased muscle strength in the elderly. By stimulating the corresponding acupoints, acupuncture and moxibustion can dredge the channels, promote the generation and circulation of qi and blood, thus enhancing muscle strength, improving the stability and coordination of the lower limbs, and reducing the risk of falls caused by insufficient muscle strength from the root. Joint pain and muscle pain are important obstacles that affect the walking balance of the elderly. acupuncture and moxibustion has a significant analgesic effect, which can effectively relieve arthritis, muscle soreness and other symptoms, enable the elderly to smoothly carry out limb activities, and reduce the risk of walking instability and falling due to pain. Acupuncture and moxibustion also has a good regulating effect on the nervous system, which can improve the nerve conduction function, enhance the body's perception of posture and balance, and improve the reaction speed. This enables elderly people to make timely adjustments and avoid falls when there are signs of imbalance in their bodies. In the selection of acupoints, acupuncture and moxibustion is often used to prevent falls. The Zusanli acupoint on the outer side of the calf can regulate the spleen and stomach, promote the generation of qi and blood, and enhance muscle strength. There is a saying that "stimulating Zusanli is comparable to nourishing a hen"; The San Yin Jiao on the inner side of the calf, as the intersection point of the three Yin meridians of spleen, liver, and kidney, can nourish qi and blood, strengthen tendons and bones, improve limb function and balance; Shenshu acupoint is located at the waist, which can nourish kidney essence, strengthen muscles and bones, and prevent the risk of falls caused by osteoporosis and lower back and knee pain; The Weizhong acupoint is located at the back of the thigh, which can relax muscles, activate collaterals, relieve lower limb muscle tension, and improve motor function; Taixi acupoint is located on the inner side of the foot, which can nourish yin and kidney, enhance foot strength and balance, and reduce falls caused by foot weakness. In clinical practice, doctors will select acupoints based on the patient's specific condition and develop personalized treatment plans according to individual differences. Simply practicing square dancing cannot effectively increase muscle mass. To effectively reduce the risk of falls in the elderly, it is necessary to combine comprehensive assessment and personalized plans, while mastering scientific life skills and abandoning ineffective exercise methods. Ge Wei reminds that if elderly people notice changes in gait, especially "small steps", and the tendency of their upper body to rush forward uncontrollably, they should seek medical attention promptly if they feel at risk of falling or have already experienced a fall. At provincial government hospitals in Jiangsu Province, professional teams will first arrange professional rehabilitation therapists to conduct comprehensive assessments, focusing on musculoskeletal function, balance and coordination ability, neurological function, memory, and other aspects, to identify potential risk factors for falls. Based on the evaluation results, doctors will develop personalized comprehensive intervention plans. The scheme is not unified and fixed, but varies from person to person, usually including acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, massage manipulation, rehabilitation training, etc. In rehabilitation training, resistance training (covering both upper and lower limbs) will be provided under professional guidance for elderly people with decreased muscle strength; For situations where balance ability is insufficient, equipment such as balance meters will be used for evaluation and targeted training. At the same time, rehabilitation therapists will also provide dietary and daily guidance based on the lifestyle habits of the elderly, ensuring comprehensive and long-lasting intervention effects. It should be noted that many elderly people believe that daily activities such as square dancing and walking can have a muscle building effect, but in reality, the intensity of these exercises is often insufficient, making it difficult to achieve the "target heart rate" required to improve muscle strength and balance function, and unable to fundamentally solve the problems of reduced muscle mass and decreased balance ability. Only personalized training programs developed after professional evaluation can effectively improve physical function and reduce the risk of falls. (New Society)