Memory problems plague people for a variety of reasons, but regardless of who or why, memory issues seriously lower one’s quality of life. Memory loss can be short-term or long-term, slight or significant. Any type of memory loss can feel scary, especially when the affected individual doesn’t know the cause of it.
The Many Causes of Memory Loss
Memory loss can be caused by any number of things. Often, people notice an improvement in their memory when they make it a point to get more sleep. Here are a few other causes of memory loss:
- Dementia (this can only be diagnosed by a physician)
- Medications (benzodiazepines, antihistamines, psychiatric medications, pain killers and many other types of drugs can contribute to a poor memory)
- Alcohol and drug use
- Smoking
- Stress and depression
- Nutrient deficiency
- Stroke
- Head injury
- Medical conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis and overactive thyroid
To determine what is causing your memory loss, make an appointment with your physician.
Physiotherapy: a Drug-Free Treatment for Memory Problems
When you think of treatments for improving memory, does physiotherapy come to mind? If not, you’re not alone. Most people know physiotherapy to be an effective treatment for pain. However, it can also help those who are struggling with memory problems. Best of all, it is a drug-free treatment option.
How Physiotherapy Improves Your Memory
Physiotherapy boosts your memory simply by promoting a more active lifestyle. Physiotherapy is exercise-based and necessitates a more active lifestyle, which can do wonders for the memory.
“Exercise changes the brain in ways that protect memory and thinking skills,” stated Sports and Orthopedic Leaders. “This study showed that when we exercise, muscles release a protein (cathespin B) that appears to generate new cells and improved connections in the hippocampus – a part of the brain that controls memory.”
Sources have long confirmed that movement is linked to memory. A contributor to Harvard Medical School mentioned that a study done at the University of British Columbia indicated regular aerobic activity increases the size of the hippocampus, which is the brain area related to verbal memory and learning.
There are a lot of good reasons to exercise. Science has been proving for a long time that a bolstered memory is one of them.
“Indirectly, exercise improves mood and sleep, and reduces stress and anxiety. Problems in these areas frequently cause or contribute to cognitive impairment.” — Harvard Health Publishing
Improved Memory is Just One Benefit of a Physiotherapy Program
Most people do not visit a physiotherapy office because they are having memory problems. However, physiotherapy patients will likely find that an improved memory is one of the many benefits of this form of therapy.
Have you ever participated in a physiotherapy program? If so, did it improve your memory?