Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they're not the same. Dementia is an umbrella term describing a group of symptoms—including memory loss, changes in thinking, and impaired daily function. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for approximately 60–80% of cases.

One fascinating aspect of CSF movement is that it is influenced by breathing. During inhalation, pressure within the head decreases, while exhalation slightly increases it. These natural pressure changes help create a gentle pumping mechanism that assists the movement of cerebrospinal fluid and supports the brain's waste-clearance system (the brain produces 3 grams of waster per day!).

Healthy pressure relationships throughout the head, neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis all contribute to efficient fluid movement.

One of the best ways to support brain health is through regular movement. Research consistently shows that physical activity improves blood flow to the brain, supports healthy circulation, promotes quality sleep, and is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline.

Exercise naturally encourages deeper breathing, helping maintain healthy pressure changes that assist CSF movement. It also supports the brain's glymphatic system—the network responsible for clearing metabolic waste, particularly during restful sleep.

Conversely, limited physical activity and shallow breathing may contribute to poorer oxygen delivery, reduced sleep quality, and less efficient waste clearance.

As we age, circulation within the brain naturally changes. Studies have shown that Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are associated with reduced blood flow and altered cerebrospinal fluid and lymphatic drainage.

Researchers believe these changes may reduce the brain's ability to efficiently remove waste products and maintain optimal function, making healthy circulation an increasingly important area of study.

Brain health is influenced by many daily habits.Current research suggests that regular exercise, quality sleep, cardiovascular health, and a balanced diet all contribute to healthy brain aging.

Research  also suggests that diets high in added sugars may be associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, while reducing added sugar intake may help support long-term brain health. Although researchers continue to study these relationships, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is considered an important part of overall brain wellness.

Did you know that a reduced sense of smell can be one of the earliest signs of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease? The olfactory system has direct connections to areas of the brain involved in memory and emotion. Changes in smell can occur years before more obvious cognitive symptoms appear, making it an important symptom to discuss with your healthcare provider. We can use manual therapy to support the connection of smell to the brain, overall improving the health of the brain.

Visceral, vascular, and neural manipulation aim to improve the mobility of tissues surrounding the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body while supporting balanced pressure relationships that contribute to healthy circulation and fluid movement.

Although manual therapy cannot remove existing amyloid plaques or reverse neurodegenerative disease, it may help support the body's natural physiology and optimize the environment in which the brain functions through neuroplasticity.

Some patients may experience benefits such as:

Our goal is always to optimize the body's ability to function as efficiently as possible. Manual therapy is intended to complement—not replace—medical care, exercise, healthy nutrition, quality sleep, and other evidence-based approaches to supporting lifelong brain health.