Tai Chi
- rossmba2007
- Jan 24, 2022
- 2 min read
Tai Chi is a slow martial art originating in ancient China. Tai Chi is a moving meditation that involves gentle movements with awareness while breathing deeply.
Tai chi, also called tai chi chuan, is a mind-body exercise that involves physical exercise and stretching. As one practices tai chi, the person’s body changes from one posture to another in a slow dance like pattern with continuous movement.
When practiced on regular basis, tai chi has many health benefits including improvements in mood, sleep and pain. There are numerous studies pointing to Tai chi’s role in improving strength, flexibility, overall fitness as well as immunity. Regular practice of tai chi can also have cardiovascular benefits including reduction in blood pressure and improvement in congestive heart failure symptoms. Tai chi also leads to improvement in balance and reduction in fall risk among older adults.
Tai chi is studied widely for its medical benefits. In a 2012 study, tai chi was found to be a useful behavioral intervention to reduce levels of inflammation in older adults. A 2021 systemic review of scientific studies on effects of tai chi on inflammation found that it is an excellent exercise program to improve body anti-inflammatory capacity. The review concluded that regardless of medical conditions, a person can benefit from practicing tai chi.
Tai chi is a very safe form of regular exercise that can benefits patients with many causes of pain including those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. The key is to practice Tai chi on an ongoing basis, often several times a week. When practiced regularly it can reduce pain, reduce stiffness, improve flexibility as well as improve sleep and mood.
Tai chi is a vital part of treating fibromyalgia, a chronic central pain syndrome that affects about 5% of the US population. A 2010 study from Tufts University in Boston showed that after 12 weeks of practicing Tai chi, more patients were able to discontinue medications used to treat fibromyalgia when compared to those who had not practiced Tai chi.
Studies in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune inflammatory conditions affecting the joints and muscles have shown that Tai chi can be used as a complementary approach to pharmacologic therapy. Regular practice of Tai chi is felt to lead to better function and improved feeling of general wellbeing.
Arthritis foundation is a good source for Tai chi information targeted to those with arthritis.
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