Tai Chi could be prescribed

Jen

Tai Chi 'could be prescribe' for illnesses

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34279190




Tai Chi is a suitable exercise for older people with conditions like arthritis, a study has found.

The ancient Chinese art improves physical performance and enhances quality of life, say researchers.

Tai Chi combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow and gentle movements.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggests the exercise helps with pain and stiffness in arthritis.

It can also help improve quality of life in the lung condition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

And it may have some physical benefits for people with breast cancer or heart failure, according to researchers from the University of British Colombia, Vancouver.

In the future, it might even be possible to consider prescribing Tai Chi for patients with several illnesses, they said.

"Our findings support the results of a previous systematic review that showed the effectiveness of Tai Chi on health outcomes in older patients with chronic conditions," Dr Yi-Wen Chen and colleagues wrote in their research paper.

"Tai Chi can improve some physical performance outcomes in four chronic conditions (cancer, osteoarthritis, heart failure and COPD) but not at the expense of worsening pain or dyspnoea (breathlessness)."
The data comes from a review of more than 30 studies looking at the health benefits of the exercise.

Past research has found that Tai Chi may reduce the risk of falls among older adults who are at increased risk.

OliverT

Tai Chi's probably rubbish. It talks about 'grounding energies' and all that rubbish that was rubbished recently in another thread here.

Codswallop is a word that I remember people using, which is pretty negative stuff actually, which surprised me for a support forum.

Some might actually find it useful though, which is great!
Near me there is a clinic offering Tai-Chi and Chi-Gung on the NHS - more of that please, no matter how little science there is to the fluffy tigers heads or increasing liver energy by patting the backs of your legs.

Jen

Some medical professionals do have a more open mind, similarly so do some non medical professionals


Recommended exercise for arthritis. Tai chi is just one:

http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/LivingwithArthritis/Self-management/exercise-and-arthritis

Australian Arthritis Foundation is working with Dr Paul Lam who has managed his own arthritis through Tai Chi a programme called Tai Chi for arthritis, a similar programme is running in the US, if interested a video explaining :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAOuEpa01j4

In addition Tai chi can be done standing or sitting as can qigong.

I know our local hospital runs a tai chi for arthritis class.

Arthritis Research UK has several articles on tai chi also for those who want to check them out : http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/system/search-results.aspx?keywords=tai+chi


Because we are all different, and respond or not to different treatments and methods, it is down to the individual to decide what is helpful to them.

Jen

Telegraph on line, today:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/6453806/Tai-Chi-can-ease-the-pain-of-arthritis.html

OliverT

Where's the 'like' button?

lindamay

I tried to join a local Tai Chi group but it was fully booked. For a second best option I saw a DVD for sale on Ebay and ordered it. When it arrived I tried playing it but found it was NOT Tai Chi. It showed lots of sparks on "HOW TO WELD" Just what I need! :bouncing-ball: