Tai Chi Anyone?

jojo03

Hi all - in an attempt to try and build some muscle strength up in my legs to help with my arthritic knees, I've been looking at Tai Chi for Arthritis DVDs. There are a couple of reviews for them, but they don't seem to have been reviewed by anyone who actually has arthritis! Does anyone here have any experience of trying Tai Chi, or anything similar, to build up muscle strength, and hopefully relieve pain?
My knees are beyond cylcing or going to the gym, so I'm looking for something a little more gentle to get me going!
Any exercise experiences you'd like to share will be glady received!
Jo.

josiec

Hi Jo,
My mum does tai chi and finds it very beneficial at maintaining flexibility, however we have discussed whether it would suit me (she doesn't have arthritis) and she felt that some of the moves would not be appropriate, or I just would not be able to do them. Is there a gym or a class nearby where there would be someone experienced who would be able to offer you some more specialist advice? Our bodies are usually pretty good at knowing what they can and can't do comfortably, aren't they, but of course you wouldn't want to aggravate anything or do moves that may cause you problems. Sorry I can't be of more help-just a thought!
Josie

elnafinn

Hi Jo

Cannot help you with the tai chi but an exercise I enjoy doing to strengthen the femur is to sit on a desk and swing my legs backwards and forwards, as if I were on a swing.

It was suggested to me to do this before I had my total knee replacement last January. The thigh bone needs to be strong to aid walking.

Just a suggestion, what suits one, does nothing for someone else

What about tai chi exercises in water? I am sure there are classes.

Elna x

greyheron

I have OA in my knees (left one replaced before Xmas) and in my experience I would be wary of Tai Chi.

Some years ago I was at a singers workshop where we were given a 'taster' of Tai Chi. I was rather put off by the instructor saying that when she first started Tai Chi her knees and ankles had been inflamed for a year!

Much more recently I did a 'taster' weekend of Alexander Technique, yoga and Tai Chi. I found the Tai Chi difficult and painful so dropped out quickly - there was a lot of moving the upper body with the knees bent and mine couldn't take it!

I hadn't heard that there was special Tai Chi for people with arthritis, in theory it ought to be OK but, as I say, I'd be wary.

Also, do be careful that any instructor / class you go to are knowledgeable re arthritis. At the yoga taster weekend I mentioned above, the instructor 'yanked' the leg of one lady when she was lying on the floor and inflamed an old back injury - so watch out!

Sorry to be so pessimistic but we do need to take care of ourselves.

Wendy

PS I use a little 'foot cycle' - you can get them in mail order catalogues - less demanding that a 'proper' cycle but they do aid flexibility and my physio approves !

joanlawson

Hi Jo
I would also be careful with Tai Chi. I went to classes for a while, but had to give it up because a lot of the moves are done with the knees bent. I had an excellent teacher and I enjoyed the meditation aspect of the class, but he told me that if I was getting pain in my knees, it was not suitable for me. This was before arthritis was diagnosed, so he must have suspected that something was wrong.
In my area, the doctor can refer you to exercise classes which are specially tailored to your needs. I have just been referred but have yet to attend a class, so I will reserve judgement.
All the best
Joan

jojo03

Hi all - thanks for all your comments, they've been very helpful. I think I might give the Tai Chi a miss for now. I actually read an article in the newspaper today which had a couple of muscle-strenghening exercises for people with arthritis in the knees, basically straightening and bending each leg in turn - nothing too strenuous!
Thanks again - it's good to get opinions from people who have their own experiences with arthritis.
Jo.

Wonkylegs

HI,

just seen this and want to put a more positive slant on Tai Chi for those of us with arthritis.

Firstly, there are many different styles of T'ai Chi, and they vary in their suitability for anyone with joint problems.

I do the LFA (lee family arts) style of Tai Chi, and have been doing so for nearly 18 months now. This style is particularly for health & wellbeing, and is a more gently form than some (so i understand - not had any experience of any other styles personally) They have a web site which you could find by searching LFA T'AI CHI

The most important thing is that it is all about listening to your own body, and only doing what you can do WITHOUT STRAIN. I was initially very wary, having had trouble with the exercise on prescription at the leisure centre. I spoke to the instructor first, and she is very insistant that no-one should ever do any moves which give them pain.

There are people in our class with back, hip, joint and heart problems, and we all do what we can. Sometimes i sit on a chair when others stand, or use a chair when floor exercises occur. There is always a variation of a movement, or a particular movement can be avoided.
When I was having physiotherapy on my neck, I learned which moves I could do safely, and only did them. There was never a problem with that.

I have never felt so at home in a class, and I have begun to build up the strength of my joints - particularly the knees and hips. It is also good fun and amazingly tiring without being energetic!!

hope that gives you the other side.
good luck with whatever you decide!

PS - personaly I would be wary of getting a DVD - an instructor can observe the way you move and correct any errors, whereas it is hard to do so on yourself until it is often too late!!!

grahamb

jojo03 wrote:

Hi all - in an attempt to try and build some muscle strength up in my legs to help with my arthritic knees, I've been looking at Tai Chi for Arthritis DVDs. There are a couple of reviews for them, but they don't seem to have been reviewed by anyone who actually has arthritis! Does anyone here have any experience of trying Tai Chi, or anything similar, to build up muscle strength, and hopefully relieve pain?
My knees are beyond cylcing or going to the gym, so I'm looking for something a little more gentle to get me going!
Any exercise experiences you'd like to share will be glady received!
Jo.

I used to do M/arts and a bit of Tai chi, i would not and could not do any of it now. I do not have Arthur to the degree some poor soles have it. But i do suffer very much and very often. Most of mine is in the upper parts, but my knees are pain full on the stairs, not all the time.
But to the above and what has been noted, there are moves that will be very hard to do, even if you did start slowly, for what you get, is more pain. I do still try and do some of the forms, (that is what they are called) and i do no about it after i have done them.
I am no doctor but keep it gentle and slowly, stop when you have had enough, i push my self far to much, in work and rest.
When i was first diagnosed, the doctors suggested golf, more for the walk, lungs legs and so on, but how many would just go for a walk, your not feeling to good so you do not go. But their idea was with golf you have some thing else to train your mind on, after a while the pain got to much, so i am back to start 1.

I do not think there is a easy answer, just do what you feel you can do, never mind what others may think about you.

Graham

jojo03

Hi, thanks again for your further comments.
I think I'll give the DVD a miss - I'm sure you're right that it would be better to go to a properly organised class. That's something I could look into.
It's great to have comments from people who have actually "been there, done that"!
Thanks again,
Jo.

taijimad

grahamb wrote:

jojo03 wrote:

Hi all - in an attempt to try and build some muscle strength up in my legs to help with my arthritic knees, I've been looking at Tai Chi for Arthritis DVDs. There are a couple of reviews for them, but they don't seem to have been reviewed by anyone who actually has arthritis! Does anyone here have any experience of trying Tai Chi, or anything similar, to build up muscle strength, and hopefully relieve pain?
My knees are beyond cylcing or going to the gym, so I'm looking for something a little more gentle to get me going!
Any exercise experiences you'd like to share will be glady received!
Jo.

I used to do M/arts and a bit of Tai chi, i would not and could not do any of it now. I do not have Arthur to the degree some poor soles have it. But i do suffer very much and very often. Most of mine is in the upper parts, but my knees are pain full on the stairs, not all the time.
But to the above and what has been noted, there are moves that will be very hard to do, even if you did start slowly, for what you get, is more pain. I do still try and do some of the forms, (that is what they are called) and i do no about it after i have done them.
I am no doctor but keep it gentle and slowly, stop when you have had enough, i push my self far to much, in work and rest.
When i was first diagnosed, the doctors suggested golf, more for the walk, lungs legs and so on, but how many would just go for a walk, your not feeling to good so you do not go. But their idea was with golf you have some thing else to train your mind on, after a while the pain got to much, so i am back to start 1.

I do not think there is a easy answer, just do what you feel you can do, never mind what others may think about you.

Graham

Hi Graham.

Have a look at the survey results shown on the following website.

http://easysuntaichi.org.uk

Is that any use to you?

taijimad

taijimad wrote:

grahamb wrote:

jojo03 wrote:

Hi all - in an attempt to try and build some muscle strength up in my legs to help with my arthritic knees, I've been looking at Tai Chi for Arthritis DVDs. There are a couple of reviews for them, but they don't seem to have been reviewed by anyone who actually has arthritis! Does anyone here have any experience of trying Tai Chi, or anything similar, to build up muscle strength, and hopefully relieve pain?
My knees are beyond cylcing or going to the gym, so I'm looking for something a little more gentle to get me going!
Any exercise experiences you'd like to share will be glady received!
Jo.

I used to do M/arts and a bit of Tai chi, i would not and could not do any of it now. I do not have Arthur to the degree some poor soles have it. But i do suffer very much and very often. Most of mine is in the upper parts, but my knees are pain full on the stairs, not all the time.
But to the above and what has been noted, there are moves that will be very hard to do, even if you did start slowly, for what you get, is more pain. I do still try and do some of the forms, (that is what they are called) and i do no about it after i have done them.
I am no doctor but keep it gentle and slowly, stop when you have had enough, i push my self far to much, in work and rest.
When i was first diagnosed, the doctors suggested golf, more for the walk, lungs legs and so on, but how many would just go for a walk, your not feeling to good so you do not go. But their idea was with golf you have some thing else to train your mind on, after a while the pain got to much, so i am back to start 1.

I do not think there is a easy answer, just do what you feel you can do, never mind what others may think about you.

Graham

Hi Graham.

Have a look at the survey results shown on the following website.

http://easysuntaichi.org.uk


Sorry, I should have said Hi jojo03- new to all this

However reading the previous comments, dont fall into the common misinformed trap of thinking Tai Chi is one thing or one set of exercises. Is American football, Australian rules football, soccer and rugby all the same? No!
Nieither is Tai Chi one thing. There are many very different styles. If you have arthritis you would be advised to stay away from Chen Style Tai Chi, other styles are better but by far the best is the Sun Family style usually with 97 or 98 postures, and shortened 42 and 13 posture versions of this even better. Almost as good (but not quite as good) as this, is the 73 posture Sun Competition routine from which Dr Lam copied his Tai Chi for Arthritis short routine.

Is that any use to you?

alibongo

Hi Jo.

I have just received the Tai Chi for arthritis DVD but haven't had chance to play it yet, I plan to play it through when I have more time at the weekend to see what is involved then if I think I am up to it will try it.

I also have problems with my knee which is not up to much exercise and my left thigh is a lot thinner than the right so think I am aiming for the same outcome as you building up the muscle in my leg.

I'll let you know how I get on after I have tried it (or not if it looks too difficult )

Alison.

denpen

Hi Jo
Click on "Living with Arthritis" at the top of this page and go into excercise it has a column on tai chi and excercises for arthritis.
Hope this will answer your questions.
Denise.

bailey27

Hi
I dont know much about Tai Chi specific for arthritis but what I do believe is that if it gets you moving your joints and helps you to feel better then it will be great for you.
Keep us updated with how it goes if you go ahead with it.

taijimad

joanlawson wrote:

Hi Jo
I would also be careful with Tai Chi. I went to classes for a while, but had to give it up because a lot of the moves are done with the knees bent. I had an excellent teacher and I enjoyed the meditation aspect of the class, but he told me that if I was getting pain in my knees, it was not suitable for me. This was before arthritis was diagnosed, so he must have suspected that something was wrong.
In my area, the doctor can refer you to exercise classes which are specially tailored to your needs. I have just been referred but have yet to attend a class, so I will reserve judgement.
All the best
Joan

Hi,
You say you had to give up Tai Chi classes because you had to bend your knees a lot. However you do not say what style of Tai Chi you were doing. Some styles do it with very low postures and very bent knees which is bad for knee problems. Others such as the Sun Style have a much more upright postures and only slight knee bending. That is why Tai Chi for Arthritis DVD is a shortened version of the Sun Style. Arthritis sufferers should study Sun Style Tai Chi. Exercise with slight knee bending is good as it strengthens the quad muscles which stabilise the knee joint.

Doctors in the UK cannot refer any one to Tai Chi because they are advised by the BMA only to refer patients to qualified or registered exercise providers to be covered by BMA insurance. For a Tai Chi instructor to be registered, a Tai Chi qualification must be recognised by a quango called Skills Active. In their ignorance Skills Active do not think Tai Chi is suitable as it is classed as a martial art and think referred patients to Tai Chi would be kicking and punching each other. This is a shameful ignorant attitude as many sufferers have thus been denied the most suitable exercise for their arthritis.
Few in a position to change this care about the situation, so it is doubtful if the wrong will ever be righted in the UK.