The purpose of this page is to provide relevant current information on the health effects of the Martial Art Tai Chi
This months topic is culled from various sources & covers various topics
AARP magazine reports a member who started T'ai Chi Chih, a variation of Tai Chi Chuan, lost 38 pounds, normalized his blood pressure, and, with his doctor's blessing, cut his medication in half.
Natural Health magazine reported that Tai Chi Chuan can help improve glucose control for diabetics.
PubMed.gov reported a study: Tai Chi Chuan, health-related quality of life and self-esteem: a randomized trial with breast cancer survivors. The conclusion was: In this pilot investigation, the TCC group exhibited improvements in HRQL and self-esteem from baseline to 6 and 12 weeks, while the support group exhibited declines.
The Mayo Clinic states that tai chi may offer numerous benefits beyond stress reduction, including:
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Improving balance, flexibility and muscle strength
- Reducing falls in older adults
- Improving sleep quality
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving cardiovascular fitness in older adult
- Relieving chronic pain
- Increasing energy, endurance and agility
- Improving overall feelings of well-being
Last month's topic was Fibrmyalgia
Recent Studies Shows Tai Chi Improves Fibromyalgia. A new study has found that tai chi, may significantly reduce the spectrum of physical and mental problems associated with fibromyalgia. Click here to read more
There's a lot of buzz around this new study claiming Tai Chi Can Ease Fibromyalgia Symptoms.
Two month's ago the topic was Osteoarthritis
According to http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029102417.htm — Researchers from Tufts University School of Medicine have determined that patients over 65 years of age with knee osteoarthritis (OA) who engage in regular Tai Chi exercise improve physical function and experience less pain.
According to Harvard Medical School Healrth Publication In a 40-person study at Tufts University, presented in October 2008 at a meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, an hour of tai chi twice a week for 12 weeks reduced pain and improved mood and physical functioning more than standard stretching exercises in people with severe knee osteoarthritis.
Recently, a new study examined the effectiveness of Tai Chi in decreasing pain and disability and improving physical function and quality of life in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The study is published in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research
Research proves tai chi benefits for arthritis June 16, 2009 A new study by The George Institute for International Health has found Tai Chi to have positive health benefits for musculoskeletal pain. The results of the first comprehensive analysis of Tai Chi suggest that it produces positive effects for improving pain and disability among arthritis sufferers.
Previous month's topic was Diabetes
According to "Medical News Today" at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/102387.php The martial art of Tai Chi can improve Type 2 diabetes control, say researchers in Taiwan. This study was published 02 Apr 2008
According to Futurity-Jenny Leonard on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Click HERE for full article. In a study of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, those who participated in a supervised tai chi exercise program two days a week with three days of home practice for six months significantly lowered their fasting blood glucose levels
According to an article at HealthandAge.com, a small study, doing these ancient Chinese routines [Tai Chi and Qigong] can lead to significant alterations in blood chemistry that signal protection against type 2 diabetes.
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