Tai Chi for Arthritis

In ancient times, practitioners of Chinese traditional medicine discovered that, performed slowly, the same components of Tai Chi that led to its success as an internal martial art, also held great therapeutic properties for the promotion and maintenance of health and well-being.

The combination of controlled movement in a state of relaxation, creates a ‘moving meditation’ exercise, making TC a safe form of complementary and alternative medicine that may be practised by people of all ages and abilities.

Many modern medical and scientific studies have been conducted on the benefit and effects of TC as a complimentary medicine for specific diseases and health related conditions. For those who suffer from arthritis, TC has been shown to offer positive health benefits.

In our experience at the Golden Lion Academy, we’ve found that apart from our TC programme for arthritis, our Dao Yin programme has also been very helpful.

Arthritis is a general term that includes about 150 different conditions that cause pain, stiffness and inflammation in one or more joints. It is known that some types of exercises, for example TC, can reduce some of the symptoms of arthritis and improve joint mobility and strength.

Benefits of Tai Chi for Arthritis

If you suffer from arthritis you'll be pleased to know that TC can offer the following benefits:

• Eases joint pain and stiffness and improves range of motion.
• May inhibit development of joint deformity.
• Develops muscular strength and endurance, assisting weakened joints.
• Improves flexibility.
• Improves posture.
• Reduces the effects of thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) by maintaining bone density through weight-bearing exercises.
• Assists in maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Is an effective program for stress management
• May reduce or alleviate many symptoms associated with arthritis such as pain and anxiety.

If you are interested in attending regular classes to help you with your arthritis, please call us on our central telephone number 9796-1066 for class times and fees or email us through our contact-us form.

Tai Chi, Arthritis and Depression

Medical science has established a link between depression and pain. For many people with arthritis who suffer from chronic depression, increased pain and reduced pain tolerance can impact negatively on coping ability and quality of life. Concurrently, the reverse situation may also occur, where the chronic symptoms of arthritis such as pain, sleep disruption, inability to perform activities of daily living, loss of enjoyment, may result in temporary or chronic depression.

Using a calm and relaxed state of mind, TC assists to relieve anxiety, improves concentration, heightens awareness, raises self-esteem and self-confidence, while promoting a sense of ‘completeness’ and well-being.

With regular practice, TC provides relief from depression, making it a safe and effective form of stress-management. See also Tai Ji Quan for Mental Health and Stress Management

Special Precautions

TC master Charles Tsui-Po of the Golden Lion Academy offers you some important advice and reminds you of the special precautions you must take during your TC exercise programme if you suffer from arthritis. So click on this link to learn more: Tai Ji Movements, Exercises and Arthritis - Special Precautions

Some References

Tai Chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Han A, Robinson V, Judd M, Taixiang W, Wells G, Tugwell P. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15266544?ordinalpos=14&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Group and home-based tai chi in elderly subjects with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. BrismÚe JM, Paige RL, Chyu MC, Boatright JD, Hagar JM, McCaleb JA, Quintela MM, Feng D, Xu KT, Shen CL. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17264104?ordinalpos=4& itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Exercise, education, and behavioral modification as alternative therapy for pain and stress in rheumatic disease. Yocum DE, Castro WL, Cornett M. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10680202?ordinalpos=20&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

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© Copyright Charles Tsui-Po 1971-2012. All Rights Reserved.
Golden Lion Tai Chi Dao Yin Chi Kung - Phone: 9796 1066
BERWICK: 29 Intrepid Street, Berwick 3806.
ROWVILLE: 2 Laser Drive, Rowville 3178.
MURRUMBEENA: 98 Murrumbeena Road, Murrumbeena 3163.
Melbourne, Australia.