For the uninitiated, tai chi may be a little daunting. The ancient Chinese exercise is hardly as mainstream as aerobics or the treadmill, but with its gentle, fluid movements and proven health benefits, it’s a natural arthritis workout.
Matthew Bosman, 38, started taking tai chi classes after back surgery, as well as psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis, left him unable to continue his vigorous gym workout routine.
“I was looking for something that was low-impact and not going to hurt,” says Bosman of Palm Springs, Calif., who now takes two 45-minute tai chi classes each week. “Tai chi is very calming and peaceful. I’m really skeptical about talking about chakra and all that, but it gives you a better energy.”
Tai chi also offers plenty of other benefits. Recent studies have found that the slow, graceful exercise, which originated several thousand centuries ago as a martial art, can improve balance, reduce stress and offer arthritis pain relief.
A study released last fall by researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston found that tai chi can specifically reduce the pain and physical impairment of people with severe knee osteoarthritis.
Those results were no surprise to one of the biggest proponents of tai chi for people with arthritis, Dr. Paul Lam, a family physician in Sydney, Australia. Dr. Lam developed arthritis as a teenager growing up in China when malnourishment caused cartilage development problems. He began practicing tai chi to ease his arthritis pain, eventually modifying the popular Sun style of tai chi to make it easier for people with arthritis.
“A lot of people with arthritis didn’t know they can do tai chi,” he says. “Even though the Sun style is slow and gentle, it does have high-risk moves as well. That’s why we modified it. We took the part that was more effective for healing and put in modification so that anyone could do it.”
Dr. Lam’s 12-step course is the basis for the Arthritis Foundation tai chi program, which includes classes led by trained experts (contact a local Arthritis Foundation office for information on classes near you) and is also available as a DVD for at-home practice (“Tai Chi for Arthritis,” $19.95-$29.95). No special equipment is required, just comfortable clothing, patience and an open mind.
Betty Broderick, 67, of Cathedral City, Calif., acknowledges that she and her classmates might have looked silly when they were first learning their tai chi poses. “When we’re in a room with mirrors, you can actually see how dorky you look,” she says, admitting she prefers when the instructor takes the students outdoors for class.
But awkwardness aside, Broderick credits regular tai chi classes for lessening pain from knee osteoarthritis and a long bout with polymyalgia rheumatica. “I can do things I didn’t think were possible before,” she says, happy that she can now take long walks and be on her feet without having to stop because of aching joints. “I can’t say enough about tai chi. It changed my life.”
Get a taste of tai chi. Watch excerpts from Dr. Lam's "Tai Chi for Arthritis" video.
Want to know more? Read a Q&A with Arthritis Foundation tai chi instructor Norma Castle.
To become an instructor, contact your local office to find out when the next Arthritis Foundation tai chi program instructor training workshop will be held.
I am interested in learning Tai Chi for Arthritis. Where can I find a class in Louisville, Kentucky. Preferable the 40241 zip code area.
Thanks.
for the tai chi for arthritis in the queens
new york area
thank
you.
Dr.Suresh Kr Agarwal,
President,Indian Board of Alternative Medicines
80,Chowringhee Road,Kolkata 700020,India.
http://www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php
To order the Tai Chi DVD:
Simply click on the words "Tai Chi for Arthritis" in the story above.
Thanks,
The Editors
Arthritis Today
Where are you hiding the information?
I thought that info was going to be on the website. Thanks, B. Ifill
I agree that this part of the magazine needs dramatic changes, as I have found this to be true with every article that I research through the web site.
Please let me know where I can get the DVD.
Otherwise, I greatly enjoy the magazine.
thanks/
Most comments are about knee pain/relief. I have RA shoulder pain result of bone on bone
Thanks for comments
I'm an editor for www.ArthritisToday.org. Thanks for all your comments. We're working to make the site more user-friendly.
For those looking to locate an Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program near you, or any other Foundation program, it is best to contact your local Foundation chapter. You can find your local chapter by entering your zip code in the space provided on the following link:
http://www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php
Thanks,
Bryan
How can I order the Tai Chi DVD?
In 2001 I was in constant pain from osteo in both kness and looking at replacements. Currently I am pain free, I have postponed the knee replacements, and now my doctor has told me I do not need replacements, and to keep doing 'tai chi'
The Arthritis Foundation has a wonderful program that can really help you to manage the pain, improve stability and reduce stress.
Give it a try!
www.taichiproductions.com where many certified instructors are listed in USA by State and City.
It is a compliment to the AF site; some instructors will be listed on both sites, some on only one or the other; but all instructors are trained by the Dr Lam's Master Trainers.
Some of us have difficulty with computers in the first place.
Thanks, Julie
I'm the lifestyle editor for Arthritis Today. Thanks for your comments. You can find an Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi class near you, learn more about the DVD or see video samples of some of the tai chi moves in the "Related Features" links along the right-hand side of this page.
Thanks again,
Bryan
I am Medical Physician with Holistic Health
need to learn more about Tai Chi under your
supervision. To do more for society for overall
healing aspects.
Looking forwards from you to open centre, programme, training class.
prakash
MBBS,DOS,DMCW,DPH,PGDHH.
Diploma in optical science,Maternity-Child
Welfare,Public-Health,Holistic-Health
looking forward to hearing from you.
in zipcode:10016
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