T'ai chi is the traditional Chinese exercise system that uses slow, smooth body movements to achieve a state of relaxation of both body and mind. This gentle, non-violent form of exercise which is partly derived from Chinese martial arts and Taoism (a Chinese philosophical system) consists of 108 complex, slow-motion movements that encourage mental and physical harmony.
Now, researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston have suggested that tai chi can effectively reduce pain and physical impairment in people who suffer from knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage and resulting in the development of bony spurs and cysts at the margins of the joints, mainly affecting middle age and older people. The disease primarily affects the knees, hands, hips, feet, and spine, causing pain and stiffness.
According to the study, presented at the meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco, tai chi helps reduce pain and improves the quality of life in individuals suffering from severe knee arthritis.
To reach their findings, Dr Chenchen Wang, MSc, Tufts Medical Center, Division of Rheumatology and lead investigator in the study and colleagues recruited a total of 40 patients who were on average 65 years in age and moderately overweight, and had knee OA for approximately 10 years.
The researchers divided the study participants, of whom 75 percent were female and 70 percent were Caucasian, into two groups. The first group performed tai chi for an hour twice a week for 12 weeks, while a similar group did the same amount of conventional stretching exercises over the same period.
Dr Wang and colleagues found a significant improvement in physical function and overall health of those who did Tai chi. Those who did tai chi also experienced greater pain reduction and less depression
define, the researchers said.
“Tai chi mind-body exercise appears to provide an important approach for self-care and self-management for knee OA,” said Dr Wang.
Though the findings of the novel stud are of much significance, Dr Wang said these results should be confirmed by future large studies.
More than 21 million Americans have osteoarthritis today, experts say, and the figure is expected to grow rapidly as baby boomers age and U.S. people in general continue to gain weight.
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