| The pain of arthritis is caused by the inflammation | | | | random choice to a waiting group, a Tai Chi class |
| of the joints, and in some cases by the drying of | | | | or hydrotherapy, which they were to attend two |
| synovial fluids which cause the joint to literally rub | | | | days per week for one hour at a time. Twelve |
| bone on bone with minimal fluid to lubricate it. | | | | weeks later, a major improvement was shown |
| There is considerable pain involved in the more | | | | when measurements of pain and joint function |
| advanced cases, and often in the beginning stages | | | | were done. Another twelve weeks later, after |
| as well. Additionally the joints will become stiffened | | | | twenty four weeks, the increased joint function |
| and the range of motion is significantly reduced. | | | | and pain alleviation had continued, with no member |
| There is a significant myth regarding arthritis, | | | | worsening in their symptoms. |
| which is that it is a disease of the elderly; | | | | Tai Chi has been practiced in one form or another |
| however many very youthful people have the | | | | in China for many centuries. There are several |
| disease as well. The Juvenile Arthritis Foundation | | | | different varieties, or styles, with each being |
| estimates that nearly 300, 000 children have | | | | found suitable for use with those who have |
| arthritis in the United States. | | | | arthritis. Its five essential forms are:o Chen Styleo |
| Tai Chi originated in China where groups of people | | | | Yang Styleo Wu or Wu/Hao style of Wu |
| practice this martial art every morning in parks. It | | | | Yu-hsiang (Wu Yuxiang)o Wu style of Wu |
| is known to require internal power and strength. | | | | Ch'uan-yü (Wu Quanyuo) and Wu |
| Its name was derived from the mandarin term | | | | Chien-ch'uan (Wu Jianquan)o Sun style |
| "tai chi chuan" which means "supreme ultimate | | | | The benefits of Tai Chi and the reason for its |
| boxing." It was established as a branch of Neijia | | | | usefulness in arthritis seem to be the use of |
| which is a form of traditional Chinese martial arts. | | | | more gentle circular motions, rather than those |
| its techniques and movements have been | | | | which are jerky in orientation. Tai Chi utilizes |
| comprehensively described by its masters in the | | | | twelve primary movements that are repeated |
| Tai Chi Classics which is a set of writings. The | | | | innumerable times and can be done within three |
| Chinese believe that if one gets aware of the | | | | minutes. Several sources like books, videos and |
| ways in which Tai Chi can be used as | | | | websites are available that explain the Tai Chi |
| self-defense, it indicates that the individual is | | | | techniques. |
| well-learned in this martial art. | | | | Tai Chi seems to offer mild to moderate exercise |
| In the late 1990s a family practitioner who was | | | | which is beneficial to arthritis sufferers, while the |
| also a Tai Chi master, Dr Lam, using a team of | | | | circular motion assists in promoting increased |
| health care practitioners as well as Tai Chi | | | | range of motion. While it is not useful for |
| specialists developed a program of modified Tai | | | | everyone and is in fact a strenuous workout, it |
| Chi for use in the treatment and management of | | | | does seem to be effective in about 78% of |
| arthritis pain and stiffness. | | | | cases in which it was used for decreasing the pain |
| Studies showed that it reduced pain and improved | | | | of arthritis. Additional benefits are cardio-vascular |
| many other health aspects of the people who | | | | as well as weight reduction, which is very |
| were in the test group. | | | | important for pain control in arthritic patients. |
| Some physicians of the American Medical | | | | Control of stress by the use of exercise |
| community disclaimed the effects of the routine | | | | technique can also help to control the pain. The |
| and refused to consider the techniques. CNN | | | | health benefits from Tai Chi, in fact, seem to go |
| reported that Tai Chi did have benefits according | | | | far beyond simple pain reduction to many other |
| to the study but it was still too early to establish | | | | aspects of overall health. Tai Chi is relatively easy |
| concretely that Tai Chi is a healing technique. The | | | | to learn, and helps to promote good posture, a |
| reason for this was the claim of Dr. ChenChen | | | | holistic total body and mind integration and |
| Wang that the study design was flawed. | | | | improve the quality of life of those who suffer |
| Recently, additional testing has been done by | | | | from arthritis. |
| health researchers from the Sydney's Institute | | | | There are multiple forms of Tai Chi. Most of |
| for International Health, who concluded that Tai | | | | these are acceptable for use in arthritis pain |
| Chi, as well as another tested method | | | | reduction, however, it is imperative to find an |
| hydrotherapy can in fact aid in reducing, if not | | | | instructor who has been trained in working with |
| eliminating the pain and sometimes the stiffness | | | | people with special needs such as arthritis. As with |
| of arthritis. It was also seen to improve the range | | | | any other exercise regimen it is important to |
| of motion of the test subjects. This study | | | | discuss the planned exercise classes with a |
| examined 150 men and women above the age of | | | | physician or other health care provider prior to |
| 60 suffering who suffered from chronic arthritis. | | | | beginning the regimen to assure that it is suitable |
| It was led by Marlene Fransen and was posted in | | | | for total body condition and to decide whether or |
| the mid 2007 Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism. | | | | not Tai Chi will be effective and is suitable for a |
| The members of the group were assigned by | | | | particular form of arthritis. |