| For many centuries the Chinese have practiced a | | | | conditions. Of course the Tai Chi to be practiced |
| health activity known as Tai Chi. They still do so | | | | should not impose sudden or stressful exercises |
| now and it is regarded as an important part of | | | | which might be detrimental. |
| the daily routine. | | | | Arthritis is another subject of relevance to Tai |
| Tai Chi is thought by historians to be a | | | | Chi. Practitioners of the art claim that the flowing |
| development of an ancient method of Chinese | | | | movements have a beneficial effect for arthritis |
| martial art. However there are doubts as to how | | | | sufferers, helping relief pain and improving joint |
| exactly it came about, but it seems most likely | | | | mobility. It is well established that arthritis can be a |
| that it originates from around the end of the ninth | | | | cause or contributing factor of back pain so |
| century. Very probably it had its beginnings in India | | | | relieving the condition can only be good. The |
| and was later taken up in China for the purpose | | | | therapy provided by Tai Chi is so satisfactory |
| of martial training and also as a beneficial form of | | | | that it should definitely be attempted as one of |
| exercise. Nonetheless there are those who believe | | | | the ways of dealing with arthritis and any related |
| that this ancient practice was devised by the | | | | back pain or sciatica; and also an means to help |
| Chinese themselves and that they did so above all | | | | avoid them developing. |
| for martial reasons. | | | | Tai Chi takes several different forms, but the |
| Whatever the truth, it can safely be said that Tai | | | | underlying philosophy of the art in all the different |
| Chi is not now of martial significance and that it is | | | | styles is that the practice stimulates natural |
| now undertaken merely as a means of exercise | | | | energy forces within the body, allowing it to |
| that is both involved and harmonious. To view | | | | regenerate its own essential healing powers which |
| exercises is to see something which is like a | | | | perhaps are no longer efficient due to age or |
| flowing ballet of movement and is a spectacle of | | | | lifestyle factors. The actual periods that some |
| beauty. The methodical postures and pronounced | | | | practitioners carry on their work out can last as |
| and careful stances of the participants are not | | | | much as an hour. However a shorter period of |
| forceful but relaxed. The exercises give them a | | | | some twenty minutes or so should deliver very |
| feeling of mental satisfaction as well as a sense of | | | | satisfactory benefits. |
| physical well being. | | | | Tai Chi should not be considered as a cure for |
| If you visit China you may well see many people | | | | back problems or sciatica on its own. Nor should it |
| doing Tai Chi exercises together in the mornings in | | | | be attempted by anyone actively suffering from |
| public parks and recreation areas. The art of Tai | | | | conditions such as a slipped disc or serious back |
| Chi is popular and this is not surprising bearing in | | | | sprain at present. Rather it is best to undertake it |
| mind the benefits that it brings. After the daily | | | | as part of a programe of activities and methods |
| session working day can be faced with the glow | | | | for alleviating these problems which can be difficult |
| that comes from and energised body and mind. | | | | to resolve. And of course it will be invaluable in |
| With regard to back pain and sciatica Tai Chi has | | | | helping you to continue in good health after any |
| points of particular importance. It has been | | | | serious pain has been disposed of. |
| demonstrated that by practicing the art, back | | | | For more information about lower back pain and |
| problems and the frequency with which they | | | | sciatica please visit lower-back-sprain |
| occur, can be greatly diminished. Of course much | | | | Please bear in mind that this article is for general |
| of the good results stem from the general | | | | information purposes only and is not medical |
| improvement in health and the better muscular | | | | advice about your health. If you have a medical |
| condition and control which it encourages. Greater | | | | condition or problem you should always consult |
| mobility, much better posture, and a feeling of | | | | your doctor as to the matter which may be |
| confidence will all result from the regular exercises | | | | more serious than you realize. |
| and these alone will aid recovery from many back | | | | |