Tai Chi Medical

Single Whip in Tai Chi Chuan

Tao — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:07:03 +0000

The Single Whip is a posture found in many forms of Tai Chi Chuan. (See Wikipedia). The stance and position of the arms will vary in the different forms of Tai Chi. There are also martial arts applications for fighting and self defense. Some example videos: Tai Chi Movements : Single Whip Tai Chi Movement [...]

Tai Chi versus brisk walking

Tao — Mon, 07 May 2012 03:58:14 +0000

Question : How does Tai Chi compare to a brisk walk for women aged 65 years or older? Answer : Tai Chi improved fitness in elderly women over a three month period. Tai Chi was better than brisk walking in improving lower extremity strength, balance and flexibility. Summary : Twenty-six sedentary healthy women aged 65 [...]

Tai Chi after a myocardial infaction

Tao — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:35:56 +0000

Question : Can Tai Chi reduce blood pressure after an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)? Answer : Tai Chi reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Summary : Following a myocardial infarction, 126 patients were randomly allocated to Tai Chi, aerobic exercise or a non-exercise support group. The patients were males with an average age [...]

Tai Chi and vestibular rehabilitation

Tao — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:06:55 +0000

Question : Can Tai Chi be used for vestibular rehabilitation to remedy balance impairment caused by damage to the peripheral vestibular system? Answer : Tai Chi improves lower extremity motor control which results in a more vigorous gait and better trunk control. Summary : 36 older adults (average age of 56.9 years) with vestibulopathy were [...]

Tai Chi and knee osteoarthritis

Tao — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:01:22 +0000

Question : Can tai chi be used treat knee osteoarthritis? Answer : This study will be completed by July 2009. Summary : Forty patients were randomly allocated to either Tai Chi or to attention control (wellness education and stretching). Patients participated in 60 minutes of Tai Chi sessions, twice a week, for 12 weeks. The [...]

Tai Chi for tension headaches

Tao — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 02:55:59 +0000

Question : Can Tai Chi improve quality of life measure and reduce tension headaches? Answer : Tai Chi improved health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) scores and reduced headache impact after 15 weeks. There was a high dropout rate in the Tai Chi group. Summary : 47 participants were randomly assigned to either a program of Tai Chi [...]

Tai Chi in rheumatoid arthritis

Tao — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 02:47:59 +0000

Question : Can eight weeks of Tai Chi help patients with rheumatoid arthritis? Answer : Not according to this pilot study but most preferred Tai Chi compared to physiotherapy. Summary : Fifteen women with rheumatoid arthritis aged 40 to 70 years participated in an eight week Tai Chi exercise program (adapted Sun style for patients [...]

Tai Chi and balance in men with osteoporosis

Tao — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:18:27 +0000

Question : Can Tai Chi improve balance? Answer : Tai Chi improved balance as measured by a Computer Posturographic System. Summary : A randomized controlled trial where 25 men over the age of 60 with osteopenia or osteoporosis were randomly assigned to a Tai Chi exercise group. Tai Chi was performed for 45 minutes, twice [...]

Tai Chi and falls in the elderly

Tao — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:05:37 +0000

Question : Can tai chi practice prevent falls in the elderly over a 12 month period? Answer : After 12 months, the risk of falls was not lower in the Tai Chi group. Summary : A randomized clinical trial where 269 elderly people were allocated to either Tai Chi training or to a control group [...]

Tai Chi and ankylosing spondylitis

Tao — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:56:32 +0000

Question : Can tai chi exercise improve disease activity, flexibility and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis? Answer : Tai Chi improved disease activity and flexibility in patients with ankylosing spondylitis but there was a high drop rate with only 13 patiens in the treatment group. Summary : Forty patients were allocated to either a [...]