Tai Chi and Qi Gong for Arthritis – a generic discussion
For many people suffering from arthritis, exercise is the last thing they wish because of painful and stiff joints. However, exercise plays a crucial role in managing arthritis. It helps improve the circulation of blood and body fluids to the muscles, tissues, and joints; this helps facilitate mobility and healing.
Exercise programs for people with arthritis should include:
· Flexibility, stretching and range-of-motion exercises to reduce stiffness.
· Joint rotational exercises to lubricate and strengthen the joints, prevent degeneration of the joints due to non-usage.,
· Light resistance training exercises to strengthen the muscles and help protect and stabilize the joints
· Low-impact aerobic exercise to strengthen the heart and lungs and to help promote weight loss and reduce strain on the joints.
The slow, deliberate, circular movements and postures of Tai Chi and Chi Kung, combined with deep breathing, can strengthen the muscles and ligaments, increase range of motion, reduce stiffness, lubricate the joints, increase circulation, relax the mind and body, and provide relief from chronic pain.
A specifically designed program of daily Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises that includes adequate amounts of the above types of exercises is suitable for most arthritic patients because it has all the requirements for helping and managing arthritis.
The Arthritis Foundation’s Guide to Alternative Therapies reports the following:
· Tai Chi is safe and beneficial for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
· People suffering from fibrobmyalgia report significant improvements in depression, coping skills, pain, and overall functioning through practicing Qi Gong and Tai Chi.
· Tai Chi significantly reduces the risk of falling for seniors.
Written by John Chow, a practitioner
of Chinese medicine, acupuncturist, masseur, healer and teacher of martial arts
and spiritual paths in
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copied in any form without the permission from the author. For further information on this article,
please contact John Chow
at vajra_master@yahoo.com.
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The information provided above is
for general reference only. Although the author(s) has attempted to be
as thorough as possible in compiling the information in this article(s), no legal responsibility nor
liability is accepted for any errors or omissions. The information is presented
for educational purposes only. Please refer any medical matter to your doctor
before acting on any health-related information.