4 conditions that can benefit from Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice that has long been thought of as meditation with movement. It is a way of moving your body very slowly in order to stretch muscles, improve strength and encourage energy to flow throughout your core and limbs. It is valuable for treating many health problems, including the following conditions.

• A study at Tufts University in 2008 showed that a one-hour practice of Tai Chi twice a week over the course of three months improved mood and reduced pain in people with severe arthritis.
• Tai Chi helps improve physical functioning and gives people suffering from arthritis pain improved mobility and flexibility.
• It is also helpful in reducing inflammation in swollen joints, one of the more painful symptoms of arthritis.

• Tai Chi has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients with breast cancer.
• A study at the University of Rochester in Medicine and Sport Science showed that Tai Chi improved mood, strength, flexibility and overall quality of life in women who did 12 weeks of Tai Chi.
• It has also been shown to help women dealing with breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

• Fibromyalgia is a common disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system.
• It typically causes a high amount of pain and symptoms that can impair physical functioning.
• There is no cure for Fibromyalgia, but Tai Chi has been shown to greatly reduce symptoms.
• A MedicineNet study reported that in a group of 39 subjects who practised Tai Chi regularly for six weeks all showed improved health and quality of life. They also reported easing of muscle pain and improved motor coordination.

• No matter how old we are or what our health condition is, stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds in many ways.
• Tai Chi focuses on movements that require meditative states and breathing, as well as movement and mental concentration that is similar to a style of meditation proven to help with stress reduction.
• It can provide a welcome and calming distraction from the stress you may feel in your daily life.
• Stress has been linked to many serious disorders and diseases, including GI problems, anxiety, depression, heart disease and more, so doing activities that reduce the stress in your life can be very beneficial to your overall health.