Tai Chi: The Medical Benefits
Sean Zielinski
Southern New Hampshire University Tai Chi: The Medical Benefits
Tai Chi Ch’uan part of the Shaolin martial arts styles with influential bonds to the Buddhist monasteries, often shortened to Tai Chi, dates back to the 12th century. The ancient Chinese martial arts involves three primary aspects: Health, Meditation, and Martial Arts.
Tai Chi, although originally a martial arts, is now mainly practiced today as a form of exercise with a plethora of health benefits. It utilizes breathing, visualization, and movements that work the entire body at once. Tai Chi has been medically proven to substantially aid in the health promotion. Conducting Tai Chi on a regular basis will improve both physical …show more content…
Medical conditions included diabetes, arthritis, supportive treatment for cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Tai Chi has been shown to help each of these medical conditions through published test results. Those suffering from arthritis can perform Tai Chi because of the low impact movements placing little to no stress on the joints and muscles. (Work & Family Life, 2004, Vol 12) One Study conducted by Fransen M, Nairn L, Winstanley J, Lam P, Edmonds J. showed that Tai Chi was extremely beneficial to those with osteoarthritis. Fransen and colleagues published results for a controlled clinical trial of 152 participants comparing hydrotherapy vs. Tai Chi. Groups consisted of Hydrotherapy, Tai Chi, and a wait group, outcomes were measured after 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Results showed that the Tai Chi and hydrotherapy groups both had significant improvements in comparison to the wait group. Song R, Lee EO, Lam P, Bae SC published results of a 2007 12 week study exploring the effects of Tai Chi on the symptoms of osteoarthritis in women. The results showed that the Tai Chi group had significantly less joint pain and stiffness. (Song R, Lee EO, Lam P, Bae SC , J Rheumatol. 2003 Sep;30(9):2039-44) Tai Chi can be considered a safe alternative therapy and appears to have therapeutic benefits. (Kim, YH, …show more content…
Although both have parallel goals, a comparison of the benefits of Tai Chi and Yoga reveals remarkable differences. According to information provided by Harvard Publications, Tai Chi movements and meditation can improve arthritis, high blood pressure, and Parkinson’s disease symptoms while Yoga has been shown to reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, relieve pain throughout the body and help with depression. A study performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center showed that Tai Chi has been credited for helping to improve the balance of seniors as old as 92; it has also helped remove the fear of falling. Tai Chi consists of constant movements, one’s balance can benefit by learning to seamlessly flow from one movement to another. Yoga’s static poses, however, is a better choice for improving balance while standing still. By learning to evenly distribute your weight across your feet, one will drastically improve stability. With Tai Chi and Yoga done together, they can assist in the improvement of the quality of life for cancer and heart disease patients. Although both Tai Chi and Yoga use mind-body approach, you will want to try each before determining which will be best for
Sean Zielinski
Southern New Hampshire University Tai Chi: The Medical Benefits
Tai Chi Ch’uan part of the Shaolin martial arts styles with influential bonds to the Buddhist monasteries, often shortened to Tai Chi, dates back to the 12th century. The ancient Chinese martial arts involves three primary aspects: Health, Meditation, and Martial Arts.
Tai Chi, although originally a martial arts, is now mainly practiced today as a form of exercise with a plethora of health benefits. It utilizes breathing, visualization, and movements that work the entire body at once. Tai Chi has been medically proven to substantially aid in the health promotion. Conducting Tai Chi on a regular basis will improve both physical …show more content…
Medical conditions included diabetes, arthritis, supportive treatment for cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Tai Chi has been shown to help each of these medical conditions through published test results. Those suffering from arthritis can perform Tai Chi because of the low impact movements placing little to no stress on the joints and muscles. (Work & Family Life, 2004, Vol 12) One Study conducted by Fransen M, Nairn L, Winstanley J, Lam P, Edmonds J. showed that Tai Chi was extremely beneficial to those with osteoarthritis. Fransen and colleagues published results for a controlled clinical trial of 152 participants comparing hydrotherapy vs. Tai Chi. Groups consisted of Hydrotherapy, Tai Chi, and a wait group, outcomes were measured after 12 weeks and 24 weeks. Results showed that the Tai Chi and hydrotherapy groups both had significant improvements in comparison to the wait group. Song R, Lee EO, Lam P, Bae SC published results of a 2007 12 week study exploring the effects of Tai Chi on the symptoms of osteoarthritis in women. The results showed that the Tai Chi group had significantly less joint pain and stiffness. (Song R, Lee EO, Lam P, Bae SC , J Rheumatol. 2003 Sep;30(9):2039-44) Tai Chi can be considered a safe alternative therapy and appears to have therapeutic benefits. (Kim, YH, …show more content…
Although both have parallel goals, a comparison of the benefits of Tai Chi and Yoga reveals remarkable differences. According to information provided by Harvard Publications, Tai Chi movements and meditation can improve arthritis, high blood pressure, and Parkinson’s disease symptoms while Yoga has been shown to reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, relieve pain throughout the body and help with depression. A study performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center showed that Tai Chi has been credited for helping to improve the balance of seniors as old as 92; it has also helped remove the fear of falling. Tai Chi consists of constant movements, one’s balance can benefit by learning to seamlessly flow from one movement to another. Yoga’s static poses, however, is a better choice for improving balance while standing still. By learning to evenly distribute your weight across your feet, one will drastically improve stability. With Tai Chi and Yoga done together, they can assist in the improvement of the quality of life for cancer and heart disease patients. Although both Tai Chi and Yoga use mind-body approach, you will want to try each before determining which will be best for