Arthritis is defined as an inflammation of one or more joints.  In the United States, arthritis and its many types comprise the most frequently-occurring chronic illnesses among its people.  There are over 100 identified types of arthritis, the most common of which are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joint which is caused by the normal wear and tear of the joint’s supporting structures, specifically the cartilage.  At times, an injury to the joint could lead to the development of osteoarthritis too. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a result of an immune system that has gone haywire – it started attacking the structures located inside its own body – resulting to inflamed joints as well.  This is also the case for patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus.  Other reasons for the development of arthritis are hereditary, infections and metabolic abnormalities.

The symptoms of arthritis are often uncomfortable.  A person may experience pain, joint stiffness, difficulty performing normal activities of daily living, joint swelling resulting to movement restriction, and many more.  These symptoms are aggravated by factors like stress, cold environment, and prolonged immobilization among others.  Needless to say that the symptoms associated with arthritis has a direct effect on the person’s quality of life.

People from the health care sector recognize the need to alleviate these troubling symptoms.  More and more studies are conducted, in the hope of finding a safer and more effective form of intervention for arthritis sufferers.  One such study involved the use of a Tai Chi program as a treatment option.

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is an ancient art that uses slow, flowing, graceful movements in order to help achieve a healthy mind and a healthy body.  The way that it is practiced nowadays, perhaps the best way to describe Tai Chi is that it is an exercise done in a meditative way – a combination of meditation and a moving form of doing yoga. People who practice Tai Chi operates in the belief that doing such movements helps in allowing a ‘vital form’ of energy to circulate within the body, thereby enhancing a person’s vitality and health.

The movements in Tai Chi, although slowly and gracefully done, are precise and well-executed.  Some form of concentration is needed in order to do these movements correctly.  This helps cultivate a tranquil and calm mind, while promoting good posture, balance, and bodily alignments at the same time. Thus, practicing Tai Chi can contribute to a person’s ability to move, run, walk and stand better.

Tai Chi and Arthritis

A large scale study was conducted on the participants of the Tai Chi program of the Arthritis Foundation in order to monitor the effects of tai chi when it comes to improving stiffness, pain and fatigue levels.  The participants were also assessed based on their sense of well-being.  The largest study thus far discovered that participants in the Tai Chai program showed improvement in stiffness, fatigue, and pain.  The participants also exhibited improvement in their sense of well-being and the ability to reach while keeping balance.  This is according to Leigh Callahan, PhD, the lead author of the study.  Callahan is a member of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center of the University of North Carolina.  He is also an associate professor at UNC’s Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

Furthermore, Callahan stated that the results of their study shows that, for those who are into Tai Chi, there exists significant health benefits especially for people diagnosed with almost types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.  This is true for both urban and rural settings across the state.  These results will be presented by Callahan on the American College of Rheumatology’s annual scientific meeting which will be held in Atlanta.

The study involved 354 recruited participants coming from 20 sites in New Jersey and North Carolina. In order to be considered as eligible participant in the study, a person should have arthritis that was self-reported and was diagnosed by the doctor.  Minimum age limit was set at 18 years old, and the person must still be able to function independently without the need for assistance.  Of course, they should be able to perform Tai Chi – not in a standing position – but sitting.

The participants were divided into two groups, assigned in a random manner.  One group is the intervention group whose participants received Tai Chi course immediately for 8 weeks, done two times a week.  The other group, known as the control group, received delayed Tai Chi courses.  Baseline data were gathered prior to the study such as physical function, activities of daily living performance, stiffness, fatigue and reported pain. They were then subjected to follow-up evaluations after the duration of the study. It was found that participants who received Tai Chi intervention reported moderate improvement in stiffness, fatigue and pain.  They also had improved balance or reach, and a generally good sense of well being.

Reasons Why You Should do Tai Chi

Since Tai Chi can be considered as a form of stretching and physical exercise, albeit slowly performed, it certainly poses health benefits to the body.  The movements are subtle, gentle and low impact so strength is not really a requirement.  It is generally considered safe, but starting a program should have the consent of your doctor, especially if you have problems with your spinal column, joints, heart and bones.  Once you have the go signal, you are good to go.

To further nail in home, Tai Chi is inexpensive. You can even find some groups doing free sessions at the park. What better way to help keep your mind and body in top shape?  If that is not enough to convince you, here are more reasons for you to try doing Tai Chi:

• It reduces stress
• It helps alleviate depression and anxiety
• It improves posture, flexibility, and balance
• It reduces incidence of falls in the geriatric population
• It improves the sense of well-being
• It increases agility, endurance and energy
• It is good for the heart
• It helps keep your blood pressure at bay
• It improves the quality of sleep

Help for Arthritis Sufferers

Now that you know that Tai Chi, among other forms of exercises, can help relieve pain associated with arthritis.  Then you should also know that you can also be pain-free with the help of foods and spices.

• There are fruits, vegetable and spices that are considered to be anti-arthritic.  Examples of which are pineapples, spinach, fenugreek, turmeric, ginger and garlic.
• Drinking two teaspoons of Castor oil infused with one teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water before bedtime can help reduce pain.
• Drinking tea made from black cohosh root two times a day for three weeks can help relieve pain.  Just remember to give it a rest period of 7 to 10 days before starting all over again.
• One tablespoon of the herb Angelica archangelica, boiled in two cups water, and drank thrice a day helps alleviate pain.  Remember not to drink it too hot.
• External application of red or cayenne pepper to the painful joint can also help.

Sources
naturalhealth-supplements.com
medicinenet.com
mayoclinic.com
chebucto.ns.ca
eurekalert.org