Tai Chi helps preserve cognitive function

Studies over the past two decades show that the brain can grow and make new connections over our lifetime and that exercise can promote this process.

Recent meta-analysis of 20 studies on Tai Chi and cognition indicate that “Tai Chi appears to improve executive function—the ability to multitask, manage time, and make decisions—in people without any cognitive decline. In those with mild cognitive impairment, tai chi slowed the progression to dementia more than other types of exercise and improved their cognitive function in a comparable fashion to other types of exercise or cognitive training.”

The practice of Tai Chi out performs other forms of intervention such as walking or social interaction in improving cognitive ability and increasing brain volume.

From Harvard Health:  A Sharper Mind: Tai Chi Can Improve Cognitive Function

Image: © kali9 | Gettyimages

Tai Chi Helps Seniors Avoid Dangerous Falls

After a fall, many Seniors feel apprehensive about resuming their normal activities for fear of falling again.  Curtailing normal activities and exercise results in a loss of balance and strength, which only makes a person more vulnerable to another serious fall.

The National Council on Aging recognizes 14 exercise programs that may help people regain their lost balance and reduce the chances of falling again.  One of the most effective is Tai Chi.

  Part of the benefit of many fall prevention programs is the exercise they provide. But not all exercise is equal. In a study of 670 adults age 70 or older who had fallen at least once in the last year, tai chi adapted for fall prevention was more effective than a generic exercise program or a stretching routine. Adults who practiced tai chi 2 hours per week for 6 months were 31% less likely than those in the exercise group to fall again and 58% less likely to fall than those in the stretching group.

According to Peter Harmer, PhD at Willamette University,  “Tai Chi Chuan starts to reactivate the neuromuscular pathways that underpin your ability to control your body as it falls through space. ”

WebMd: Adding Tai Chi Helps Seniors Avoid Dangerous Falls

 

Thanks to Sue O. for submitting this link!

 



Tai Chi Beats Stretching & Aerobic Exercises for Relief from Fibromyalgia Pain

As reported in the New York Times (2010), a clinical trial at Tufts Medical Center and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that after 12 weeks of tai chi, patients with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, did significantly better in measurements of pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression than a comparable group given stretching exercises and wellness education. Tai chi patients were also more likely to sustain improvement three months later.

It’s easy to see why Tai Chi helps with this condition. Fibromyalgia sufferers report pain points shown in the image above (from MedicineNet.com). Tai Chi targets those exact areas–the base of the skull, the shoulders, the hips, and knees.

Chenchen Wang from Tufts University, says it’s time to rethink our approach to therapy for Fibromyalgia:

  Despite the well established benefits of aerobic exercise as a core standard treatment for fibromyalgia, patients in our trial had difficulty adhering to the aerobic exercise programme. This may not be surprising—many patients with fibromyalgia find performing and adhering to exercise programs hard. Complaints such as “the floor is too hard,” “I cannot stand this,” “I’m too tired,” or “I’m in too much pain” were common. Despite encouragement by study staff, many participants missed classes, and attendance was lower than in the tai chi group. In contrast, people from the tai chi group continue to call our office looking for opportunities for tai chi training now that the study has ended. What we found suggests that patients may be more likely to enjoy, manage, and continue to practice tai chi, perhaps because it involves gentle, low impact movements with minimal side effects.  

Post submitted by J. J. Rein, Assistant Instructor

Why Tai Chi Is As Good for You As Crossfit

Tai Chi hands holding healthy heartFrom TIME Health: Studies are showing that Tai Chi is as beneficial physically as more more strenuous types of exercise.

It appears that the mental focus on the mind-body connection when coupled with exercise itself enhances immune response, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, balance and reaction time.

TIME Health: Tai Chi As Effective As Crossfit

Post submitted by Gwen N.