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The ancient Chinese dance-like practice of tai chi is a meditative movement form that provides many health benefits, and there is evidence that it helps people living with chronic pain conditions.
“Tai chi should
be called "medication in motion.”
BENEFITS
OF TAI CHI
Bill
Douglas, author of the best-selling tai chi book, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide
to Tai Chi and Qigong”, developer of the Kansas University “Stress
Reduction Program,” and founder of
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is considered a Tai Chi and Qigong expert. In an
interview, Bill tells Dr. Andrew Weil—on benefits— “students often comment
about feeling a great sense of well-being, a sense of 'being here and now' rather than scattered and anxious. I’ve heard students say after a class that
they feel like they just had a day at the spa.” He also tells Dr. Weil, "Many
students also talk about relief from chronic pain."
Tai
Chi:
1.
relieves
stress
2.
promotes
muscle health
3.
promotes
flexibility
4.
gently
stretches tender, contracted muscles
5.
promotes
strength and improves joint function
6.
circulates
lymph fluid important to boosting immune function
7.
improves
balance
8.
provides
positive feedback to our brain
9.
moves
our focus away from pain
A
2016 meta
analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials found tai chi is a viable
complementary and alternative medicine for chronic pain conditions. And, a recent study (March
21, 2018) suggests tai chi is at least as beneficial for fibromyalgia as
aerobic exercise, possibly more.
TYPES
OF TAI CHI
The
several styles of tai chi are named after the surname of their founder. The
oldest style is Chen. Tai Chi Chen consists of low stances and powerful
movements. The Yang family first became involved in the study of Tai Chi Chuan,
which is the most common form of tai chi practiced in the west. Other
forms include Wu, Hoa, and Sun style, though the Hoa style is seldom practiced
today. You may also find combination styles of tai chi, which incorporate
movements from more than one approach.
chi=
qi = ki = prana: Traditional Chinese medicine refers to our vital energy force
as chi or qi. Japanese call it ki, and it is known as prana in the ayurvedic
medical tradition of India.
Each tai chi style has something different to offer based on the teacher’s approach.
TAI
CHI FOR YOU
It's important that we know what type of tai chi is right for us. Our choice should align with our physical abilities and goals and never feel stressful, quite the opposite.
Each tai chi movement has purpose and a symbolic meaning. For instance, as we sink into our body we are opening our joints and relieving stress while building strength. The slow purposeful and graceful movements of tai chi give us the opportunity to make a mental and spiritual connection with our body and let the healing energy of chi heal our body, mind, and spirit.
Each tai chi movement has purpose and a symbolic meaning. For instance, as we sink into our body we are opening our joints and relieving stress while building strength. The slow purposeful and graceful movements of tai chi give us the opportunity to make a mental and spiritual connection with our body and let the healing energy of chi heal our body, mind, and spirit.
Easy Tai Chi Lesson from Bill Douglas
It’s
important to experience movement and meditation for our health and practicing Tai Chi is a great way to do both. It is less likely to trigger a flare and it helps those of
us with physical limitations stay as active and healthy as possible. Tai chi is
one of my personal tools to combat physical and mental stress.
See what I have to say about tai chi in an interview I did for US News and World Report in "9 Strategies for Coping with Fibromyalgia."
See what I have to say about tai chi in an interview I did for US News and World Report in "9 Strategies for Coping with Fibromyalgia."
AFTER
WORDS
Bill
Douglas, wrote the foreword to our book (co-author Jeff Miller, PhD) Broken
Body Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, Winter Devotions
and he had this to say inside the cover of our book Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia,
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection:
“This
integrative holistic approach to these conditions is what is needed throughout
medicine today. Empowering us to become part of our own health and healing
process is such a powerful approach to these conditions or any others. I
applaud the authors, and hope they inspire others to follow their lead.
Additional
Reading
In healing,
Celeste Cooper, RN / Author, Freelancer, Advocate
Think adversity?-See opportunity!
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
Learn more about
Celeste’s books here. Subscribe
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2 comments:
I think I've had fibromyalgia for many years but was diagnosed approximately 5 years ago. I was working at Walmart and was just exhausted. Not the tiredness that sleep helps. I mean totally exhausted, with muscle pain. My primary doctor diagnosed fibromyalgia. He prescribed Cymbalta around 4 years ago. Cymbalta was approved for Fibromyalgia treatment. Although it did relieve some of the pain, I still suffered from fatigue. November 2017 my doctor started me on Natural Herbal Gardens fibromyalgia Herbal mixture,With the help of Natural Herbal Garden natural herbs I have been able to reverse my symptoms using diet, herbs, which i feel has made the most difference. The Fibromyalgia natural formula immensely helped my condition, it reversed my Fibromyalgia. my muscle pain. And then the joint stiffness, and fatigue. gradually disappeared. Visit NATURAL HERBAL GARDENS via their official web-site www. naturalherbalgardens. com. and i turned 69 today. i am glad to get my life back, I will keep sharing awareness DON’T GIVE UP HOPE!!!
So happy for you Jessica. I encourage you to check out ProHealth for your immune health support. They not only offer information on why certain supplements help us and offer special formulations for us, they also contribute part of their proceeds to research on FM and ME/CFS. They are also now contributing to the Lyme's Disease community. They are the cream of the crop in my opinion. Here is a link for you. https://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia
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