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"In the midst of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."

- Alert Camus








Sunday, March 11, 2012

Tai Chi


Tai Chi & Resistance Training May Help with Parkinson’s Symptoms

By on February 10, 2012
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that practicing the meditative Chinese martial art tai chi may help alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms, and resistance training might also help with certain aspects of the disease. The study, conducted by scientists from the Oregon Research Institute, compared three different types of interventions in the study. One group practiced tai chi, another did resistance training, while the third stretched in a classroom setting. The interventions were practiced twice a week for an hour each time.
Following twenty four weeks of this training regimen, the research team found that those in the tai chi group had improved strength, balance, reach, and control of movement. The resistance training group had some gains, but the gains were not as large as the tai chi group. Both the tai chi group and the resistance training group experienced fewer falls than the stretching group.
This study is not a huge surprise, as it builds on previous research in this general area. For example, a recent study in Age Ageing demonstrated that tai chi can improve balance and proprioception in visually impaired adults over 70. Tai chi has been proven to be effective for pain management as well. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that tai chi may also ease pain in fibromyalgia sufferers. Another study showed that tai chi can be effective for managing lower back pain.
If you are interested in finding a tai chi class, you may want to try the list at the World Tai Chi Day website.

 
 
 
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