OSTEOPOROSIS
Done regularly, tai chi can reduce the risk of falls and injury. It also may . . . prevent osteoporosis. One study even shows benefits in people with fibromyalgia.
-- Parade Magazine, May 3, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~
A study to evaluate the effects of tai chi consisting of group and home-based sessions in elderly subjects with knee osteoarthritis, found after six weeks of group tai chi followed by another six weeks of home tai chi training showed significant improvements in mean overall knee pain, maximum knee pain and the WOMAC subscales of physical function and stiffness.
-- Clinical Rehabilitation, 21, 99-111
Song, R., Lee, E., Lam, P. & Bae, S. (2003). Effects of tai chi exercise on pain, balance, muscle strength, and perceived difficulties in physical functioning in older women with osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial. .
Mean comparisons of the change scores revealed that the experimental group perceived significantly less pain in their joints and reported fewer perceived difficulties in physical functioning, while the control group showed no change or even deterioration in physical functioning after 12 weeks. In the physical fitness test, there were significant improvements in balance and abdominal muscle strength for the tai chi exercise group.
-- Journal of Rheumatology, 30, 2039-44
Click here for more detailed research on Bone Loss, Osteoporosis, Menopause and Tai Chi.
BELOW ARE PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH ON T'AI CHI BENEFITS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS
1. Qin, L., Au, S., Choy, W., Leung, P., Neff, M., Lee, K., Lau, M., Woo, J., & Chan, K. (2002). Regular Tai Chi Chuan exercise may retard bone loss in postmenopausal women: A case-control study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil JID - 2985158R, 83(10), 1355-1359.
2. Chan K, Qin L, Lau M, Woo J, Au S, Choy W, Lee K, Lee S. A randomized, prospective study of the effects of Tai Chi Chun exercise on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004; (85): 717-722.
OSTEOPOROSIS BENEFITS & T'AI CHI NON-PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH ARTICLES:
1. Henderson, N.K., White, C.P., & Eisman, J.A. (1998). The roles of exercise and fall risk reduction in the prevention of osteoporosis. [Review] [149 refs]. Endocrinology & Metabolism Clinics of North America, 27(2), 369-387.
2. Kessenich, C.R. (2002). Continuing education -- CE 282. Alternative therapies in osteoporosis. Nursing Spectrum (Washington, Dc/Baltimore Metro Edition), 12(10):14-6, 2002 May 20, 12(23 ref), 14-16.
3. Lane, J.M., & Nydick, M. (1999). Osteoporosis: current modes of prevention and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg JID - 9417468, 7(1), 19-31.
