Tai Chi Chuan: Encyclopedia II - Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a health practice and a form of traditional Chinese medicine

Tai Chi Chuan - T'ai Chi Ch'uan as a health practice and a form of traditional Chinese medicine

Researchers have found that long-term T'ai Chi practice had favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls in elders. The studies also reported reduced pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects. Other studies have indicated improved cardiovascular and respiratory function in healthy subjects as well as those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients also benefited from T'ai Chi who suffered from heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Tai Chi has also been shown to reduce the symptoms of young Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) sufferers. Tai Chi's gentle, low impact, movements surprisingly burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill skiing. Tai Chi also boosts aspects of the immune system's function very significantly, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of anxiety, depression, and overall mood disturbance. (See research citations listed below.)

Tai Chi Chuan - Citations to medical research

• Wolf SL, Sattin RW, Kutner M. Intense T'ai Chi exercise training and fall occurrences in older, transitionally frail adults: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003 Dec; 51(12): 1693-701. PMID 14687346
• Wang C, Collet JP, Lau J. The effect of Tai Chi on health outcomes in patients with chronic conditions: a systematic review. Arch Intern Med. 2004 Mar 8;164(5):493-501. PMID 15006825
• Search a listing of articles relating to the FICSIT trials and T'ai Chi [1]
• Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T.M., & Thimas, E. (2001). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: benefits from Tai Chi. Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies, 5(2):120-3, 2001 Apr, 5(23 ref), 120-123
• Calorie Burning Chart [2]
• Tai Chi boosts T-Cell counts in immune system [3]
• Tai Chi, depression, anxiety, and mood disturbance (American Psychological Association) Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 1989 Vol 33 (2) 197-206
• A comprehensive listing of Tai Chi medical research links [4]

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