New study shows tai chi improves arthritis

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 Arthritis is the No. 1 cause of disability. It is now a national health priority, according to the president of the Arthritis Foundation of Australia, Ita Buttrose. The overall financial cost of arthritis to business is around $9 billion annually. A newly published study has shown that the low-tech and low-cost ancient art of tai chi improves the condition by 29–35% within three months. 
 
Conducted by three Korean professors and a Sydney general practitioner with the collaboration of two universities and one major hospital, it is the largest randomized study of its kind. Based on the 12 forms of Sun-style tai chi (created by Dr Paul Lam and a team of tai chi and medical experts), the study found that after only 12 weeks, the arthritic symptoms, balance, and physical functioning of older women with OA were greatly improved.
 
The study has shown that after three months, patients have 35% less pain, 29% less stiffness, 29% more ability to perform daily tasks (like climbing stairs), as well as improved abdominal muscles and better balance.
 
The study is published in the September 2003 issue of “The Journal of Rheumatology.” (Abstract available online at 
http://www.jrheum.com/abstracts/abstracts03/2039.html)
 
The Arthritis Foundation of Australia has stated that arthritis affects more than 16.5% of Australians. This is probably too low in view of the first state-by-state survey of arthritis and chronic joint symptoms from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, October 2002. It shows that one in three American adults are affected.
 
Dr Paul Lam is a family physician in Sydney and a recognised world leader in the field of tai chi for health improvement. He has produced instructional videos and co- written the book “Overcoming Arthritis.” He has trained many leaders to teach this special tai chi program designed for people with all types of arthritis.