Tai Chi Easy™ may offer help to the millions of people impacted by knee arthritis.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major contributor to disability affecting 13 percent of women and 10 percent of men over age 60 (Zhang 2010). Knee OA significantly impacts movement, daily tasks and decreases quality of life and has psychological impacts (Mahir et al 2010).
The good news is that there is help for the pain and other negative symptoms associated with knee OA.
In a study with 204 patients, Tai Chi, twice weekly, for 12 weeks reduced knee OA pain similarly to standard physical therapy. Additionally, tai chi improved depression and physical quality of life in study participants (Wang et al 2016). “Tai Chi reduces pain and improves physical function, self-efficacy, depression, and health-related quality of life for knee OA.” (Wang et al 2009)
Tai Chi Easy is gentle, adaptable and easy for anyone to do. Community-based practices are available all over the US with some available in Ireland and India. The practice is inexpensive and could help with your knee pain. Look for a Tai Chi Easy™ and Qigong practice near you at this link https://hewf.memberclicks.net/practice-groups.
We hope to see you at a practice soon!
Your Friends at Healer Within Foundation
References
Zhang Y, Jordan JM. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis. Clin Geriatr Med. 2010 Aug;26(3):355-69. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920533/
Mahir L, Belhaj K, Zahi S, Azanmasso H, Lmidmani F, El Fatimi A. Impact of knee osteoarthritis on the quality of life. Ann of Physical and Rehab Med. 2016 Sept; v59(sup):e159. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877065716304365
Wang C, Schmid CH, Hibberd PL, Kalish R, Roubenoff R, Rones R, McAlindon T. Tai chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Care & Research. Oct 29 2009. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.24832
Wang C, Schmid CH, Iversen MD, Harvey WF, Fielding RA, Driban JB, Price LL, Wong JB, Reid KF, Rones R, McAlindon T. Comparative Effectiveness of tai chi versus physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Ann Inter Med. 2016 Jul 19; 165(2): 77-86. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960454/