Tai Chi Helps Fibromyalgia Patients Feel Better

AUGUST 2010�People with fibromyalgia, a condition marked by chronic pain and fatigue, have reported less discomfort and better mood after doing tai chi, according to a study in the August 19 issue of New England Journal of Medicine.

The study, conducted by researchers at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, involved 66 fibromyalgia patients. Half of the participants attended hour-long tai chi sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The others took wellness education classes followed by stretching sessions.

At the study�s end, those in the tai chi group felt less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue. They also reported improvements in sleep and physical conditioning. �It was incredible. You could see them change every week,� says study leader Chenchen Wang, MD, an associate professor in Tuft�s rheumatology department. These benefits held steady after an additional 12 weeks.

Long practiced in China as a martial art, tai chi�s gentle, deliberate movements have made it a popular fitness option at community centers and senior residences.

Research has linked regular tai chi practice to improved posture, flexibility, cognitive function, mood and sleep.

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition that affects about 10 million Americans, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. In addition to pain and fatigue, it is marked by the presence of tender points�specific spots that become more painful when pressed�and such psychological issues as disruptions in mood and problems with concentration and memory.
(from EnergyTimes)

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This makes sense. Tai chi helps bring order and balance to the body.