Knee X-ray
People that are at least 65 years of age or older with knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, improve their physical performance and encounter a decrease pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a general form of arthritis that brings about a breakdown of joint cartilage. Chiropractors provide therapy for many men and women suffering from OA in a number of areas of the body, including the joints of the knee. Second only to spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace conditions of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are a surprising 4.3 million people in this country over 60 years of ag diagnosed with knee OA, and the CDC predicts that by age 85, half of the people in America may incur symptoms of OA. The consequences of knee osteoarthritis are pain, mobility limitations, functional disabilities, and a diminished quality of life.
You may be asking why so many people develop OA. Inordinate stress over the years is a major factor in the majority of musculoskeletal problems that develop as we age. It follows that as people age they are more at risk for developing OA in their joints, including the knees. Incorrect function of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and overload of the knee joint all create inordinate stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint occur. The majority of chiropractors suggest such natural, drug-free practices as Tai Chi, as an adjunct to their chiropractic treatment. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that generate mental relaxation, as well as improved balance, an augmentation of strength, and improved flexibility.
Though in good health otherwise, the 40 adults with confirmed OA that were selected for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age and overweight. Individuals were randomly picked to participate in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.
Tai Chi incorporates many of the current exercise recommendations for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. As an added benefit, researchers noted that the “mental aspect” of Tai Chi stimulated a sense of well-being, life satisfaction, and perceptions of health that helped the participants to deal differently with chronic pain. Compared with the control group, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain.
Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.