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Knee X-ray
Research done by Tufts University School of Medicine had concluded that men and women 65 years and older who’ve been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and who practice Tai Chi, enhanced their physical function and encountered less pain. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis that produces an erosion of joint cartilage. Chiropractors help quite a few individuals suffering from OA in a number of areas of the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace conditions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal abnormalities. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are an astounding 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 men and women in America may incur symptoms of OA. The consequences of knee osteoarthritis are pain, mobility limitations, dysfunction and disability, and a reduced quality of life.
You may be wondering why so many people develop OA. Inordinate stress over a period of time is a major element in the majority of musculoskeletal conditions that develop as we get older. Therefore, as people get older they are more likely to develop OA in their knees, as well as other joints. Abnormal function of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as a consequence of foot pain, and overload of the knee joint all create inordinate stress on the knees. Over time arthritic changes in the knee joint occur. Most chiropractors suggest such natural, drug-free practices as Tai Chi, in addition to their chiropractic treatment. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements that create mental relaxation, as well as increased balance, an increase in strength, and improved flexibility.
In otherwise good health, the 40 men and women with confirmed OA that were picked for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age and overweight. Participants were picked at random to take part 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 includes many of the prevailing exercise suggestions for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. As an added benefit, researchers noted that the “mental feature” of Tai Chi promoted a sense of well-being, life contentment, 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 considerable 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.
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My mother joined a senior’s group this summer and they do Tai Chi routines when they meet. She has had knee problems for a long while. In fact, having knee replacement surgery on on knee. Since she started with the Tai Chi, however, her mobility has improved drastically and she is feeling better overall and in a much better mood.
~Andrea