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New study suggests practicing Tai Chi regularly can ease Fibromyalgia pain
According to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine a significant number of patients with Fibromyalgia responded well to Tai Chi, experiencing alleviation of joint pains and other symptoms.
Tai Chi, combines meditation with slow, gentle movements, relaxation and deep breathing. It is known to help with muscle strength, posture, balance, sleep, coordination - and now Fibromyalgia symptoms.
In the study, 66 patients affected by Fibromyalgia were divided into two groups:
- The first group took part in a 12-week wellness education programme which included stretching exercises twice weekly.
- The second group took part in a 12-week Tai Chi program
Whilst the first group saw little benefit, the Tai Chi group reported greater relief from muscle pain, better sleep, and a higher quality of life with less depression. They also performed better on tests of physical abilities. What's more, nearly one in three of the participants were able to stop taking medication compared to fewer than one in six in the first group.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder, affecting 200 million people worldwide.
Signs and symptoms include morning stiffness, headaches, irregular sleep patterns, and a host of other symptoms. It may develop spontaneously or may be triggered by an accident such as whiplash injury, injury from a fall, being struck by an object or a back sprain from sudden lifting of a heavy object. Alternatively, it may stem from a more subtle, gradual trauma such as shoulder strain in an assembly-line worker or wrist strains in a computer operator.
Brian Barr are the leading solicitors in England and Wales acting for victims of accidents which have led to Fibromyalgia. If an accident triggered your Fibromyalgia or if you have been refused a substantial payment under a permanent health insurance/critical illness policy or accident protection plan please contact us by clicking here or call us on 0161 737 9248.
