T'AI CHI MEDICAL RESEARCH [PLEASE SHARE WIDELY]
courtesy of World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day

GENERAL BENEFITS: [T'ai Chi] teaches inner strength while toning muscles,
increasing flexibility, and boosting immune power. It is also said to reduce
stress, store up energy, increase body awareness, and improve balance and
coordination. T'ai Chi was the closely held secret of a few Chinese families
for nearly 1,000 years... Men's Health Magazine. 8 Mar/Apr '93 p. 66-69

PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS: Relative to measurement beforehand, practice
of T'ai Chi raised heart rate, increased nonadrenaline excretion in urine, and
decreased salivary cortisol concentration. Relative to baseline levels, [Test
Subjects] reported less tension, depression, anger, fatigue, confusion and
state-anxiety; they felt more vigorous, and in general they had less total
mood disturbance. (American Psychological Association) Journal of
Psychosomatic Research, 1989 Vol 33 (2) 197-206

MENTAL HOMEOSTASIS: Pscyhological homeostasis refers to emotional
control or tranquility. It has been stated that the biological function of human
emotion and repression is primarily homeostatic. Evidence suggests that a
feedback relationship exists between forms of homeostasis, and the body-mind
type of therapies (including acupuncture and T'ai Chi) thus have a combined
physiological, physical, and psychological effect. (American Psychological
Association) American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 1981 Spr Vol 9 (1) 1-14

IMMUNE SYSTEM: A study conducted in China indicates that T'ai Chi may
increase the number of T lymphocytes in the body. Also know as T-Cells, these
lymphocytes help the immune system destroy bacteria and possibly even tumor
cells Prevention Magazine V. 42, May 90, p.14-15

BREATHING, ACHES, BLOODPRESSURE: ...participants observed a "big
increase in breathing capacity", a disappearance of backaches and neckaches,
those with high blood pressure claimed a drop of 10 to 15 mm Hg systolic at
rest, and all participants claimed to have more energy in their daily work. Hawaii
Medical Journal - Vol 51 No. 8 August 92

BALANCE: A ten year study on aging through Harvard, Yale and Emory University
determined not only that T'ai Chi was superior to more technological balance
therapies, but that T'ai Chi reduced the risk of injury by falling by 48%.
Complications from these injuries are the sixth leading cause of death in older
Americans, and account for about $10 billion loss per year to the economy.
USA Today, May 1996

MENTAL & PHYSICAL STRESS: Mind & body exercises, such as ... T'ai Chi ...
are increasingly replacing high-impact aerobics, long distance running and other
body punishing excercises of the 1980's ...Mind/body workouts are kinder to
the joints and muscles . . reduce the tension that often contributes to the
development of disease, which makes them especially appropriate for high
powered, stressed out baby boomers. Unlike most conventional exercises,
these forms are intended to stretch, tone, an relax the whole body instead of
isolating parts ... based on a series of progressive choreographed movements
coordinated with deep breathing. Working Woman Magazine V 20 Feb. 95 p.
60-62+

POSTURAL CONTROL: T'ai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise, is a series of
individual dance like movements linked together in a continuous, smooth-flowing
sequence ... An analysis of variance (ANOVA) domonstrated that in 3 of 5 tests,
the T'ai Chi practitioners had significantly better postural control than the sedentary
non practitioners. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 1992 Apr Vol 46 (4)
295-300

BEYOND TRADITIONAL CARE: Health practitioners encountering clients who
are faced with problems that do not seem to respond to traditional health care
... may employ some of the health traditions of other cultures and to view
the body and mind as a balanced whole. Massage, acupuncture and T'ai Chi ...
focus on the mind/body connection to facilitate healing through relaxation,
pressure points, and movement. AAOHN Journal, 1993 July, 41 (7) 349-351

CURES/PREVENTIONS: Proponents claim that T'ai Chi can also (1) cure illnesses
such as hypertension, asthma, and insomnia; (2) prevent arteriosclerosis and spinal
deformity, and (3) shorten recovery phase from long-term illness. Results from a
study by Chen Munyi (1963) with elderlyl T'ai Chi practitioners show that this group
had RTs, strength, and flexibility superior to nonpractitioners.
(American Psychological Association) American Journal of Chinese Medicine,
1981 Spr Vol 9(1) 15-22

BALANCE: Institute of Chicago indicates that people with moderate balance
problems can be helped by practicing T'ai Chi. Participants...of the 2 month
course ...experienced about a 10 percent improvement in balance. An Emory
University study supports Hain's findings. Prevention Magazine V. 46 Dec. 94
p. 71-72

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: No significant exacerbation of joint symptoms
using this weight bearing system of exercises (Tai Chi) was observed. T'ai Chi
exercises appear to be safe for RA patients...weight bearing exercises have
the potential advantages of stimulating bone growth and strengthening
connective tissue, ... American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
June 1991, 70 (3) p. 136-141

SUPPORT GROUPS RECOMMENDING T'AI CHI:
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FIBROMYALGIA PARKINSON'S DISEASE
LUPUS MIGRAINES CHRONIC PAIN AIDS: Proper exercise [for AIDS
sufferers] is typified by T'ai Chi. Dr. Laurence E. Badgley, M.D.

PSYCHOLOGY: "T'ai Chi is a natural and safe vehicle for both clients and
staff to learn and experience the benefits of being able to channel, concentrate
and co-ordinate their bodies and minds: to learn to relax and to "neutralize"
rather than resist the stress in their personal lives. This is an ability which we
greatly need to nurture in our modern fast-paced society.
Dr. John Beaulieu, N.D., M.T.R.S. Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, N.Y.C.
[Refer to the T'ai Chi book "The Supreme Ultimate" for full text]

TAI CHI & GESTALT THERAPY: Discussion of T'ai Chi, a Chinese system of
integrated exercises, as an effective adjunct to Gestalt Therapy. (American
Psychological Association) Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 1978 Fall
Vol 10 (1) 25-31

PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS: A holistic paradigm, T'ai Chi, is proposed as a
theoretical basis for treating psychosomatic illness. (American Psychological
Assn.) Journal of Black Psychology, 1980 Aug. Vol 7(1) 27-43

TAI CHI HELPS UNDERSTAND CHANGE: Suggests the imagery of the T'ai Chi
figure ... can serve as a model for understanding the processes of change within
psychotherapy. The T'ai Chi figure expresses the themes of unity and
completeness, the dynamic of interplay and balance of opposite forces, and
the cyclical nature of therapeutic change. (American Psychological Assn.)
Psychologia, An International Journal of Psychology in the Orient, 1991 Mar
Vol 34 (1) 18-27

ELDERLY: According to T'ai Chi enthusiasts, the discipline can prevent many
ailments, including high blood pressure, tuberculosis, and diabetes, and US
scientists agree that T'ai Chi can offer some important fitness benefits,
particularly for older adults. Modern Maturity, V. 35 June/July 92 p. 60-62

CARDIORESPERITORY EFFECTS: Conclusion: The data substatiate that practicing
T'ai Chi regularly may delay the decline of cardioresperatory function in
older individuals. In addition, TC may be prescribed as a suitable aerobics
exercise for older adults. Journal of American Geriatric Society, Nov. 1995,
43 (11) p 1222-1227 ISSN 0002-8614 Journal Code: H6V

SPORTS HEALTH: [Former] Boston Celtic's star Robert Parish, who, at age 39,
is the oldest player in the NBA, credits the ancient martial art of T'ai Chi
with his durability. Parish remains dominant in his 17th season in the
league, and he has no plans to retire. He started all 79 games that he played
last year for the Celtics, averaging 14.1 points, shooting 54 percent from
the field and 77 percent from the free throw line, and racking up a season
total of 705 rebounds and 97 blocked shots. Inspired by his success, fellow
Celtics players Reggie Lewis and Rick Fox have signed on with Li (Parish's
T'ai Chi instructor). Gentlemen's Quarterly V. 62 Dec. 92, p 256-60 March 13,
1999

LANCET (Vol 353) Reporting research results on t'ai chi. Journal of the
American Geriatric Society, 1999; 47:277-84. It reports a randomized study
and gives blood pressure numbers.

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