Can Tai Chi Help Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a systemic degenerative disease that directly impacts the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Although some experts contend that peripheral neuropathy is not a disease, but a category of diseases with very different causes. Either way, the PNS connects the Central Nervous System (CNS) to the limbs and organs. The CNS is responsible for carrying the signals from your brain, spinal column and body. Peripheral neuropathy can decrease the ability to move extremities and causes pain in the hands and/or feet. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure but Tai Chi can help improve the symptoms that come with peripheral neuropathy.

Tai Chi students reported decreased episodes of daily severe burning and pain, while also calming the mind and body, and improving strength and balance. That’s pretty significant. Tai Chi is an effective and safe intervention which, since the mid-1990‘s has been recommended by the Surgeon General for those over the age of 65 to improve balance and stability. Tai Chi helps muscle control, strength and function, which we start to lose as we age, or due to our lifestyle, or other side effects of certain diseases.

A Tai Chi study that started in 2004 and was published in 2007, indicated improvement in balance, walking, quality of life, and pain. These are important but hard to measure because study subjects may have had impaired balance with the primary problem being walking. These are considered “functional” outcomes, which are helpful in assessing the overall impact of an intervention. But functional outcomes are difficult to interpret. Pain is also hard to measure, because as nerve damage gets worse, burning pain may improve. This does not mean an actual improvement in nerve damage.

When evaluating neuropathy, normally standardized nerve conduction studies (electrical tests that look directly, objectively, and quantifiably at nerve function) are used The nerve conduction studies don’t require feedback from the patient. However, while sensation is subjective, it is important to measure, but harder to quantify. However, it can be done.

There have been numerous studies on peripheral neuropathy. A 2010 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine from the Department of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, showed that Tai Chi (Taiji) increases the nerves’ ability and speed of sending signals back to the brain and spinal cord. After a few weeks of Tai Chi, physical function and balance is improved, which reduces the likelihood of falls and fear of falling.

A low percentage of people are physically activity according to the CDC (2014). However, a study on the Impact of Tai Chi on peripheral neuropathy, published in 2018, reported that at the end of the study, the group requested that the program be continued. Researchers thought the psycho-social support from other participants and the instructors was a driving force, suggesting the importance of social networking and support to keep people engaged in exercise. Participants agreed that Tai Chi is not a cure , but did improve balance, flexibility, and strength.

Findings corroborate many other studies that reported functionality and psychological improvement in persons with peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown that Tai Chi is even an effective exercise (with some modifications) for those in long-term care facilities. Participant’s hand-grip strength and lower body flexibility improved.

People with peripheral neuropathy tend to be less active because of pain and decreased ability to move their extremities. Unfortunately, It’s a vicious cycle because the less active they are, the more pain and loss of strength they experience. Tai Chi can help regain connections between muscles in the body and the mind. Studies show that as participants learn to use their whole body (body as a unit) the less pain and more comfort they will experience.

Tai Chi is easily tolerated, safe, cost-effective, and enjoyable for people of any age. Participating in Tai Chi for an extended time may also help maintain and/or improve quality of life, and psychological and physical functioning.