Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition where pain without apparent cause is felt throughout the body. Treatment is usually aimed at helping people to cope with and decrease the pain, and.exercise is part of the recommended standard of care. However, treatment must be multi-faceted and tailored to the individual and their symptoms.
Seeing as how Tai Chi had therapeutic benefits for those with osteoarthritis, researchers set out to determine whether it could also help fibromyalgia. A small 2010 fibromyalgia study compared Tai Chi with wellness education and stretching exercises, and found that Tai Chi lessened pain and improved mental and physical health in over 80 percent of participants. With this in mind, a larger study was planned to determine whether Tai Chi’s effects were related to frequency and duration. The study found Tai Chi results in greater improvement than standard aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia symptoms when each was practiced twice a week. Researchers also discovered that twice weekly Tai Chi practice was not more effective than once a week. However, practicing Tai Chi for 24 weeks instead of 12 weeks resulted in greater benefits.
Tai Chi helps to reduce muscle weakness, pain, and joint stiffness. It also improves physical and mental health by decreasing anxiety, fatigue and depression, while increasing the ability to cope with fibromyalgia related symptoms. Tai Chi can also help restore mental clarity compromised by “fibro fog.”
Bottom line: Tai Chi has been shown to be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. If you, or someone you love, is one of the millions of people suffering from fibromyalgia, Tai Chi may be an effective alternative to other exercises or an adjunct to the current treatment plan.
Certainly worth trying! Check out our variety of classes and locations.