Sydney, June 2 (IANS) Tai Chi seems to ease pain caused by arthritis and improves overall physical health and satisfaction.
Musculoskeletal pain, experienced by arthritis patients, places a severe burden on the patient and the community.

Exercise therapy including strengthening, stretching and aerobic programs, have been shown to be effective for arthritic pain.

Tai Chi, is a form of exercise that is regularly practiced in China to improve overall health and well-being. It is usually performed in a group but is also practiced individually.

Recently, a new study examined the effectiveness of Tai Chi in decreasing pain and disability and improving the quality of life in people with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Led by Amanda Hall of The George Institute, Sydney, researchers analysed seven eligible randomized controlled trials that used Tai Chi as the main intervention for patients with musculoskeletal pain.

The authors stated “the fact that Tai Chi is inexpensive, convenient, and enjoyable and conveys other psychological and social benefits supports the use of this type of intervention for pain conditions such as arthritis,” she said, according to a George Institute release.

The study was published in the June issue of Arthritis Care & Research.