Knee X-ray
Individuals over 65 years of age who’ve been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, improve their physical capability and encounter less pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a general form of arthritis that causes a breakdown of joint cartilage. Chiropractors treat many individuals who suffer with OA in a number of regions of the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most prevalent dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal dysfunctions. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are an astounding 4.3 million adults in the US over age 60 diagnosed with knee OA, and the CDC predicts that by age 85, half of American adults may develop symptoms of OA. Knee osteoarthritis results in pain, immobility, functional disabilities, and a decreased quality of life.
Why do so many men and women develop OA? As with the majority of the musculoskeletal problems that we develop as we age, inappropriate stress to a joint over time is a major determinant. That is why as people age they are more at risk for developing OA in their joints, including the knees. Abnormal mechanics of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and repetitive use of the knee joint all create undue stress on the knees. Over time arthritic changes in the knee joint develop. In combination with chiropractic treatment, chiropractors wholeheartedly support natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can mitigate knee pain. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements that create mental relaxation, as well as increased balance, an increase in strength, and more flexibility.
The 40 adults chosen for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age, overweight, and with confirmed OA, but in otherwise good health. Individuals were randomly picked to engage in 60-minute “Yang style” Tai Chi sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. Each session included a 10-minute self-massage and a review of Tai Chi principles, 30 minutes of Tai Chi movement, 10 minutes of breathing technique, and 10 minutes of relaxation.
Tai Chi involves many of the contemporary exercise recommendations for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. Furthermore, researchers noted that the “mental aspect” of Tai Chi encouraged a sense of well-being, life contentment, and impressions of health that aided the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Compared with the control group, the group practicing Tai Chi displayed a considerable decrease in knee pain.
Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.