Tai Chi Can Help Osteoporosis
Published 2021-02-09
Osteoporosis is a silent condition in the sense that most people have no symptoms, no pain and no discomfort. Often people find out that they have osteoporosis when they have a minor fall and end up with a fracture. One of my patients has it so bad, she reached out to grasp something and fractured one of her ribs! Breaking a bone is painful and could change your lifestyle forever.
Osteoporosis is the thinning of the bones. The bones are living tissues, many things can cause it. For example, menopause, lack of exercise, bad diet and some medication can make the bones thinner.
The good news is your doctor can find out exactly how strong your bones are by measuring the bone mineral density. This test will tell you whether you are getting osteoporosis. Doctors can help prevent or treat the condition with good diet, suitable exercise and if necessary, medication.
Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50. It is important to see your doctor before you end up with a fracture.
A medical study conducted by Professor Rhayun Song and her colleagues from the Daejeon National University involved two groups of older women with arthritis, one group practice tai chi for six months and other group did a self-help educational program. The researchers tested and compared two groups before and after six months. They found the tai chi group had significantly higher levels of Bone Mineral Density, stronger muscles around the knee and less fear of falling.
These findings are wonderful news for people with osteoporosis. Higher levels of Bone Mineral Density mean less osteoporosis.
Falling is the major problem for people with osteoporosis. Beside fractures, a fall can damage any part of the body. Stronger muscles protect the joint and prevent falls.
Less fear of falling is important because studies have shown the fear of falling leads to more falls.
Many robust studies have shown tai chi to reduce the falls of older adults significantly by around 65%.
What is more, as a bonus, tai chi comes with many other health benefits.
There are over 500 medical studies showing that tai chi improves immunity, balance, reduces falls, relieves arthritis pain, relieve stress, improve heart conditions and diabetes, reduce high blood pressure… almost all aspects of health.
Improve immunity is especially important for time of the pandemic with Covid virus. Immunological system also prevents and fight against cancer.
Tai chi is an art and an exercise originating from ancient China. From the outside, its movements look gently, graceful and seem effortless. The flowing movements are like water in a river, beneath the tranquil surface there is a current with immense power - the power for healing and inner strength.
Suitable exercise can help people with osteoporosis, to build muscular strength, improve cardiovascular fitness and lung capacity, your health professional can advise you what is suitable.
Tai Chi is one of the most suitable and enjoyable exercises. There are many different forms of tai chi with significant differences. That is why I have worked with Osteoporosis Australia and a team of medical and tai chi experts to create the Tai Chi for Osteoporosis program. It is designed to be safe, easy to learn and effective.
The program exercises the entire body including the mind, the organs and the bones, and all muscles and ligaments.
Tai chi is a mindful exercise that brings tranquillity and relieves stress. It is created based on Chinese Traditional medicine and the law of nature in a holistic way to achieve better health and harmony within the person.
These might sound complicated; the good thing about a designed program is that all you have to do is follow the movements and you will be exercising the mind and the body naturally. It will be an enjoyable activity once you got used to the rhythm and feel of it.
I am going to teach you a few moments from the Tai Chi for Osteoporosis program. Please find a clear space, wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes, join me to find out how easy and enjoyable tai chi can be.
Standard exercise warning about taken own risk, approved by your health professionals.
Please work well within your comfort zone. Take you time don’t rush it.
All Comments (18)
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i found out because my mother had it and she insisted i got tested. turns out she had the genetic version, glad she did insist i get tested because it turned out i do have it and as a result i've been able to slow it's rate for now but i'm coming up on the age now where my body will undergo another change that could trigger it to get worse, so i'm REALLY glad i found your vid now.
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Thank you Dr. Lam for this brief, but very insightful introduction of tai chi as a valuable resource for people with osteoporosis. Those most at risk for fracture should find confidence and courage to give the warmup exercises and beginning movements a try. The spinal stretch should not only encourage sitting and standing tall, but also awaken the good feeling of easier breathing. No further explanation would be necessary.
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This is just what I’ve been looking for having been diagnosed with osteopenia. I am quite active and enjoy your videos that are very helpful and feel completely comfortable with Tai Chi exercises. I’m really grateful to practice with you giving me your excellent knowledge and feel good, relaxation as well. A big thank you Dr. Lam! ❤
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Thank you Dr Lam for sharing this video footage about Tai chi for osteoporosis. I learned how to do abdominal breathing when I was in my school choir. I've also had intro class or two in TMC. I use to practice feeling energy force between my hands. I can now feel this energy anytime.... Between my hands .. no matter how far apart I bring my hands out .... I can feel it without even thinking about it. The video was easy to follow. You are a good teacher.
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❤Thank you Dr Lam for your kind instructions and motivation for having a better feelings to live with better feelings
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Very practical and helpful. Thank you Dr. Lam.
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Hello, Could you kindly restore the sound track of this video? Dr. Lam's explanations are very important explanations are very important.
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Thanks Dr. Lamb, I am 71 my doctor told me a month ago I do have ostoporoses. I appreciated your exercise. I am interested to have a certificate in a Taichi instructor.
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Hi! I am from Canada, Moncton, New-Brunswick, I did left a message to get some information to be a Tai chi instructor for beginners. Thankyou, Carmen McIntyre
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Hello Doctor Lam. I love your classes.... I am totally new to it.. I got polymialgia, is there some class that yuo recomend? I shall be very grateful if you could guide me.. thank you very much Ana Livingston
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감사합니다. () ^^
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Muchísimas gracias, hace unos días atrás me diagnosticaron osteoporosis severa y estoy muy confundida y asustada, cumplí en enero 60 años. Ver su vídeo me dio muchos ánimos. Muchísimas gracias. ¡Cree usted que yo pueda practicar Tai Chi?. Le agradeceré su respuesta. Un saludo desde Perú. Thank you very much, a few days ago I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and I am very confused and scared, I turned 60 in January. Watching your video gave me a lot of encouragement. Many thanks. Do you think I can practice Tai Chi? I will appreciate your reply. Greetings from Peru.
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Hola, acabo de ver su video de lntroduccion para mejorar la osteoporosis , mi médico me recomendó practicar tai chi porque yo padezco osteoporosis tengo 74 años soy mexicana , no hablo inglés, pero me gustaría obtener sus videos en español . Vivo en una ciudad llamada Carmen del Estado de Campeche . Pais Mexico. Mi nombre es Arcenia Hernandez . Como puedo comunicarme con Usted.
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M gustaria informacion en español.gracias
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Dr. Lam. Thank you for making these videos. I live in Myrtle Beach SC and I have Oateoporosis, osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease, I am having pain all the time. I would like to learn Tia Chi, but I’m afraid I will have more pain and not doing these exercises correctly. No sr can tell me where these is a master who can take all my medical issues into account as I do it! Where can I go near me? I live in a community of many people of all ages with issues like me, but I do not know where to find a licensed master to teach us all. I need your help because I need to do exercises and help my pain get better. How can I do this. Thank you so much Randy
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is there a problem with the audio?
