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People over 65 years of age who suffer from knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, enhance their physical function and experience decreased pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis that causes a wearing away of joint cartilage. Chiropractors provide therapy for quite a few people who have developed OA in a number of places in the body, including the joints of the knee. Second only to spinal problems, knee pain and disability is one of the most prevalent abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are a shocking 4.3 million adults in the US over 60 years of ag diagnosed with knee OA, and the CDC anticipates that by age 85, half of men and women in America may suffer from symptoms of OA. Knee OA causes pain, immobility, functional disabilities, and a decreased quality of life.

Why do so many people develop OA? As with most of the musculoskeletal problems that we develop as we age, inappropriate stress to a joint over time is a major element. It follows that as people age they are more susceptible to developing OA in their joints, including the knees. Incorrect mechanics of the knee, irregular gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and overload of the knee joint all cause undue stress on the knees. Eventually arthritic changes in the knee joint occur. Most chiropractors advocate such natural, drug-free practices as Tai Chi, as an adjunct to their chiropractic management. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that generate peace of mind, as well as an enhancement of balance, an augmentation of strength, and enhanced flexibility.

In otherwise good health, the 40 men and women with confirmed OA that were picked for the Tufts study were, on average, 65 years of age and overweight. Participants were randomly picked to participate 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. As an added benefit, researchers observed that the “mental feature” of Tai Chi stimulated a sense of well-being, life satisfaction, and impressions of health that aided the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Significantly, the group practicing Tai Chi displayed a meaningful decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

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