Tai Chi goed voor iedereen.*

Tai Chi heeft een gunstige invloed op een aantal chronische aandoeningen zoals hartziekten, gewrichtsproblemen en zelfs multiple sclerose. Tai Chi is ook een goede manier om kracht en soepelheid te trainen bij oudere mensen en kan helpen om pijn te verzachten. Verder zou het een positieve invloed kunnen hebben op geheugen en concentratie en de geestestoestand en bijvoorbeeld gunstig zijn tegen angst en depressie.
The ancient Chinese martial art of Tai Chi appears to have many positive effects in people with chronic health conditions, including heart and joint problems, and multiple sclerosis, according to a review of medical literature.

In addition, Tai Chi appears to help older adults build strength, balance and flexibility, and to reduce pain and anxiety among healthy people, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine report.

Despite the practice's apparent benefits, study author Dr. Chenchen Wang of Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston cautioned that it is too early for doctors to recommend Tai Chi to their patients with chronic health woes, because many of the studies included in the current analysis were poorly designed.

"All the indications from this review show Tai Chi is beneficial,".  "But we cannot yet draw scientific conclusions."

Tai Chi focuses on building strength, balance and flexibility through slow, fluid movements combined with mental imagery and deep breathing.

The practice is believed to improve a number of aspects of health, including memory, concentration and digestion. In addition, some say it can reduce anxiety and depression.

Despite its numerous supposed benefits, however, the means by which Tai Chi affects health remain a mystery.

For the current study, Wang and her colleagues reviewed the results of 47 studies that examined the health benefits of Tai Chi. The studies looked at the practice's influence on musculoskeletal conditions, heart and lung function, immune function and mental health.

The researchers found that Tai Chi appears to improve functioning in the heart, blood vessels and lungs among both healthy people and those with heart conditions, including those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery.

Among frail, older adults, practicing Tai Chi was associated with a lower risk of falls, and improvements in balance, strength and flexibility in all older adults. The martial art also appeared to reduce pain, stress and anxiety among healthy practitioners.

In an interview, Wang urged people with chronic health conditions to be careful if they plan to practice Tai Chi. Although the current research suggests it is effective and safe, the practice could worsen symptoms in some people with joint problems such as arthritis, she noted.

Wang added that she and her colleagues plan to conduct further studies to determine why Tai Chi works, and which patients can get the most benefit from it.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, March, 2004.

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