The many health and wellbeing benefits of Tai Chi and Chinese medicine
Tai Chi and traditional Chinese medicine have long been interlinked. Since the creation of Tai Chi as a martial art sometime in the 13th century, people have been benefiting from the combined treatment of both.
Tai Chi (sometimes called Tai Chi Chuan) is an ancient martial art from China. Since its development as a gentle way to fight, it has evolved into a form of exercise, meditation, and energy flow that has big health benefits.
A non-competitive martial art, Tai Chi is taught today for both self-defense techniques and as a treatment for chronic health conditions, as well as a form of low-impact exercise. While there isn’t yet a scientific study backing each one of Tai Chi’s benefits for treating illness, there is plenty of evidence to show its worth.
Research shows the many health and wellbeing benefits of Tai Chi
Research does show that Tai Chi has many benefits, particularly for older people and those with chronic pain and illness. It helps to cut the risk of falling, improves posture and balance, reduces pain, and manages symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Today, Tai Chi can be taught as a simple exercise flow or can be combined with Chinese medicine to specifically target a patient’s specific illnesses and energy flow. Many people see it as a form of meditation combined with movement and say that improves their mental health. I have created a special practice called Tao Calligraphy Tao Ji that includes Tai Chi movements and meditation for rejuvenation, stress reduction, and healing.
Because Tai chi is low impact, it doesn’t put pressure on the joints or muscles. This is why it’s ideal for anyone, no matter your age or health status. Five main styles are taught today, and finding the best one for your needs depends on the instructor you choose and the form they teach. The different forms include chen, yang, wu hao, wu, and sun. Some are more targeted at self-defense, while others are specifically for treating illness. Find out more about each style of Tai Chi here.
The origins and history of Tai Chi as a martial art and wellbeing treatment
The exact origins of Tai Chi are debated, but it’s easily traceable to a mix of Chinese history, Taoism, and Confucianism. Many people believe that a Tao monk from the 12th century developed Tai chi as a martial art. The story says that he decided to leave his monastery to become a hermit and, while in isolation, developed the martial art as a form of fighting based on soft movements.
Tai Chi was originally taught and learned as a martial art, but in the early 20th century its health benefits were discovered. This led the Chinese Government to formalize Tai Chi exercise routines for its citizens to keep them healthy.
Studies show that Tai Chi is one of the most beneficial and accessible low-impact exercises available. Not only can it improve strength, balance, and posture, it also improves cardiovascular endurance in the same way that brisk, regular walking does. It lowers blood pressure, and many older people who practice regularly say that it makes them feel stronger and more empowered.
Studies that show the health benefits of this martial art
Here is some scientific evidence for some of the main health benefits of the first level of Tai Chi. When combined with Chinese medicine by a qualified Chinese doctor, the benefits go deeper.
1. Tai Chi reduces incidents of falling in older people.
Various studies from 2012 back this up, when around 80,000 people were analyzed. A separate, much smaller trial in the same year of 195 older people with Parkinson’s disease showed that Tai Chi improves balance more than any other form of physical exercise.
2. Tai Chi can help to manage chronic pain.
A number of smaller studies show that Tai Chi can reduce chronic pain associated with conditions including osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. In 2013 a meta-analysis of seven small trials showed that a three-month course of Tai Chi improved pain, stiffness, and physical function connected with osteoarthritis.
3. Improves symptoms of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing pain, extreme fatigue, and depression. A 2010 medical trial showed that Tai Chi improved sleep quality, pain, and mental health.
4. Can help to manage symptoms of chronic heart failure
While there are no medical studies to demonstrate this, experienced Tai Chi practitioners believe that Tai Chi can have a profound impact on those dealing with heart failure. There is evidence to show that this martial art can help with various areas of health care, such as maintaining a steadier heart rate and lowering blood pressure, as well as increasing oxygen capacity.
The different stages of learning and teaching Tai Chi
Tai Chi is gentle and easy to learn, making it ideal for everyone regardless of their level of fitness or age. For people who simply want to become more flexible and stronger to those who want to gain more peace of mind, Tai Chi can help. Anyone starting a new form of exercise should, of course, check with their doctor first.
There are four levels of learning and teaching Tai Chi, depending on the result the patient is after:
1. Student of Tai Chi — someone learning enough to help themselves with any injury or fitness goal.
2. Teacher of Tai Chi — someone who is experienced and learned enough to teach the student the basic forms to heal themselves.
3. Doctor of Chinese medicine — combined with experience as a Tai Chi practitioner, this level doctor can direct specific postures and exercises to the patient’s qi flow.
4. Specialist in Chinese medicine and Tai Chi — this specialist can provide the most complex level of treatment using Tai Chi for challenging medical conditions.
Using Tai Chi taught by a Master of the art along with Chinese medicine is the best and most direct way to experience holistic healing.
