Tai chi may help relieve lower back pain
Can the practice of an ancient Chinese martial art, tai chi, be beneficial for the treatment of low back pain in the elderly?
Medical research says that it may be valuable. There are many studies indicating that some of the practice of specific exercises found in tai chi, baduanjin and qigong can have a positive impact on low back pain.
It is commonly believed that tai chi originated in China in the 13th century. It is usually composed of slow and relaxed physical movements, often combined with specific deep breathing patterns. It has often been described as moving meditation.
According to Oriental medicine, the benefits of tai chi in relieving low back pain are related to balancing the flow of bioenergy termed qi, or chi, pronounced CHEE.
Imbalance in energy flow makes the body more susceptible to injury and illnesses. The regular practice of tai chi exercises is believed to balance the flow of energy ultimately resulting in health. From a western medical point of view, physical movement results in accelerated healing.
There are many tai chi variations. The five major styles are Yang, Wu, Chen, Sun, Wu and Hao. There is robust research on the health benefits for muscle strength, flexibility, balance (especially in the elderly) and aerobic conditioning. There is limited research on benefits of tai chi in the elderly for low back pain.
Low back pain is the most common health problem in the elderly, resulting in significant pain and disability. In retirement communities, low back pain can affect over 80% of the residents. For a variety of reasons, the elderly may not respond as well as younger people to traditional therapies including medications, injections and traditional physical therapy, as well as nontraditional therapies such as chiropractic and acupuncture. A better approach is needed.
In a recent medical study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2020), many smaller medical studies looking at tai chi for the treatment of low back pain in the elderly were combined for better statistical analysis.
They evaluated the effect of tai chi alone or as an adjunctive therapy for low back pain in the elderly. The pooled results demonstrated that the regular practice of tai chi (usually once per week for 12 weeks), either alone or in addition to other therapies, significantly reduced pain and disability associated with low back pain. It was found to be safe and inexpensive when compared to some very expensive medical therapies. Continued practice beyond the 12 weeks also freed the participants from needing maintenance medical therapies.
Tai chi instruction can be found at health clubs, park districts and even hospitals and medical centers. It has moved from an unusual form of exercise from the exotic Orient to mainstream medicine.
Indeed, there are almost 2,500 publications in the traditional medical literature on tai chi.
My medical practice has its origins in teaching martial art exercises for low back pain especially among the elderly.
Occasionally I will touch bases with my elderly patients from years past. Those who are still doing their exercises rarely experience low back pain.
• Dr. Patrick Massey is president of ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy, 1544 Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village.