JOINT PAIN? TRY TAICHI OR QIGONG

It is bound to happen as we age. I'm referring to osteoarthritis, or OA for short. Our bones are no longer as dense and strong as they used to be, and joint pain is a common complaint, especially in the knees and hips.

I've seen how my 83-year old mother struggles to get in and out of the car, or go up and down the stairs. And I wonder when it'll be my turn to experience the pain and discomfort. I've been told by my lady friends that taking glucosamine and chondroitin helps to build new cartilage for bones and relieves OA. But I try to avoid popping pills into my body, except for a multivitamin supplement that I take whenever I remember to!

The Singapore General Hospital has a website that provides very useful information on OA, including how to prevent it, how to treat it and a list of calcium-rich food which I find most helpful.

There have been many studies done on OA, with the most recent showing that practising taiji may not only reduce OA pain, but also improve joint function as well. Now this is something I can personally vouch for. There was a time when I had difficulty squatting or getting up from a seated position on the floor. Doing taichi (and qigong) exercises have helped tremendously in putting back some of that youthful spring in my bones!

Do check out this video for some simple taichi-qigong exercises that you can practise if you are a beginner.



Related videos:

Tai Chi & Qigong: Protect Your Knees

Six Healing Sounds