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Knee X-ray

Research done by Tufts University School of Medicine had concluded that men and women that are at least 65 years of age or older who’ve been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and who practice Tai Chi, improved their physical function and experienced less pain. Osteoarthritis is a prevalent form of arthritis that brings about a wearing away of joint cartilage. Chiropractors help quite a few people suffering from OA in a number of places in the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal complaints. In fact, an astonishing 4.3 million US adults over 60 years of age have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it conjectures that by age 85, half of men and women in America may incur symptoms of OA. Knee OA causes pain, immobility, functional disabilities, and a diminished quality of life.

Are you wondering why so many adults develop OA? As with the majority of the musculoskeletal dysfunctions that we develop as we age, abnormal stress to a joint over the years is a major element. That is why as people age they are more susceptible to developing OA in their joints, including the knees. Incorrect function of the knee, poor gait, compensatory foot mechanics as the result of foot pain, and overload of the knee joint all cause undue stress on the knees. Over time arthritic changes in the knee joint develop. In addition to chiropractic therapies, chiropractors fully endorse natural, drug-free practices, such as Tai Chi (Chuan), that can help to reduce knee pain. A traditional style of Chinese martial arts,Tai Chi features slow, rhythmic movements that produce mental relaxation, as well as increased balance, an increase in strength, and more flexibility.

The 40 adults chosen for the Tufts study were on an average 65 years of age, overweight, and with confirmed OA, but in otherwise good health. Participants were picked at random 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 incorporates many of the current exercise protocols for OA, such as range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout. Furthermore, researchers found that the “mental feature” of Tai Chi encouraged a sense of well-being, life enjoyments, and perceptions of health that assisted the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Compared with the control group, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain.

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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