Most of the research and case stories in my book and social media sites relate to the top ten leading causes of early death in the United States. So this month I wanted to post and discuss case stories related to other conditions. As noted in my book “Tai Chi Therapy: The Science of Metarobics,” fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition for which Tai Chi has been shown to have significant benefits. Dr. Chen Chen Wang, with Tufts Medical Center, had conducted a 12 week study to investigate the benefits of Tai Chi for patients with Fibromyalgia (1). Dr. Wang notes that fibromyalgia is a common and complex condition, which can include symptoms of chronic and widespread pain, as well as chronic fatigue and sleep disturbance. It can also lead to various other physical and psychological conditions. It is noted in the study that exercise as a whole is beneficial for fibromyalgia, and is considered an essential part of treatment. Regardless, years later, most patients are still in considerable pain, and require drugs to manage the condition.
In Dr. Wang’s study, 33 people were enrolled in a twice weekly Tai Chi class (and instructed to practice at least 20 minutes daily at home). For comparison, 33 people were also enrolled in a class on stretching and wellness education. At the end of the 12 weeks, and at the 24 week follow up, the Tai Chi group had a significantly greater decrease in fibromyalgia impact scores compared to the stretching and wellness education group (which still experienced some benefit). Benefits in the Tai Chi group included significant improvements in pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression. Pain relieving effects were so significant, that one third of the participants in the Tai Chi group stopped using any form of pain medication.
As is common with scientific studies on Tai Chi, and further noting the importance of a Metarobic or similar understanding and explanation of benefits, Dr. Wang also stated that the biological mechanisms which might affect fibromyalgia remain unknown. Dr. Wang suggests that benefits might be related to a restful state and mental tranquility. Tai Chi certainly does this, but considering the prevalence of studies on the role of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the tissues, discussed in my book) in chronic pain, and the unique and measureable effects of Tai Chi and related exercises on enhanced blood oxygen saturation, diffusion and oxygen based metabolism, it also worth researching the Metarobic effects of these exercises for various conditions, including fibromyalgia.
Other conditions which can result in chronic pain include multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic disease which attacks the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). Symptoms can range from numbness of the limbs to complete paralysis or loss of vision (2). The research into Tai Chi and MS has been limited primarily to benefits for balance, improvement in walking speed, flexibility, vitality and social and psychological factors (3). But if Tai Chi enhances all of the body’s systems (through the Metarobic effect described above), there may be direct benefits for pain and other symptoms of MS, as suggest by the following pilot study (and the case stories I will be posting later this week on the Metarobics Facebook Page). In the pilot study, eight secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients were enrolled into a Tai Chi/Qigong class (4). Benefits increased with the amount of time Tai Chi was practiced at home. One participant who practiced little (about 50 minutes per week), experienced almost no benefits. Those who practiced for approximately 200 to 400 minutes per week reported improvement in balance, reduction in feelings of “pins and needles,” pain, fatigue, depression, stiffness of joints, and reduced numbness in fingers and feet (this again stresses the importance of considering dosage (frequency and duration) when researching benefits).
The researchers noted that typical expectations of medical interventions for MS is to slow the progression of the disease. In this study, participants actually showed improvements in functioning on several points. An over 31% improvement in symptoms was reported. Replication of the study on a larger scale was recommended to better understand potential benefits, particularly considering the wide variety of symptoms associated with MS.
The research for Tai Chi grows daily, but still has a long way to go. A Metarobic perspective can help direct investigations related to physiological mechanisms of change, and how to maximize benefits for various conditions. Sadly enough, the primary barrier in queries to research institutions, has been related to comments that a Metarobic approach seems too simple. But considering the basic simplicity of aerobic theory, and the exponential development, research and growth of aerobic exercise following Dr. Cooper’s work, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most profound of all. For more information, please see my book “Tai Chi Therapy: The Science of Metarobics,” available on Amazon.com.
One last note, I have been getting queries regarding using Tai Chi for balance, following my post earlier in June. So I made a short video for the Metarobics YouTube Channel, which can be viewed by clicking HERE. Or you can use the following link. I do want to note that my focus in the "Repulse the Monkey" movement is on the hand in front, which can help with balance for many people. I originally learned Repulse the Monkey with the eyes following the hand towards the back and then to the front. Both methods are practiced in schools of Tai Chi, although from my experience, most follow the movements towards the back. As you gain skill, you may wish to try following the hand through the back swing (or side swing in some styles). There are applications to both the front and back from a martial perspective (one as an arm lock or break, the other as a throw).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrSiDtFGio
Dr. Pete Gryffin
Citations
1. Wang C, Schmid C, Kalish R, Yinh J, Rones R, Goldenberg D, McAlindon T. Tai Chi is Effective in Treating Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010; 363: 743-54.
2. PubMed Health. Multiple Sclerosis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/
3. Husted C, Pham L, Hekking A, Niederman R. Improving quality of life for people with chronic conditions: The example of T'ai chi and multiple sclerosis. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 1999; 5(5):70-74
4. Mills N, Allen J, Carey Morgan S. Does Tai Chi/Qi Gong help patients with Multiple Sclerosis? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2000: 4(1), 39-48.
In Dr. Wang’s study, 33 people were enrolled in a twice weekly Tai Chi class (and instructed to practice at least 20 minutes daily at home). For comparison, 33 people were also enrolled in a class on stretching and wellness education. At the end of the 12 weeks, and at the 24 week follow up, the Tai Chi group had a significantly greater decrease in fibromyalgia impact scores compared to the stretching and wellness education group (which still experienced some benefit). Benefits in the Tai Chi group included significant improvements in pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression. Pain relieving effects were so significant, that one third of the participants in the Tai Chi group stopped using any form of pain medication.
As is common with scientific studies on Tai Chi, and further noting the importance of a Metarobic or similar understanding and explanation of benefits, Dr. Wang also stated that the biological mechanisms which might affect fibromyalgia remain unknown. Dr. Wang suggests that benefits might be related to a restful state and mental tranquility. Tai Chi certainly does this, but considering the prevalence of studies on the role of hypoxia (oxygen deficiency in the tissues, discussed in my book) in chronic pain, and the unique and measureable effects of Tai Chi and related exercises on enhanced blood oxygen saturation, diffusion and oxygen based metabolism, it also worth researching the Metarobic effects of these exercises for various conditions, including fibromyalgia.
Other conditions which can result in chronic pain include multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic disease which attacks the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves). Symptoms can range from numbness of the limbs to complete paralysis or loss of vision (2). The research into Tai Chi and MS has been limited primarily to benefits for balance, improvement in walking speed, flexibility, vitality and social and psychological factors (3). But if Tai Chi enhances all of the body’s systems (through the Metarobic effect described above), there may be direct benefits for pain and other symptoms of MS, as suggest by the following pilot study (and the case stories I will be posting later this week on the Metarobics Facebook Page). In the pilot study, eight secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients were enrolled into a Tai Chi/Qigong class (4). Benefits increased with the amount of time Tai Chi was practiced at home. One participant who practiced little (about 50 minutes per week), experienced almost no benefits. Those who practiced for approximately 200 to 400 minutes per week reported improvement in balance, reduction in feelings of “pins and needles,” pain, fatigue, depression, stiffness of joints, and reduced numbness in fingers and feet (this again stresses the importance of considering dosage (frequency and duration) when researching benefits).
The researchers noted that typical expectations of medical interventions for MS is to slow the progression of the disease. In this study, participants actually showed improvements in functioning on several points. An over 31% improvement in symptoms was reported. Replication of the study on a larger scale was recommended to better understand potential benefits, particularly considering the wide variety of symptoms associated with MS.
The research for Tai Chi grows daily, but still has a long way to go. A Metarobic perspective can help direct investigations related to physiological mechanisms of change, and how to maximize benefits for various conditions. Sadly enough, the primary barrier in queries to research institutions, has been related to comments that a Metarobic approach seems too simple. But considering the basic simplicity of aerobic theory, and the exponential development, research and growth of aerobic exercise following Dr. Cooper’s work, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most profound of all. For more information, please see my book “Tai Chi Therapy: The Science of Metarobics,” available on Amazon.com.
One last note, I have been getting queries regarding using Tai Chi for balance, following my post earlier in June. So I made a short video for the Metarobics YouTube Channel, which can be viewed by clicking HERE. Or you can use the following link. I do want to note that my focus in the "Repulse the Monkey" movement is on the hand in front, which can help with balance for many people. I originally learned Repulse the Monkey with the eyes following the hand towards the back and then to the front. Both methods are practiced in schools of Tai Chi, although from my experience, most follow the movements towards the back. As you gain skill, you may wish to try following the hand through the back swing (or side swing in some styles). There are applications to both the front and back from a martial perspective (one as an arm lock or break, the other as a throw).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrSiDtFGio
Dr. Pete Gryffin
Citations
1. Wang C, Schmid C, Kalish R, Yinh J, Rones R, Goldenberg D, McAlindon T. Tai Chi is Effective in Treating Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2010; 363: 743-54.
2. PubMed Health. Multiple Sclerosis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001747/
3. Husted C, Pham L, Hekking A, Niederman R. Improving quality of life for people with chronic conditions: The example of T'ai chi and multiple sclerosis. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 1999; 5(5):70-74
4. Mills N, Allen J, Carey Morgan S. Does Tai Chi/Qi Gong help patients with Multiple Sclerosis? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2000: 4(1), 39-48.
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