Tai Chi For Arthritis

By Robin Malby

For people who deal with arthritic joints, injured backs, fibromyalgia or any other autoimmune illness or weakened condition, it is a challenge to find a form of exercise they can handle. They sign up for an exercise class or embark on a home regimen of stretches and weight lifting, only to end up dropping out because joints hurt, symptoms flare, or they're overwhelmed by fatigue.

I spent twelve years recovering from a serious back injury that included myofacial spasms and later developed into fibromyalgia. As I moved towards recovery, I tried numerous exercise classes in the hopes of building up weak muscles, only to end up dropping out because my pain level would increase or I couldn't keep up the pace. In 1998 I stumbled upon an ad for a local Tai Chi for Arthritis class and knew after one eight week session that I had finally found an exercise program that worked for me. The movements were gentle enough that my body didn't flare into pain, and they seemed to give me more energy.

The Tai Chi for Arthritis Program was developed by Dr. Paul Lam, a family physician and Tai Chi master who himself has arthritis. Along with a team of rheumatologists and physical therapists, he created a simpler program of Tai Chi for people with physical limitations. It is based on Sun Style Tai Chi, which has a higher stance and fewer forms. The slow paced movements improve flexibility, muscle strength, balance and range of motion. It can relieve stress, and has a calming effect on the nervous system, so muscles and ligaments can be exercised without creating too much tension.

After a few years, my health had improved so much I decided to train and become a Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor. This has been a joyful and rewarding experience, for the past seven years, I have been able to teach what I believe in.