Knee X-ray

People that are at least 65 years of age or older with knee osteoarthritis (OA), that practice Tai Chi, enhance their physical function and encounter a decrease pain, according to a new Tufts University School of Medicine study. Osteoarthritis is a general form of arthritis that causes a breakdown of joint cartilage. Chiropractors treat a large number people who have developed OA in a number of regions of the body, including the knee joints. Knee pain and disability is one of the most commonplace conditions of the musculoskeletal system, second only to spinal dysfunctions. In fact, an extraordinary 4.3 million men and women in the US over 60 years of age have been diagnosed with knee OA, according to the CDC, and it anticipates that by age 85, half of American adults may develop symptoms of OA. Knee osteoarthritis results in pain, mobility limitations, functional disabilities, and a decreased quality of life.

Why do so many people develop OA? As with most of the musculoskeletal problems that we develop as we age, undue stress to a joint day after day is a major determinant. Therefore, as people get older they are more likely to develop OA in their joints, including the knees. Incorrect mechanics of the knee, improper gait, compensatory foot mechanics as an offset 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. Many chiropractors advocate such natural, drug-free practices as Tai Chi, in combination with their chiropractic management. Tai Chi (Chuan) is a traditional style of Chinese martial arts that features slow, rhythmic movements that create mental relaxation, as well as increased balance, an augmentation of strength, and improved flexibility.

The 40 men and women selected for the Tufts study were on an average 65 years of age, overweight, and with confirmed osteoarthritis of the knee. Otherwise they were healthy. Individuals were picked at random to take part 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 practice incorporates the variety of range of motion, flexibility, muscle conditioning, and aerobic workout that is consistent with current exercise recommendations for osteoarthritis. In addition, researchers found that the “mental component” of Tai Chi stimulated a sense of well-being, life enjoyments, and impressions of health that aided the participants in dealing differently with chronic pain. Significantly, the group practicing Tai Chi experienced a substantial decrease in knee pain compared with those in the control group.

Full findings of the study are published in the November 2009 issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.

Technorati Tags: chiropractic, chiropractor, knee OA, knee pain, osteoarthritis, Tai Chi, Tufts University School of Medicine