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The CDC estimates that more than 1 in 4 adults age 65 or older will fall each year. Out of these falls, 1 in 5 will result in serious injury, such as broken bones and head injuries.

In addition, the Arthritis Foundation estimates that over 50 million adults suffer from one of the many forms of arthritis resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling and decreased ability to perform normal daily tasks.

The "Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention" is an evidence-based program recommended by both the Arthritis Foundation and the National Council on Aging to manage arthritis and reduce fall risk, increase balance and flexibility, and decrease stress.

The program was developed by Dr. Paul Lam, a family physician in Sydney, Australia who developed arthritis while still in his teens due to the malnutrition he experienced while growing up in China. Dr. Lam used tai chi to manage his own arthritis and eventually worked with tai chi, medical and education experts to create this program.

The Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program uses the Sun style of tai chi which has been modified to make it gentle on the joints, easy to learn, and significantly safer for older adults than other forms of tai chi. Often described as "meditation in motion," it consists of slow, continuous movements with a focus on body awareness, posture, weight shifting, and calming the mind. While the movements appear gentle and graceful, they contain a surprising internal power. Dr. Lam describes it as being like a calm, flowing river that has the power and strength to reshape the earth under its surface.

The power of the "Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention" program has been demonstrated in numerous medical studies by showing a significant decrease both in falls and in the pain and stiffness of arthritis.

It is performed using a higher stance than most other forms of tai chi and martial arts moves with higher risk have been modified or replaced with safer alternatives. This makes it both easier and safer for arthritis sufferers and those at risk for falls.

Instructor Diana Nielsen, certified teacher of the "Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention" program, says, "I love introducing people to this program and watching their balance and confidence improve. I have practiced other styles of tai chi for years but find this form is best for my own arthritis."

Each class consists of warm up and cool down exercises, a review of previously learned moves, and the learning of one or two new moves in a positive learning atmosphere. Over the course of the program, participants will build the balance and muscular strength that is important in both preventing falls and in stabilizing and protecting arthritic joints. The slow movement against gentle resistance also develops strength in the body's core stabilizer muscles which is critical to good posture and back health.

One does not need to have arthritis or a history of falls to benefit from this program. It is geared toward adults age 55 and older who would like a gentle, low-impact program that will increase their balance, mobility, flexibility, and lower body strength while decreasing stress.

Tai chi student Beverly Adams of Elk Grove Village states that this program has been "very rewarding" and that the "classes have been extremely helpful in my rehabilitation from knee and hip replacement surgery."

The Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program is being offered at the Amita Health Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital, 935 Beisner Road in Elk Grove Village.

It consists of 6 one-hour class sessions and is taught by Diana Nielsen, a licensed occupational therapy assistant and a certified instructor of the Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program.

A new class will be starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5. Register in advance by calling (847) 981-5556, option 2. All participants for this program must be able to walk unassisted for at least 100 feet for safety.

For questions on this program including additional class times and locations, please email TCAFP.DN@gmail.com.

Read the original here:
Learn how to curb the pain, stop the falls with tai chi program this fall - Chicago Daily Herald

This entry was posted on October 25, 2019 at 9:44 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |