The following article from the Miami Sun-Sentinel was sent by Marc Rowe and it pertains to the projected increase of population having arthitis and how tai chi can help. In the coming years more and more of us will be looking for alternative treatments. So, young instructors; learn tai chi well!
Florida will see the nation's biggest leap in arthritis cases by the year 2030 as today's seniors and Baby Boomers succumb to the age-related degeneration of the joints, federal researchers said Thursday.Obesity and inactive lifestyles also will help fuel the boom in arthritis, driving up health costs and straining parts of the medical system. The authors of the federal study called for people to exercise more and shed excess pounds to stave off the disease and lessen its debilitating effects."The population is growing so quickly in Florida and is aging," said the lead author, Mark Freedman, a researcher at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "But there are things we can do about [arthritis], things that work."Elizabeth Zahn has already started. The Lake Worth nurse, 67, who was disabled years ago by arthritis, said she barely got out of her chair until she joined a tai chi class given by the Arthritis Foundation in Palm Beach County."It's amazing, the change," Zahn said. "I would just sit and do nothing all day. Now after eight weeks of tai chi, I've cut down on my pain medications, I've cut down on my steroid pills" and cut the use of an electrical stimulator for back pain.The CDC study found that Florida, with 3.7 million arthritis sufferers, would see the number balloon to 6.3 million by 2030. That rise is larger than projected in any state and would make Florida second behind California in arthritis.
The researchers suggested more money for exercise programs and classes on coping with arthritis, which has more than 100 varieties. Only 11 percent of patients now enroll."I guess people are busy and they just don't want to commit," said Susie Rhodes, a foundation coordinator in West Palm Beach. "If the joints keep moving, they're less apt to be inflamed and sore and stiff. Just simple things like walking and stretching will help."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/health/sfl-rxarth04may04,0,7948505.story?coll=sfla-news-health
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Lee Wedlake has been teaching Kenpo Karate for over 35 years and has written a variety of Kenpo Books about different kenpo katas and kenpo concepts. Mr. Wedlake has worked directly with Ed Parker and is generous with his knowledge and his time. He is available for Kenpo Seminars and camps.
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