Functional anatomy seminar

About a dozen kenpo and tai chi students attended our first functional anatomy for martial artists seminar here in Celebration, FL. The feedback has been  great! I was told Dr. Rowe kept what could have been presented as "over one's head" as very understandable and relevant to what we do.

   We used a combination of handouts, lecture, PowerPoint, anatomy models and hands-on in the sessions.  Doc and I are planning two more parts to the series and if there is enough interest, we can "take it on the road" to other parts of the country.

   If you're interested in attending the next one or in having one at your studio, please watch my website for dates or contact me at lee@leewedlake.com.

The doctor is in

Two articles sent by Doc Rowe

How Zen meditation controls pain
2010-12-09
Previous studies have shown that Zen meditation has many health benefits, including a reduced sensitivity to pain. Now researchers at the Universite de Montreal have discovered how meditators achieve this.
They found that meditators do feel pain but they simply don't dwell on it as much.
"Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we demonstrated that although the meditators were aware of the pain, this sensation wasn't processed in the part of their brains responsible for appraisal, reasoning or memory formation," said senior author Pierre Rainville.
"We think that they feel the sensations, but cut the process short, refraining from interpretation or labelling of the stimuli as painful," Rainville said.
Rainville and his colleagues compared the response of 13 Zen meditators to 13 non-meditators to a painful heat stimulus.
Pain perception was measured and compared with functional MRI data. The most experienced Zen practitioners showed lower pain responses and decreased activity in the brain areas responsible for cognition, emotion and memory.
In addition, there was a decrease in the communication between a part of the brain that senses the pain and the prefrontal cortex.
These findings may have implications for chronic pain sufferers, such as those with arthritis, back pain or cancer.

#2
A new study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) found meditation provides the same protection against depression and depressive relapse as traditional antidepressant medication.
"With the growing recognition that major depression is a recurrent disorder, patients need treatment options for preventing depression from returning to their lives," said Dr. Zindel Segal, Head of the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Clinic in the Clinical Research Department at CAMH.
Recent studies have shown about half of depressed people on antidepressants stop taking them, sometimes within two to four months, well before the medication has had a chance to work.
Segal said this could be due to side effects or an unwillingness to take medication for years.
"Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a non pharmacological approach that teaches skills in emotion regulation so that patients can monitor possible relapse triggers as well as adopt lifestyle changes conducive to sustaining mood balance," said Segal.
For the study, participants who were diagnosed with major depressive disorder were all treated with an antidepressant until their symptoms remitted.
They were then randomly assigned to come off their medication and receive MBCT, come off their medication and receive a placebo, or stay on their medication.
Participants in MBCT attended 8 weekly group sessions and practiced mindfulness as part of daily homework assignments.
Clinical assessments were conducted at regular intervals, and over an 18 month period, relapse rates for patients in the MBCT group did not differ from patients receiving antidepressants (both in the 30% range), whereas patients receiving placebo relapsed at a significantly higher rate (70%).
"The real world implications of these findings bear directly on the front line treatment of depression. For that sizeable group of patients who are unwilling or unable to tolerate maintenance antidepressant treatment, MBCT offers equal protection from relapse," said Segal.
"Sequential intervention -- offering pharmacological and psychological interventions -- may keep more patients in treatment and thereby reduce the high risk of recurrence that is characteristic of this disorder."
The study was published in the current issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

We have a winner

Marc Rowe earned a gold medal in his first powerlifting event for the deadlift. Marc is planning to train for another in February. If you don't know Marc, you need to know he's 80. He channeled his chi and lifted 242 pounds; first place in his age/weight group and likely a state or national record.
  Congrats!

Asian Journal of Martial Arts

This is a high-end magazine for martial artists and they've made it possible to purchase individual articles from their back issues. I had my article with Doc Rowe in there about a year or so ago, so if you want to get that without buying the whole magazine at .15 per page, go to this link. http://www.journalofasianmartialarts.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_articles.tpl&product_id=487&category_id=23&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=103
For the entire list of available articles go here;
http://www.journalofasianmartialarts.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100020

More on an interesting teaching technique

Doc Rowe saw my post and wrote back with the below, which he gave permission to post.

Lee, saw your blog about Dr. Clatworthy and me. He actually pulled the same technique you do to me in push hands. As we progressed he led me on and I figured I finally got him. I said "newborn babies can't tolerate cold!" -got ya. He looked at me and said "why is that?" I looked at him and admitted I didn't have the foggiest idea, never actually thought about it, it just was. He said "bull sh..t you, damn well better find out."



Ten years later, after long days in the lab and extensive studying I presented a number of research studies at national meetings and published a series of articles on newborn thermoregulation in the medical literature and wrote the article in the standard textbook of Pediatric Surgery on temperature control of the newborn surgical patient.


What my boss didn't know was that after every dueling session I sat down and wrote down the troubling questions that we uncovered in my trusty notebook and they formed the basis for much of my research and the basis for my NIH grants on how the newborn responds to life threatening challenges. Much to my embarrassment I became internationally recognized as the pioneer in the field of newborn surgical physiology. You know I fell a little awkward about talking about this stuff but the above is a true story and illustrate the profound and life changing effect a true teacher can have on his student. Marc
 
Marc gave me one of those little notebooks, which he calls an auxilary brain, and I tote it with me from time to time when I sit with him. He's one of those guys that if he's talking you should be listening and taking notes.

An interesting teaching technique

Dr. Marc Rowe and I were talking about his days as a pediatric surgeon-in-training and he related an interesting story about how his mentor taught using an interesting technique. His boss asked him "how are babies different from adults?" He followed that by telling him that since was the boss he'd go first (good leadership example. Or a way to bag your student). "Babies are smaller than adults", he said. Marc countered with something like "Babies can't talk". The distinctions got more and more fine as they progressed. This technique requires one to think hard and intelligently about similarities and differences. We could use it in discussing kenpo techniques.
   Kenpo people love to talk about relationships of techniques, opposites and reverses and the like. So much that sometimes we get wrapped up in that and not doing the physical end. We point that out by saying "Less yak and more smack". But having what Doc calls a "fertile, prepared mind" and a discussion of this type can certainly be illuminating.
   Thanks to Doc Rowe for the story.

The doctor is in

This is big news for fibromyalgia sufferers. Dr. Rowe sent this along.

Chinese practice of tai chi may be effective as a therapy for fibromyalgia, according to a study published on Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

A clinical trial at Tufts Medical Center found that after 12 weeks of tai chi, patients with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, did significantly better in measurements of pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression than a comparable group given stretching exercises and wellness education. Tai chi patients were also more likely to sustain improvement three months later.
“It’s an impressive finding,” said Dr. Daniel Solomon, chief of clinical research in rheumatology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, who was not involved in the research. “This was a well-done study. It was kind of amazing that the effects seem to carry over.”
Although the study was small, 66 patients, several experts considered it compelling because fibromyalgia is a complex and often-confusing condition, affecting five million Americans, mostly women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since its symptoms can be wide-ranging and can mimic other disorders, and its diagnosis depends largely on patients’ descriptions, not blood tests or biopsies, its cause and treatment have been the subject of debate.
“We thought it was notable that The New England Journal accepted this paper, that they would take fibromyalgia on as an issue, and also because tai chi is an alternative therapy that some people raise eyebrows about,” said Dr. Robert Shmerling, clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, co-author of an editorial about the study.
“Fibromyalgia is so common, and we have such a difficult time treating it effectively. It’s defined by what the patient tells you,” he added. “It’s hard for some patients’ families and their doctors to get their head around what it is and whether it’s real. So, that these results were so positive for something that’s very safe is an impressive accomplishment.”
Recent studies have suggested that tai chi, with its slow exercises, breathing and meditation, could benefit patients with other chronic conditions, including arthritis. But not all of these reports have been conclusive, and tai chi is hard to study because there are many styles and approaches.
The fibromyalgia study involved the yang style of tai chi, taught by a Boston tai chi master, Ramel Rones. Dr. Solomon and other experts cautioned that bigger studies with other masters and approaches were necessary.
Still, patients, who received twice-weekly tai chi classes and a DVD to practice with 20 minutes daily, showed weekly improvement on an established measurement, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, improving more than the stretching-and-education group in physicians’ assessments, sleep, walking and mental health. One-third stopped using medication, compared with one-sixth in the stretching group.
Dr. Chenchen Wang, a Tufts rheumatologist who led the study, said she attributed the results to the fact that “fibromyalgia is a very complex problem” and “tai chi has multiple components — physical, psychological, social and spiritual.”
The therapy impressed Mary Petersen, 59, a retired phone company employee from Lynn, Mass., who said that before participating in the 2008 study, “I couldn’t walk half a mile,” and it “hurt me so much just to put my hands over my head.” Sleeping was difficult, and she was overweight. “There was no joy to life,” she said. “I was an entire mess from head to foot.”
She had tried and rejected medication, physical therapy, swimming and other approaches. “I was used to being treated in a condescending manner because they couldn’t diagnose me: ‘She’s menopausal, she’s crazy.’ ”
Before the study, “I didn’t know tai chi from a sneeze,” said Ms. Petersen, who has diabetes and other conditions. “I was like, ‘Well, O.K., I’ll get to meet some people, it will get me out of the house.’ I didn’t believe any of it. I thought this is so minimal, it’s stupid.”
After a few weeks, she said she began to feel better, and after 12 weeks “the pain had diminished 90 percent.” She has continued tai chi, lost 50 pounds and can walk three to seven miles a day.
“You could not have convinced me that I would ever have done this or continued with this,” she said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a cure. I will say it’s an effective method of controlling pain.”
Dr. Shmerling said that though tai chi is inexpensive compared with other treatments, some patients would reject such an alternative therapy. And Dr. Gloria Yeh, a Beth Israel Deaconess internist and co-author of the editorial, said others “will say, ‘It’s too slow, I can’t do that.’ ”
But she said it offered a “gentler option” for patients deterred by other physical activities. “The mind-body connections set it apart from other exercises,” she said, adding that doctors are seeking “anything we can offer that will make patients say ‘I can really do this.’ ”

Podcasts update

Sice uploading my first podcasts in late June, I've found they've been downloaded over 1300 times. This past week Dr. Rowe and I did some on impact injuries to your breathing apparatus, catgorizing them three ways. You can affect breathing by shutting off the nerve signals, by choking off the air or by impact. I describe how KenpoTV works, too. Listen at
 http://feed.podcastmachine.com/podcasts/3314/mp3.rss
or through i Tunes at
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=381705015

Slap 'em!

Many martial arts have resuscitation techniques taught as part of their system. Hmm, missing in Parker Kenpo as part of the standard curriculum. (I have to say that many of us fill that gap with required First Aid/ CPR/AED/other training such as traditional Chinese medicine, Danzan-Ryu ju-jitsu and Judo kappo, etc.
Mr. LaBounty in CA, Kurt Barnhart in IL, Steve White in NH come to mind.)
Below links were sent to me by Bujin Kenpo brother Nelson Kari in Illinois as part of an e-mail exchange we had about an accupressure point. I was reminded that they slap the feet to bring someone back from unconsciousness. 
In kappo jutsu: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappo
They also used to slap the sole of the feet with a stick to reanimate an unconscious person.
http://judoinfo.com/books/kuatsu.pdf
     Naturally, I had to run it by Doc (Marc Rowe). Marc's a retired pediatric surgeon and he immediately commented that it's a technique they use to get a baby breathing. No, they don't hit them with a stick. They thump their foot with a finger snap. My lady, Jan, immediately knew this when I mentioned it, she having been in the medical field, too.
   Now they question is why it works. Turns out there's a point in the foot that sends a message to your cerebral cortex. Go figure.

More on CPR

Lance Soares in MA is one of my black belts who is a Paramedic and former miltary medic. He sent this comment in.
The American Heart Association has been toying with this concept for awhile now. Many of us believe this is the future of CPR for all levels of provider. The Good Samaritan Law however are different from state to state and should be researched by those who learn CPR for their own sake (Here's some info to get started.)

http://firstaid.about.com/od/medicallegal/f/07_good_sam_law.htm

Below are comments from Dr. Rowe, who is also a certified CPR instructor. He's been urging me to get mine but I'm lagging a bit. Several good points here.
 
Several mechanisms can result in cardiac arrest. If the patient is walking along and suddenly drops (dead)-SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST, the cause is almost always the heart-. The heart has either stopped or is quivering, fibrillating. The red cells are charged up with oxygen because the victim had been breathing right up to the arrest, but the heart is not pumping so the oxygenated blood cannot be delivered, cannot get to the cells. Chest compression squeezes the heart and pumps the already oxygenated blood around so the oxygen can be dumped off to the cells of the brain and heart. Compression works in very effectively when the cause is the heart and the arrest is sudden.

However a second major cause of cardiac arrest is lack of oxygen-hypoxic arrest due to problems with respirations and breathing. Oxygen does not get into the blood and the cells therefore are starved of oxygen. The heart and brain cells are injured and die and the cardiac center in the brain and the heart muscles shut down and the heart stops. This usually takes minutes so the patient does not just suddenly drop. The airway may be blocked, the lungs damaged or ventilation interfered with.-drowning, choking and severe asthma attack are examples. Now you have blue blood-no oxygen in the red cells and dissolved in the blood. Now if you just do compressions you are pumping around unoxygenated blood and the patient will not survive. Here you need classic CPR-breaths and compressions , breaths to charge the blood with oxygen and compression to pump it around.

Since children usually arrest from breathing problems rather than heart problems classic CPR is indicated. Also if you come upon an arrested victim and there are no witnesses or information about the event, you do not know the cause of arrest and you should probably add breathing to resuscitation. Finally the most important action in resuscitation of a drowning victim is what is done immediately at the scene. Studies have shown immediate resuscitation at the scene rather than paramedic ,ER or ICU treatment determines survival . Immediate breathing for the victim at the scene is the single most important thing to do followed by compressions after the blood is oxygenated. Successful resuscitation is often associated with breathing for the victim when they are still in the water. Drowning is a classic example of hypoxic arrest. Bottom line-compression alone is good but one size does not always fit all.
 
Thanks to both of these professionals for their contributions.

Carotid choke article

Some of you have asked about the article I had published last year with Dr. Rowe. You can find it for purchase here.
http://www.journalofasianmartialarts.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=103&category_id=23&page=shop.browse&limit=20&limitstart=40

The doctor is in

Dr. Rowe sent this in. This study shows that people will not practice at home alone as much as being with a group. As karate instructors I think we know this. Marketing in studios and health clubs often use buddy deals to get people in so they will have a bit of peer pressure to go to class. I think this study proves this concept. But it also opens the avenues of tele-study, something I have been looking into.

Group tele-exercise for improving balance in elders.
Wu G, Keyes LM.
Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. ge.wu@uvm.edu

Abstract

This study was to assess the level of acceptance and efficacy of a group tele-exercise program designed for balance impaired elders to improve balance and reduce fear of falling. The program would allow a group of elderly subjects to participate in a structured, interactive, and supervised exercise class from their own homes through a videoconferencing system. A total of 17 independent living elderly subjects (mean age, 81 +/- 8 years) participated in the study. An Internet-based videoconferencing device (VCD) was installed in each subject's home, allowing real-time video and audio communication with the exercise instructor and all other participants. The exercise was in the form of Tai Chi Quan, three times per week for 15 weeks. The main study measures included exercise compliance, level of acceptance and satisfaction, and the effectiveness of the exercise program on balance, fear of falling, and general health. Three subjects dropped out of the study. For those remaining, the average compliance was 78% (range, 51% to 98%). All subjects were able to operate the VCD independently, and expressed earnest interest in continuing tele-exercise programs in the future. There were significant improvement (p < 0.05) postexercise in fear of falling score (18%), single leg stance time (43%), Up-and-Go time (21%), and body sway during quiet stance (>8%). This study has demonstrated that the group tele-exercise program is acceptable and welcomed by elders, and is effective for improving balance and reducing fear of falling.

PMID: 17042710 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The doctor is in

Dr. Rowe sent this in. Cerebral blood flow may be responsible for how fast you walk and less flow may increase probability of falling. They recommend exercise to increase the flow. Another reason to keep working out as you age. This is the last paragraph.

Impaired Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation Linked to Slow Gait Speed and Falls


Pauline Anderson


Prescribing Physical Exercise
Reached for a comment, David J. Thurman, MD, MPH, from the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in Atlanta, Georgia, who coauthored the American Academy of Neurology Risk of Falls guidelines, said the study was carefully designed and conducted. However, he told Medscape Neurology in an email that it is uncertain what conclusions can be drawn from the study. "One possibility is that abnormal cerebral blood vessel function itself is a contributing cause of gait abnormalities that lead to falls," he pointed out. "However, there are other possibilities. In particular, reduced vascular reactivity as well as gait abnormalities may both be separate results of physical inactivity or deconditioning."
Further research, probably in the form of longitudinal or follow-up studies, is needed to better understand these relationships, said Dr. Thurman. Meanwhile, he said, it is clear from past research that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for falls in the elderly. "Clinicians can significantly reduce this risk factor in their older patients by prescribing physical exercise, gait training, and physical therapy as appropriate for each individual."

The doctor is in

Martial arts training for elderly patients gets the green light


Martial arts could be the key to helping osteoporosis sufferers fall more safely. A study published in the open access journal BMC Research Notes has found that martial arts training can likely be carried out safely.

Brenda Groen worked with a team of researchers from the Sint Maartenskliniek, Nijmegen, to study the effects of fall training in six healthy people. She said, "For obvious safety reasons, this could not be directly assessed using persons with osteoporosis. Therefore, we measured the hip impact forces during the martial arts fall exercises in a group of young adults. Based on our results, however, we believe that fall training would be safe for persons with osteoporosis if they wear hip protectors during the training, perform fall exercises on a thick mattress, and avoid forward fall exercises from a standing position".

Using a force platform, the researchers were able to measure the force of each fall and compare this to known information about the amount of impact a patient with osteoporosis can withstand. The falls taught in this study all involved turning a fall into a rolling movement by bending and twisting the trunk and neck, and it is possible for older people to learn these impact-reducing techniques. Groen concludes, "Since martial arts techniques reduce hip impact forces and can be learned by older persons, martial arts fall training may prevent hip fractures among persons with osteoporosis".

The doctor is in

Dr. Rowe and I are working up an article on common medications and their effect on martial artists. Many people take medications for high cholesterol, allergies, high blood pressure, etc and continue to train in their art. But do you really know what taking some of these does in relation to what you practice? Some of them act as blood thinners; will that mean anything if you get cut? Others affect balance. Still others can cause internal bleeding when struck.
We're making a list of common over-the-counter and prescription medicines as well as some supplements. We think we'll catagorize them by effect and then discuss what the implications are in striking and grappling arts.
Ideas?

Another resource

I was having lunch with Dr. Rowe, his two daughters and a grand-daughter. The subject of self-defense came up and Debbie told me about Girls Fight Back. I've taken a look at the site and you may want to also.
http://www.girlsfightback.com/

"All you need is one person to show you... your own power"

I met author Tom West recently. He's written books on learning disabilities (The Mind's Eye is one) and he sent this along to myself and Dr. Rowe. The speaker in this clip is Aimee Mullins, who was born without shinbones and has won Paralympics events. The post title here is a quote from her speech. Her observations and the stories of her life demonstrate the impact of attitude, opportunity and having the right teacher. Parts gave me goosebumps. There are a few points I don't agree with but overall it's worth taking the time to watch and to share.

http://www.ted.com/talks/aimee_mullins_the_opportunity_of_adversity.html
For info on Tom West see this link.
http://krasnow.gmu.edu/trustees/biotw.html

The doctor is in

Marc Rowe sent this to me from the British Journal of Sports Medicine. If you can translate the medical-ese it says the tai chi master didn't lean forward or back, he kept his center. What do you know?

Br J Sports Med 2003;37:339-344 doi:10.1136/bjsm.37.4.339


Original article
Kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the push movement in tai chi

+ Author Affiliations
Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Correspondence to:
 Ms Chan, Department of Sports Science and Physical Education, Kwok Sports Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong;chan_suk_ping@alumni.cuhk.net

Accepted 16 September 2002

Abstract

Background: Tai chi is a form of exercise derived from the martial art folk traditions of China. The force used in tai chi includes different principles of mechanical advantage. No studies on the kinematic features of tai chi exercise have been published.
Objective: To analyse the kinematics and electromyographic characteristics of tai chi.
Methods: An experienced tai chi master was asked to perform a sequence of basic movements: ward off, roll back, press, and push. The movements were videotaped and digitised using a motion analysis system. Electromyographic activities of the lumbar erector spinae, rectus femoris, medial hamstrings, and medial head of gastrocnemius were recorded by surface electrodes. The push movement data were analysed.
Results: The medial hamstrings and medial head of gastrocnemius muscle groups maintained low activity, with higher electromyographic values in the lumbar erector spinae and substantially higher ones in the rectus femoris during the push movement. Both concentric and eccentric contractions occurred in muscles of the lower limbs, with eccentric contraction occurring mainly in the anti-gravity muscles such as the rectus femoris and the medial head of gastrocnemius. The forward and backward shifts in centre of gravity (CG) were mainly accomplished by increasing and decreasing respectively the joint angles of the bilateral lower limbs rather than by adopting a forward or backward postural lean. The path of the CG in the anteroposterior and mediolateral component was unique, and the sway or deviation from the path was small. The master maintained an upright posture and maintained a low CG (hips, knees, and ankles bent) while travelling slowly and steadily from one position to another.
Conclusion: The eccentric muscle contraction of the lower limbs in the push movement of tai chi may help to strengthen the muscles.

The doctor is in

This was dug up by Dr. Rowe. It is about how tai chi can help diabetes.
UF study: Tai chi can help people with diabetes lower glucose levels


Filed under Health, Research on Wednesday, September 30, 2009.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A regular tai chi exercise program can help people better control their diabetes and lower glucose levels, according to a University of Florida study.
In a study of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, those who participated in a supervised tai chi exercise program two days a week with three days of home practice for six months significantly lowered their fasting blood glucose levels, improved their management of the disease, and enhanced their overall quality of life, including mental health, vitality and energy.
“Tai chi really has similar effects as other aerobic exercises on diabetic control. The difference is tai chi is a low-impact exercise, which means that it’s less stressful on the bones, joints and muscles than more strenuous exercise,” said Beverly Roberts, the Annabel Davis Jenks endowed professor at the UF College of Nursing.
Roberts, with Rhayun Song, of Chungnam National University, studied tai chi’s effect on older Korean residents. The research was featured in the June issue of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
About 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8 percent of the population, have diabetes. It occurs when the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Risk factors include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, high blood pressure and cholesterol, a history of gestational diabetes and increased age, many of which can be reduced through exercise.
“People assume that for exercise to be beneficial you have to be huffing and puffing, sweating and red-faced afterward,” Roberts said. “This may turn people off, particularly older adults. However, we have found that activities like tai chi can be just as beneficial in improving health.”
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow, gentle circular movements. This low impact exercise uses shifts in body position and stepping in coordination with arm movements.
Sixty-two participants, mostly Korean women, took part in the study. Half the group participated in at least 80 percent of two supervised sessions one hour per week, with three days of home practice for six months, and the other half served as a control group. Those who completed the sessions had significantly improved glucose control and reported higher levels of vitality and energy.
“Those who participated in the tai chi sessions actually had lower blood glucose at three and six months,” Roberts said. “Those individuals also had lower hemoglobin A1c, which means they had better diabetic control.”
In addition to improved blood glucose levels, participants also reported significantly improved mental health. This was very encouraging especially since people with less depression are typically more active and independent, Roberts said.
Tai chi has also been used for people with arthritis and disabilities to increase balance, muscle strength and mobility and to reduce the risk of falls. It is worth investigating its effects in other conditions, especially in older people, Roberts said.
“Tai chi provides a great alternative for people who may want the benefits of exercise on diabetic control but may be physically unable to complete strenuous activities due to age, condition or injury,” Roberts said. “Future studies could examine if tai chi could similarly benefit conditions such as osteoporosis or heart disease.”
Since tai chi is an exercise that involves so many parts of the body and also helps to relax the mind, it is more likely participants will adhere to the exercise, said Paul Lam, a lecturer with the University of South Wales School of Public Health and Community Medicine and a practicing family physician in Sydney, Australia.
“This study shows that tai chi can have a significant effect on the management and treatment of diabetes — a significant and growing health challenge for all Western countries,” Lam said.
                                                                           -30-

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It's out!

The Journal of Asian Martial Arts Sept/Oct issue is out and it has the article on carotid chokes Dr. Rowe and I wrote. I rec'd the writer's copies so it should be on the stands.