[B]Tai chi and pain-free
UCLA study shows the traditional Chinese low-impact, mind-body exercise may help tension headaches
[/B]Monday, August 20, 2007
By ANDREA BOYARSKY
STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Before Rick Barrett began practicing tai chi nearly 30 years ago, he had back and neck problems as well as headaches. He realized he must be doing something wrong in his life for the aches to persist.
He had been working as a building contractor and the job stress was creating tension and imbalance in his body. His energy wasn’t flowing correctly and even though massage and chiropractic therapy provided relief, he hadn’t changed his underlying body patterns, making it only temporary.
“[The aches] were a product of stress, the way in which I was handling the stress,” said Barrett, 56, who teaches tai chi (aka, tai chi chuan) classes at the Staten Island Jundokan/Kouketsu Dojo in Grant City.
“Tai chi chuan allows you to move without the internal conflict that causes energy blockage,” he added. “Gradually, we learn that we are even more powerful in this relaxed state than when tied in knots.”
During his class on a recent Wednesday morning, 10 people slowly moved to soothing music. They gracefully bent their knees, twisted their bodies and extended their arms in continuous, fluid motions. The atmosphere was one of relaxation as the participants cleared their heads and released the stress of daily life.
According to Barrett, traditional Chinese medicine states that most physical problems are a result of lack of vital energy (chi) and poor circulation of chi. People heal when there is sufficient energy circulating efficiently throughout the body.
GENTLE MOVEMENTS
People across the country practice tai chi to help with a variety of ailments. Its gentle movements and emphasis on breathing, relaxation and coordination have been shown to help lower blood pressure, boost immune, cardiovascular and pulmonary function, as well as improve balance in the elderly.
A recent study conducted by the University of California at Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Center for East-West Medicine adds one more medical malady to the list: Tension headaches.
“A lot of people have tension headaches and they just take Tylenol or over-the-counter medications, which buys them some relief, but doesn’t get to the root of the problem,” said Dr. Ka-Kit Hui, founder and director of the center and co-author of the study.
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