More than two millennia ago in China, Tai Chi was developed to focus the body and mind into one comfortable entity. Even now that medicine, surgery, and health science as a whole has advanced through technology and study, Tai Chi is still widely used to this day.
Many people describe Tai Chi as “meditation in motion” as it involves gentle yet deliberate movements to heal the body and calm the mind. Sore joints feel rejuvenated, headaches are alleviated, and stressful thoughts are abandoned during a Tai Chi session. Due to the zero-impact, big-benefit nature of Tai Chi, more and more health clinics are encouraging senior citizens to practice it regularly.
The Old Intersects the New
If you ask someone who practices Tai Chi often if it is beneficial, they are going to tell you ‘yes’, resoundingly so. You could just take their word on it and start enjoying Tai Chi sessions yourself because of it. But for those who are curious and scientifically minded, recent studies have begun to uncover the true secrets of how Tai Chi helps our bodies.
It has been found that the circular, relaxed motions common in Tai Chi motions helps develop arterial flexibility, or how easily your arteries react to the pressure of your own heartbeat. The more flexible your arteries, the less strain on your body and your heart.
There is scientific evidence to suggest that Tai Chi helps treat or cure:
- Alzheimer’s
- Arthritis
- Blood pressure complications
- Concentration
- Joint strength
- Parkinson’s disease
There is hardly an elder in America that does not complain of at least one of the aforementioned conditions. Thus, Tai Chi for elders is on the rise, and thankfully so. We can all agree that the more comfortable our elders are in their daily lives, the better.
At King Street Rehab, we offer Tai Chi classes as part of our physical therapy plans and long-term care programs. If you would like to know more about this beneficial and gentle ancient technique and how we incorporate it into our therapy, please do not hesitate to contact our Westchester County rehab center today.