Tai Chi and the Elderly Essay - 2261 Words

Introduction: In recent years, western civilization has adopted Tai Chi as not only a physical activity, but also a highly recommended rehabilitation method. Within physical therapy, Tai Chi is looked upon as an intervention to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.1 Since the aging adult experiences a decline in balance and more than one-third of those 65 years and older experience a fall related incident each year, it is logical to purport that regular participation in Tai Chi may be an ideal exercise program for the geriatric population.2 However, is Tai Chi physically and cognitively suitable for all elderly individuals? What factors should the Physical Therapist consider before recommending Tai Chi? Though the initial idea†¦show more content†¦It enables you to string together all parts of the body as a whole and, constantly under the command of your mind in a very relaxed manner. The second purpose is a technique for self-defense. Through this mind-body conditioning process, Tai Chi Chuan inevitably becomes a part of you. You learn to react not with your muscles, but with your mind which is always superior. As to self-defense, it is a matter of reaction in your mind, not your muscles. The third purpose is that Tai Chi Chuan can also act as a dancing art. It is solely for the benefit of the doer, not for the audience. The movement itself is as beautiful as it can be, but more important the wonderful feeling you experience within yourself as you do it. It also opens and cultivates excellent sensitivity for your mind and body. Finally, the fourth purpose is seen as a healing art. Is has won much acclaim as a healing exercise for various ailments and clinical conditions. Individual’s mental, physical, and emotional health as an entity can best be achieved and maintained by practicing Tai Chi Chuan.4 Methodology: Participants: 15 total participants, age range 48-78; all community dwelling; independent with ambulation (no assistive devices needed), and independent with transportation. Program Description: A Tai Chi Chuan class at the Orlando Senior Center. The class was a two hour, slow paced, martial-arts like dance routine that consisted of a warm-up, a technique phase, and sequenceShow MoreRelatedThe Center For Disease Report810 Words   |  4 PagesReport (CDC) for Mortality and Morbidity Weekly has reported falls as being the leading cause of injury among the elderly adult. According to stats released by the CDC, there are an estimated one to three falls that occur among the elderly resulting in a direct medical cost of $30 billion yearly. According to Barbour et al. (2012) falls often result in significant consequences for the elderly adult patients including, hip fracture, brain injuries, limited functional abilities, and reductions in physicalRead MoreTai Chi1346 Words   |  6 PagesBenefits of practicing Tai Chi Tai Chi is a therapeutic exercise which originated as a martial art. It is a slow moving martial art based on the Eastern belief that a life force (chi) or energy circulates throughout the body by way of pathways called meridians. A disruption in this flow of energy is believed to result in illness or disease. Therefore, a balance of chi is essential for health and Tai Chi is an exercise which promotes this proper flow of energy. However, it is both a physical andRead MoreEssay about The History and Evolution of Tai Chi1005 Words   |  5 PagesThe History and Evolution of Tai Chi Tai Chi is a result of the Chinese Taoists. The Taoists in their observation of nature found nothing was entirely still. If prey stayed in one place, the beasts of the forest would take advantage. They also found that this principle applied to humans as well and that if they remain stagnant, it opened the door for disease and old age. From this revelation, the Taoists began creating martial art forms, as well as using yoga introduced from India, to beRead MoreTai Chi Health Benefits1177 Words   |  5 PagesAs a Chinese traditional martial art, Tai Chi Chuan is also called â€Å"meditation in motion† and is famous for its overall health benefits. Although its motion is slow and gentle, it provides good exercise to improve muscle strength, flexibility and aerobic conditioning as other common fitness sports. Besides these, it also offers other benefits that other common sports cannot give us, such as the balance improvement, the reduced probability of falling, relieving dep ression, easing of Parkinson’s diseaseRead MoreLow Personal Information Regarding The Quality Of Life1015 Words   |  5 PagesIt was also said that previous positive results are effective worldwide including all age groups. According to Roberson et al. (2015) Tai Chi can increase balance, lessen one’s anxiety, and lower pain. Sannes, Mansky, and Chesney (2008) study aim investigated the variation seen in the length and training session done in randomized controlled trials involving Tai Chi Chih (TCC). The second objective of their study was to examine the attendance rates reported in scheduled intervention classes. TheirRead MoreAssessment Of Chronic Pain1329 Words   |  6 Pageschronic pain, rather be by its cause or its severity. One of the most often relied on ways to manage chronic pain in the elderly is through pharmaceutical methods. (Pateinakis, 2013) In the elderly differences in drug efficacy and the incidences of toxicity can be very common. The way the b ody ages increases sensitivity to centrally acting drugs. Because of the increased risks in elderly clients should begin taking the lowest effective dose, then gradually increased to achieve steady blood levels, andRead MoreParkinson s Disease : A Disease1196 Words   |  5 Pagescases are reported each year,† (Clinero Inc.). This is just the one country; there is a total of over 10 million people worldwide that are living with Parkinson’s. Only a measly 4% of Parkinson’s patients are under fifty years old. Not only does the elderly have to deal with getting older and already having physical, mental degeneration but getting PD increases all of that. Cause and Symptoms. What is causing Parkinson’s? The main cause of Parkinson’s has to do with low levels of dopamine. DopamineRead MoreTreatment Of Geriatric Depression : A Randomized Controlled Trial1699 Words   |  7 PagesAPA Citation of Article Lavretsky, H., Altstein, L., Olmstead, R. E., Ercoli, L., Riparetti-Brown, M., St. Cyr, N., Irwin, M. R. (2011). Complementary Use of Tai Chi Chih Augments Escitalopram Treatment of Geriatric Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry†¯: Official Journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(10), 839–850. http://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e31820ee9ef Article 1 Older adults with depression reported to have moreRead MoreEssay The Benefits of Tai Chi3680 Words   |  15 PagesTai Chi History of Tai Chi One of the most relaxing forms of martial arts, Tai Chi, can help to overcome such problems as arthritis, rheumatism, back problems, lack of balance, high blood pressure, stress, post-traumatic stress, lack of energy, and more. Tai Chi is a non violent form of the martial arts whose roots are derived from the Chinese and correlated with Traditional Chinese Medicinal techniques. There are many forms of Tai Chi, including Tai Chi Chuan and Tai Chi Chih;Read MoreTai Chi For Fall Prevention For Older Adults Using A Twice A Week Program Model1830 Words   |  8 Pagesand postural instability.1-2 Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi for Fall Prevention for older adults using a twice a week program model. 3The purpose of this report is to identify if a once-a-week Tai Chi program makes a significant difference in improving the balance of a 78-year-old community-dwelling elderly. Case Description: The subject of this study is a 78-year-old female with post open-reduction-internal fixation on right hip