Tai Chi Beneficial For Chronic Neck Pain

Tai Chi Minnesota PainLast week we shared a story on how yoga may be helpful for individuals with low back pain. Today, we’re learning of new research out of Harvard that suggests another form of low-intensity exercise may be beneficial for people with chronic neck pain.

To better understand the benefits of the ancient martial arts technique, researchers gathered a group of 114 individuals who were at least 18 years old and who suffered from nonspecific chronic neck pain for at least three months. Half of the group was asked to participate in regular Tai Chi classes for a period of 12 weeks, while the other half acted as the control group.

It may not sound shocking that individuals in the Tai Chi group had better outcomes than individuals who did nothing to improve their condition, but that’s what researchers discovered.

“The study showed that 12 weeks of Tai Chi was more effective than no treatment to improve pain, disability, quality of life and postural control in persons with chronic neck pain,” said Peter M Wayne, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in the US.

Something Better Than Nothing

The news about Tai Chi having benefits for neck pain isn’t revolutionary, but it speaks to the larger point we try to express to our patients – that you need to put in the work if you want to take control of your pain. Your pain isn’t going to resolve simply by sitting down and popping a pill, you’re going to need to take an active role in pain management.

The researchers went on to say that Tai Chi was no better or worse for chronic neck pain than targeted neck exercises, but it again stresses the importance of strengthening your body to fight back against pain. As we’ve said before, there is no magic pill for chronic pain, and that holds true here. Even low intensity workouts can have amazing physical and psychological benefits. Don’t just hope your neck pain resolves, attack it head on.

Tai Chi May Help Relieve Chronic Pain

Tai Chi MinnesotaResearch published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that people who suffer from chronic pain may find relief by practicing Tai Chi.

Medical researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 34 studies involving nearly 1,600 patients to better understand Tai Chi’s effectiveness in treating chronic health conditions, like pain, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis and some cancers. Participants ranged in age from their mid-50s to early 70s, and they took part in 2-3 Tai Chi sessions each week over the course of 12 weeks.

After looking at the results, researchers concluded:

  • Participants in the Tai Chi group exhibited improved physical capacity, muscle strength, walking ability, bending and flexing range and ability to go from a seated to a standing position.
  • In patients with COPD, breathlessness was reduced for those in the Tai Chi group.
  • Patients with osteoarthritis who took part in Tai Chi saw improvements in pain and stiffness.

“The results demonstrated a favorable effect or tendency of Tai Chi to improve physical performance and showed that this type of exercise could be performed by individuals with different chronic conditions,” researchers said.

 Tai Chi and Pain

Tai Chi helps relieve pain and stress through choreographed movements that build muscle and improve balance and posture. The exercise technique also works to relax the individual through patterned breathing techniques.

The results of the study fall in line with previous research on the benefits of Tai Chi. The earlier study suggested preforming Tai Chi over the course of just 8 weeks can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Researchers also concluded that it can improve sleep quality and physical function while reducing anxiety and fatigue.

So if you’re suffering from chronic pain, back soreness or just seem overly anxious, give Tai Chi a try. We’ve already discussed the benefits of exercise at great lengths on the blog, but relaxed, coordinated movements can produce similar results. For more information about Tai Chi, or to check out some exercises for beginners, click here.