Tai Chi as a remedy for arthritis

Tai Chi as a remedy for arthritis: An interview with the President of the European Tai Chi Association TCFE, Sifu Nils Klug.

A study by the University of North Carolina's Chapel Hill School of Medicine has found that Chinese folk tai chi may reduce symptoms of inflammatory joint arthritis. "Heilpraxisnet.de" spoke with the president of the European Tai Chi Association TCFE, Sifu Nils Klug, in Hanover about the new findings in the research on Tai Chi as an aid against pain, restrictions of the musculoskeletal system and fatigue.

Mr. Klug, you yourself are a well-known tai chi teacher - now it became known through a study that tai chi helps against the arthritis joint disease. What are your experiences as a teacher in your lessons??
I remember a student who told me about significant improvements in her symptoms. She did not come to training after a few months. After about half a year, she came back and told me that she „foolishly“ had stopped practicing and their complaints started again. She then took another 1-2 years to attend my classes before moving to another city.

So far, what else have you been able to observe against which ailments Tai Chi helps?
Tai Chi Chuan stands on three pillars: health, meditation and martial arts. The most important thing is health. Tai Chi Chuan is a general health promoting system. It is thus practiced primarily for general health and well-being. I would like to call cardiovascular diseases, vegetative disorders, knee problems of all kinds, back pain and herniated discs, as well as tinnitus.

There are certain accumulations of complaints, which is why people visit the Tai Chi lesson?
First and foremost, most people are looking for a holistic training system. They want to settle down. They seek compensation for the stressful life in our performance society. Back and knee problems come second after stress reduction. Many are looking for Tai Chi Chuan lessons after spa and rehab stays, as they have met there.

Believe that in the wake of this sensational study, there will be more and more tai chi?
I think such studies help to promote Tai Chi.

What have you personally focused on in your Tai Chi class??
At the beginning I pay attention to correct joint positions and the strengthening of the legs. Without strengthening the base, it is very difficult or even impossible to relax the upper body. Once a satisfactory structure is in place, I attach importance to flowing movements and the interplay between tension and relaxation, that is, the dualism principle or also known as yin and yang. These changes are very important. Correctly performed, these changes cause a kind of massage, have a supporting effect on the lymphatic system and demonstrably increase the oxygen content of the tissue.

How do you see the development of Tai Chi over the next few years??
I am convinced that Tai Chi Chuan will grow in the next few years. It is a good alternative and complementary to conventional treatments for many diseases and ailments. It's not expensive, you do not need much space and no equipment to practice it. Many health insurance companies know this and promote at least the entry into Tai Chi courses. There are now many well-trained Tai Chi Chuan teachers throughout Germany. If the development in health care and the associated cost explosion continues, I see rosy times for my profession. We can definitely help to relieve the health system.

Are there projects on your side that want to promote the spread of tai chi??
I'm currently planning an internet portal in collaboration with a colleague from Scotland. We hope to be completely online in 2-3 weeks. We are planning a kind of Wikipedia for Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong and other inner Chinese arts. In addition to videos and a forum, there will also be an extensive database of teachers from all over Europe. We work with many organizations and individuals from across Europe, China, Taiwan and the US. There are also plans to study the health benefits of Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong.

Unfortunately, there are far too few scientifically founded studies. There are also other DVD and book productions around various topics such. B. Relaxation in work. Otherwise, I am an instructor in the DDQT (German umbrella organization for Qigong and Taijiquan e.V.) and the network (Taijiquan & Qigong Netzwerk Deutschand e.V.) active and organize once a year a big Tai Chi meeting.

Mr Klug, thank you for this interview!
It was my pleasure! (tf, 09.11.2010)

Also read:
With Tai Chi for arthritis complaints
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease?

Do you want to learn more about Tai Chi??
www.taiji-europa.de