Tai Chi & Qigong

Tai chi and qigong are Chinese movement practices built on slow, continuous sequences coordinated with breathing — low-impact enough to be studied extensively in older adults.

What published research reports

The NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that tai chi's best-supported effects are improved balance and reduced falls in older adults, with evidence also reported for knee osteoarthritis pain, fibromyalgia and general wellbeing, and describes the practice as very safe with minor muscle soreness as the most common complaint. Because falls are a leading documented cause of injury in older adults, fall-prevention guidelines in the public-health literature include tai chi among recommended balance-training options.

References

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Tai Chi: What You Need To Know. nccih.nih.gov