Tai Chi Alternative Treatment for Osteoporosis

For postmenopausal women in the U.S., osteopenia (decreased calcium in bones) and osteoporosis (reduction of calcium in bone) is a growing public concern.  This problem is most prevalent for white woman and women of Asian descent. If you’re over 50, postmenopausal, and have had a bone density test revealing osteopenia, you may have a bone fracture in your future.  Even though this has become an increasing problem, little has been done developing effective interventions.

The objective of a recent study was to evaluate the use of Tai Chi as a possible method to reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women. Tai Chi practices flowing movement to maintain health.  This gentle martial-arts-based approach uses a constant shifting of body weight, emphasizes maintaining an upright position, uses different parts of the body as stabilizers, establishes a continuous slow tempo, and uses arm movements, moderate knee flexion, and flowing circular movements to help balance and joint flexibility.

Although few studies have been done that conclusively document the benefits of Tai Chi, the most credible of the studies suggests that people who practice Tai Chi had a significant reduction in bone loss. One other great advantage Tai Chi may offer is greater balance, which may help reduce the risk of falls. There are few adverse effects reported for Tai Chi, which makes it an excellent choice to practice into the later stages of life for both men and women.  The authors find the link between Tai Chi and reduction in bone loss promising and believe that more studies should be done.

For further information: “The effects of Tai Chi on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: A systematic review,” P.Wayne, PhD; D. Kielb; D. Krebs, PhD; R. Davis ScD; J. Savetsky-German, MPH, MAOM; M. Connelly, MD; J. Buring, ScD; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, volume 88, issue 5, p.673-680, May 2007.