| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | says that, . . . . evidence there is suggests that |
| Emerging medical research indicates that an ancient | | | | the benefits of tai chi extend beyond those of simply |
| health therapy may be the prescription for the | | | | exercising. The combination of exercise, meditation, |
| future. Increasingly the menopausal problems of | | | | and breathing all may help relieve anxiety and |
| hormonal imbalance, often resulting in bone loss, are | | | | depression. . . In its article entitled, Tai chi, |
| also affected by depression and stress. Change is | | | | the Mayo Clinic staff at stated that preliminary |
| stressful for all of us, even good changes, like | | | | research shows that practicing Tai Chi regularly may |
| changes of life. Maturity is a good thing, yet the | | | | not only reduce anxiety and depression, but also |
| stress of major life changes can result in stress and | | | | increase bone mineral density after menopause. This |
| depression, which according to emerging research | | | | was echoed by a report in by Natural Standard and |
| may further aggravate the uncomfortable symptoms | | | | the Faculty of Harvard Medical School. |
| of menopause. Is there any escape from this | | | | This is a very important finding, and begins to make |
| catch-22? Yes, although this may seem overwhelming | | | | even more sense, when you consider the National |
| in its scope, there may be great news. An ancient | | | | Institutes of Mental Health reports that the stress |
| Chinese natural health therapy, known as Tai Chi, | | | | hormones found in depressed women caused bone |
| may help alleviate many of the aggravating | | | | loss that gave them bones of women nearly twice |
| symptoms of menopause in profoundly healthful | | | | their age. Exactly why Tai Chi offers such benefit |
| ways. | | | | may be explained by a study from Australia’s |
| Of course only your physician can help you decide | | | | La Trobe University that found that Tai Chi reduced |
| what is right for your personal therapy as you enter | | | | levels of stress hormones more effectively than |
| the menopausal transition. However, you may find | | | | some other forms of activity. (Details at: |
| that you need to educate your physician regarding | | | | But, no matter how you slice it, research is indicating |
| the benefits Tai Chi may offer you at this important | | | | that Tai Chi may be a very effective |
| time in your life. Or, perhaps if you ask around you | | | | multi-level beneficial therapy for women. A Chinese |
| may find a physician who has already educated | | | | study reported in the December 2004 Physician |
| himself or herself about the benefits Tai Chi may | | | | and Sportsmedicine found that tai chi could retard |
| offer all women, but definitely has much to offer | | | | bone loss among postmenopausal women significantly. |
| women entering menopause. | | | | Bone mineral density was measured before and after |
| Emerging research indicates that Tai Chi can help | | | | the study period. Both groups experienced general |
| reduce the incidence of depression, anxiety, and | | | | bone loss, but the rate of bone loss for the Tai Chi |
| mood disturbance in regular practitioners. In a | | | | group was less than in the control group. In fact, the |
| Prevention Magazine report entitled, Tai Chi May | | | | Tai Chi practicing group of women slowed bone loss |
| Relieve Anxiety and Depression, Donal P. | | | | by 2.6 to 3.6 times more. The study reported, |
| O'Mathuna, Ph.D., a lecturer in Health Care Ethics at | | | | Bone loss was 2.6 to 3. |
| the School of Nursing in Dublin City University, Ireland | | | | |