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