Tai Chi Linked to Improvements in Psychological Well-Being

From MedscapeCME Clinical Briefs

May 27, 2010 — Tai Chi appears to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being, although well-controlled, longer randomized trials are needed, according to the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis reported in the May 21 issue of BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

"Tai Chi, the Chinese low impact mind-body exercise, has been practiced for centuries for health and fitness in the East and is currently gaining popularity in the West," said lead author Chenchen Wang, from Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, in a news release. "It is believed to improve mood and enhance overall psychological well being, but convincing evidence has so far been lacking."

The reviewers searched 8 English-language and 3 Chinese-language databases through March 2009 for randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized controlled studies, and observational studies reporting at least 1 psychological health outcome. Two reviewers extracted and verified data, and a random-effects model allowed meta-analysis of randomized trials in each subcategory of health outcomes.

Methodologic quality of each study was also evaluated.

The reviewers identified 40 studies enrolling a total of 3817 participants and reporting on a total of 29 psychological measurements. Of 33 randomized and nonrandomized trials, 21 reported significant improvements in psychological well-being with 1 hour to 1 year of regular Tai Chi. Specific effects in community-dwelling healthy participants and in patients with chronic conditions were decreased stress (effect size [ES], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 - 1.09), anxiety (ES, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.29 - 1.03), and depression (ES, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31 - 0.80), and improved mood (ES, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20 - 0.69).

"More detailed knowledge about the physiological and psychological effects of Tai Chi exercise may lead to new approaches to promote health, treat chronic medical conditions, better inform clinical decisions and further explicate the mechanisms of successful mind-body medicine," Dr. Wang said.

The beneficial association between Tai Chi practice and psychological health was supported by 7 observational studies with relatively large sample sizes.

"Tai Chi appears to be associated with improvements in psychological well-being including reduced stress, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance, and increased self-esteem. Definitive conclusions were limited due to variation in designs, comparisons, heterogeneous outcomes and inadequate controls. High-quality, well-controlled, longer randomized trials are needed to better inform clinical decisions."

Iron Hand Liniment Testimonial

The Iron Hand Liniment and Tung Shueh tablets miraculously got me back on my road bike in a day!

I could feel the Iron Hand Liniment working as soon as I applied it the first time. I know I've been working my knee for the past two months, trying to get it to bend, trying to get on my road bike and go for a ride, with all my efforts ending with the same Range of Motion. But the first night after receiving the liniment i just felt like I could do it. My knee felt different, and sure enough, I jumped on my road bike and after a couple slow pedals to stretch and bend my knee, I did one full revolution without pain, then another and another! Before I knew it I was on my bike, road 6 miles!

I have to say that I think it was the Iron Hand Liniment and the Tung Shueh tablets. Prior to these products I was just in terrible pain when trying to bend the the knee to a certain degree.

I guess my beliefs have been reassured again, as I hold dearly a faith in natural cures and Chinese remedies.

Thanks again, I'll be ordering more liniment really soon. :-)

S.H.

Licorice in products

Q: I am borderline for high blood pressure. Some products contain warnings about using them if you have this condition. Why?

A: Some products contain licorice (glycyrrhiza) and one company that we know of has warnings on the label because of this. Long term use of large amounts (3-9gms per day) of licorice may cause high blood pressure. However, other companies choose not to do this since the amount of licorice in the product is extremely small and unlikely to cause any problems.

Sifu Lew Cloud Hands Seminar

Sifu Share K. Lew and his wife Juanita held a very successful two day Cloud Hands seminar in Redding, CA over the weekend. Sifu Lew is a prime example of how practice of Taoist Nei Gong (Qi Gong) can improve and maintain your health. Now in his 90's, Sifu Lew has been practicing over 70 years.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the seminar and we were all were inspired by him. Also, special thanks go to John and Janet Price, long-time students and friends of Sifu Lew for sponsoring him.

Iron Hand / Iron Palm Liniments

Q: It sounds like your iron hand[palm] liniment is the real deal. i'm a beginner boxer and would be using it to toughen my hands, and fingers for in the gym and on the street for self defense purposes if needed. i'm not into breaking concrete, but injury free one hit knockouts is appealing. which product do you recommend, dit da jow or iron hand liniment? also does it come in larger quantities? 16-30 oz btls.? your thoughts and advice is greatly appreciated. thank you, rick

A: They both work good. Both can be used for sports injuries and toughening the hands. Zheng gu shui is warming. Iron Hand is not. I suggest getting a bottle of each and trying one bottle at a time and comparing results.
You'll find the products at www.eastearthtrade.com

Dit Da Jow's

Q: I came upon your web site while I was looking for a good Dit Da Jow. The other web sites only confused me even more than I already was. Anyway after looking at your web site I now have a few additional questions that hopefully you can answer.

1). Can you recommend a product that can help me with tendinitis that I currently have in my right elbow? I have had it treated by an acupuncturist but it does flare up from time to time.
2). Can you recommend a product that can help me with arthritis that I currently have in my left shoulder? I have had it treated by an acupuncturist but it does flare up from time to time.
3). I am also looking for a good Dit Da Jow, can you point me in that direction as well?

I am a martial artist and items 1 and 2 seem to be getting in my way.


Thanks,
J.P.

A: Here's a link to a page where several of our Dit Da Jow's are located ("Dit Da Jow" is a generic term for "hit medicine"). I suggest trying the Zheng Gu Shui. It's cheap and works really good. Second choice: Iron Hand liniment.
You can also buy the bulk herbs and make up your own formula. We have them premeasured for you. Just soak in alsohol for few months and you'll have a great formula.

See:

http://eastearthtrade.com/sportsandmartialartproducts.aspx

You might also like to read Secrets of Iron Palm Training.

Cloud Hands Qi Gong Workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew

Cloud Hands Qi Gong Workshop taught by Master Share K. Lew will take place June 5 and June 6, 2010 in Redding, CA.
For more info email: 6mmrem@gmail.com
or search for earlier post on this blog.