Welcome to tai chi to help osteoporosis, I am going talk briefly about osteoporosis and then how tai chi can help osteoporosis. Then I will teach you a few tai chi movements from my Tai Chi for Osteoporosis program.

Osteoporosis is a silent condition in the sense that most people have no symptoms, no pain and no discomfort. Often people find out that they have osteoporosis when they have a minor fall and end up with a fracture. One of my patients has it so bad, she reached out to grasp something and fractured one of her ribs! Breaking a bone is painful and could change your lifestyle forever.

Osteoporosis is the thinning of the bones. The bones are living tissues, many things can cause it. For example, menopause, lack of exercise, bad diet and some medication can make the bones thinner.

The good news is your doctor can find out exactly how strong your bones are by measuring the bone mineral density. This test will tell you whether you are getting osteoporosis. Doctors can help prevent or treat the condition with good diet, suitable exercise and if necessary, medication.

Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50. It is important to see your doctor before you end up with a fracture.

A medical study conducted by Professor Rhayun Song and her colleagues from the Daejeon National University involved two groups of older women with arthritis, one group practice tai chi for six months and other group did a selfhelp educational program. The researchers tested and compared two groups before and after six months. They found the tai chi group had significantly higher levels of Bone Mineral Density, stronger muscles around the knee and less fear of falling.

These findings are wonderful news for people with osteoporosis. Higher levels of Bone Mineral Density mean less osteoporosis.

Falling is the major problem for people with osteoporosis. Beside fractures, a fall can damage any part of the body. Stronger muscles protect the joint and prevent falls.

Less fear of falling is important because studies have shown the fear of falling leads to more falls.

Many robust studies have shown tai chi to reduce the falls of older adults significantly by around 65%.
What is more, as a bonus, tai chi comes with many other health benefits.

There are over 500 medical studies showing that tai chi improves immunity, balance, reduces falls, relieves arthritis pain, relieve stress, improve heart conditions and diabetes, reduce high blood pressure… almost all aspects of health.
Improve immunity is especially important for time of the pandemic with Covid virus. Immunological system also prevents and fight against cancer.

Tai chi is an art and an exercise originating from ancient China. From the outside, its movements look gently, graceful and seem effortless. The flowing movements are like water in a river, beneath the tranquil surface there is a current with immense power the power for healing and inner strength.

Suitable exercise can help people with osteoporosis, to build muscular strength, improve cardiovascular fitness and lung capacity, your health professional can advise you what is suitable.

Tai Chi is one of the most suitable and enjoyable exercises. There are many different forms of tai chi with significant differences. That is why I have worked with Osteoporosis Australia and a team of medical and tai chi experts to create the Tai Chi for Osteoporosis program. It is designed to be safe, easy to learn and effective.

The program exercises the entire body including the mind, the organs and the bones, and all muscles and ligaments.

Tai chi is a mindful exercise that brings tranquillity and relieves stress. It is created based on Chinese Traditional medicine and the law of nature in a holistic way to achieve better health and harmony within the person.

These might sound complicated; the good thing about a designed program is that all you have to do is follow the movements and you will be exercising the mind and the body naturally. It will be an enjoyable activity once you got used to the rhythm and feel of it.

I am going to teach you a few moments from the Tai Chi for Osteoporosis program. Please find a clear space, wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes, join me to find out how easy and enjoyable tai chi can be.

Standard exercise warning about taken own risk, approved by your health professionals.

Please work well within your comfort zone. Take you time don’t rush it.