Tai chi tackles peripheral neuropathy

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Tai chi tackles peripheral neuropathy

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=21458

Peripheral neuropathy is a degenerative nerve disease with no cure

and few effective treatment options - until now. Li Li, professor of

kinesiology at LSU, is conducting a study into the benefits of tai

chi for elderly peripheral neuropathy patients. So far, those

practicing tai chi show far greater levels of improvement that those

pursuing more traditional methods of treatment.

Test results prove tai chi is more than just a mind game or a

placebo it really works. Li's group conducts periodic scientific and

medical testing to track each person's progress as they continue in

the program. Other, more traditional methods of treatment, including

walking and light machines, are also studied to compare the results

to those gained from tai chi, but so far it is still the undisputed

winner, producing improved flexibility, sensation and overall

health.

Most patients report a significant decrease in falls, increased

confidence walking and standing and are able to stop using walkers

or canes after consistent and extensive participation.

The study, backed by little to no funding, started out in the summer

of 2004 and was slated to last only a few months. But participants

felt such improvement that they refused to give it up. So, in the

fall of 2005, the study resumed with great anticipation and with

funding from LSU s Department of Kinesiology. What was once a simple

comparison between two forms of exercise walking and tai chi has now

developed into a full-fledged study, utilizing the expertise of

biomechanists, psychologists, physiologists and many others in order

to gain a better understanding of the actual impact this exercise

produces.

The program includes approximately 75 individuals, with breakaway

groups meeting up to three times a week for lessons. Yajun, a

tai chi master who moved to the United States only three years ago

knowing little to no English, leads the classes through their

routines, which take into consideration the group's general level of

mobility. As they become more comfortable and gain more mobility,

Yajun pushes them farther, constantly expanding their

boundaries. " People wouldn't come if it wasn t doing something, " Li

said. " I mean, some of these people travel 50 to 100 miles round

trip just to make it to our classes. For many of them, if they

couldn t come to our sessions, which are offered free of charge,

they couldn't afford to go anywhere else. "

There are more than 150 people in the Baton Rouge area waiting join

Li's study. But with only LSU's Department of Kinesiology sponsoring

the program, it cannot support any additional participants. Parking

and facility space are already posing a problem. Li hopes to receive

funding in the near future that will allow him to expand the program

so that it can help others fight back against the pain of peripheral

neuropathy.

" I have really been helped by the program. My legs felt like they

had bands around them and my feet would burn almost constantly.

Since I've been here [approximately nine months], I've had only two

episodes of severe burning and the bands, where as it was on a daily

basis before, " said n King, who, prior to joining the program

was forced to stop working due to increasing difficulty with walking

and standing.

" We're seeing great results, and we're very excited, " Li said. " Some

people started the program unable to stand, even with assistance,

for more than five minutes. Today, these same people have no trouble

standing independently. "

" I was falling down in the house a lot. Sometimes I would fall down

just by tripping. It's [tai chi] been a real improvement, " said

Liebert, who only recently joined the program. " I fall down far

less, and that's the big issue with me. It's not going to cure the

disease, but it was never intended to be a cure. It has definitely

helped my lifestyle. It's been a real improvement. "

http://www.lsu.edu