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Tai Chi Helps Fibromyalgia Patients
By Thomas Boldt, L.Ac.
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in August, Fibromyalgia
patients have a new hope: Tai Chi.
In the clinical study performed at Tufts University in Boston, MA, researchers randomly divided a group
of 66 patients into two even groups of 33. The control group received 60 minutes of stretching and wellness information, while
the other was taught Tai Chi. Researchers gave both groups a questionnaire that gathered information on physical pain, mental
strain and overall quality of life. Additionally, patients were assessed by physicians. After 12 weeks, the same questionnaire
was given, and they found the Tai Chi group experienced significantly better results over the control group. At 24 weeks,
they again gave the questionnaire and found that the positive results of the Tai Chi group had been maintained. Furthermore,
one third of that group stopped using their medications compared with one-sixth in the control group.
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder marked by pain throughout the body, fatigue, insomnia and depression.
Though it is not well understood, it is very real. It affects about 10 million people in the United States alone— most
of them women. Tai Chi is a multifaceted practice, incorporating physical movement with mindfulness in a social environment.
It is generally practiced as a form of Chi Gong—more for its healing and strengthening properties than its fighting
application.
As such, it makes up one of Chinese medicine’s five branches. When combined with the other four:
acupuncture, Chinese herbs, massage and nutrition, it can be very effective in healing many chronic conditions.
It is so frustrated that Margeret suffering Restless Legs for the last 3 years. She is 83yo and everywhere she went,
she got told that is old age problem, and doctors and medications did not do any thing for her.
She had tried Acupuncture,
and the acupuncturist was put a dozen needles on her legs but that done her no good. Come to see Min for the last resort,
Min showed a positive confidence that needling on her scalp on the Trembling/Dancing zone will help her legs under control.
In fact, Min didn't put a single needle on her leg, instead, on her head. After inserted 4 needles and joined them to an electrical
stimulator, her legs were all go quiet. She had a peaceful sleeping on the treatment table.
Twice a week treatment
for five weeks now, her result is remarkable. Margeret now only take a sleeping pill occasionally. Margeret feels every tretment
is better than last time. She can sleep most of the nights without medications now.
Muscle wasting after the virus attack
---Min Wu
Mr.B had see Min once and his health has had remarkable improvement. In the end last year (2006), B recommended his wife Jane
come to see Min who had suffered virus for months and her muscle is wasting away rapidly. Jane still cannot get over the cough
by March at the time she comes to Min. She has noticed her right arm was weakening for a few months. She visited many doctors
and neurologists, done many X-rays and brain scans, but found nothing wrong. She got diagnosed muscle wasting. But the doctors
cannot do any thing for her. When she comes to see Min, her arm cannot even hold a tea pod.
According her signs and symptoms, Min uses strong herbal formulas to strengthen her digestive system, advises her daily
diet, which will giving her the resource to grow muscle. In the same time, Min uses infrared and acupuncture to help her arm
in better circulation and movement.
After the first week treatment, she can lift her arm to shoulder level; second week, no more cough and phlegm, she can
rise her arm to ear level; in five weeks time, her arm can row around and energetic. She is amazed how much the treatments
have given her the better quality of life.
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