PT Plus continues to celebrate OT Month by focusing on Tai Chi for its ongoing collaboration with Self-Help in providing wellness classes for participating patients.
This year’s theme is Occupational Therapy Brings Possibilities to Life.
Did you know that Tai chi includes all elements of importance, such as concentration on breathing, deliberate movements, and meditation?
Concentrating on each movement helps the mind to relax and relieves stress. Deep breathing and learning to focus helps improve balance, which can help prevent falls and injuries.
A study from Emory University School of Medicine showed that Tai Chi classes helped reduce falls by almost 50%.
Tai chi is also gentle on the joints and won’t increase pain or cause the person to be short of breath.
Tai chi has also been shown to reduce cognitive decline in individuals with mild impairment associated with Type 2 diabetes – especially when compared to brisk walking.