Fibromyalgia Sufferers May Get Relief From Tai Chi, Yoga - Sure Start News

Two new studies suggest that gentle stretching and meditation exercises, such as some forms of yoga and Tai Chi, may help those that suffer from Fibromyalgia.

58 women were enrolled in the yoga study. 25 of those participated in a two hour yoga class once a week, for eight weeks. The class was designed specifically for women with Fibromyalgia, and included gentle stretches, poses, instructions on coping with fibromyalgia, and group discussions. The remaining 28 women were told they were on a waiting list, and served as a control group.

Participants in the class were “somewhat apprehensive”, according to lead study author James Carson, a clinical psychologist and pain specialist at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, “but once they got into the rhythm of it they found it to be very helpful.”

At the end of the study, 4.5% of the participants said they felt “very much better”. 77% said they were “a little better”, 4.5% reported no change. In the control group, none reported “very much better”, 19.2% reported “a little better”, and 38.5% reported no change.

The study was published in the Oct 14th issue of the journal “Pain”.

In August, a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine  found that the slow and meditative practice of Tai Chi can be helpful to women with Fibromyalgia. Tai Chi is an ancient art form, rooted in the practice of martial arts such as Kung Fu, but done slowly and with a focus on the health benefits rather than fighting.

Participants took two Tai Chi classes each week, and received a DVD to practice with 20 minutes each day. Compared to a control group, which participated in a stretching and education class, the Tai Chi students demonstrated more weekly improvement using the  Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, according to the studies authors. One-third of the Tai Chi students stopped using medications during the course of the study, compared with one-sixth in the stretching/education group.

Researchers noted that both studies were small, and that more research was needed with larger numbers of participants and different instructors, to see if successful ratios held up.

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Yes, you can get into that yoga position - Belleville News Democrat

WHAT: Yoga originated in India and is used to attain optimal health. There are several branches of yoga with a main goal of creating a balance in body and mind. Postures have specific physical benefits and can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement, or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect alignment. Poses are a constant, but the approach to them varies depending on the tradition in which the teacher trained.

BENEFITS: Yoga will help build strength and stamina, improve balance and increase flexibility. It can reduce aches and pains, help lower blood pressure and improve the ability to find peace and relaxation. "Yoga enhances our life because of techniques that make the body strong, the mind clear and sharp, and the emotions steady and calm," instructor Jan Rule said.

GET STARTED: Many local YMCAs and gyms offer yoga classes. Stillpointe Wellness Center, 2135 Dorothy Drive off of Townhall Road in Belleville, has classes at 8:30 a.m. Mondays, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, and 8:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For changes and more classes, check their online calendar at www.stillpointe.org. Lotus Arts Studio, 6966 W. Main St. in Belleville, also offers classes daily. Check their schedule at www.lotus-arts.net. Information on local YMCA classes is available at www.ymcaswil.org.

COST: Classes are free to members of most local gyms and YMCA's. Stillpointe Wellness Center charges a $10 drop-in fee or $80 for 10 sessions. Lotus Arts Studio holds six-week sessions and charges $60 for one class per week, $105 for two classes a week and drop-in options for some classes at $12 per class. Yoga instructors recommend you bring your own mat, towel and water, but some locations have mats available for new students. Mats start at about $20.

FITS YOU WELL is a weekly look at the range of fitness activities available to you in the metro-east. To suggest an activity, call us at 239-2470. See past installments and the fitness calendar at bnd.com/fitsyouwell.

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