TAI CHI

Reported to Ease Fibromyalgia

A recently published study in The New England Journal of Medicine states that Tai Chi may be an effective therapy for fibromyalgia.

The clinical trial conducted at the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston found that after 12 week of Tai Chi, patients with fibromyalgia did significantly better with pain, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression, than the control group who were given stretching exercises and wellness education.

“We thought it was notable that the New England Journal accepted this paper, that they would take fibromyalgia on as an issue, and also because Tai Chi is an alternative therapy that some people raise eyebrows about,” said Dr. Robert Shmerling, clinical chief of rheumatology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, co-author of an editorial about the study.

“Fibromyalgia is so common, and we have such a difficult time treating it effectively. It’s defined by what the patient tells you,” he added. “It’s hard for some patients’ families and their doctors to get their head around what it is and whether it’s real. So, that these results were so positive for something that’s very safe is an impressive accomplishment.”