Tai Chi And Qigong Can Help Hip Stiffness And Pain!
Tension, pain, and tightness in the hips can also affect your balance, low back, and can cause spinal issues. Unfortunately this is especially true as we age and many people develop osteoarthritis. Tai Chi is recommended by the American College of Rheumatology for osteoarthritis of the hip, hand, and knee. There is also evidence that Tai Chi can improve mobility in the ankles, hips and knees in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Qigong improves physical and functional ability, as well as balance. There are no side effects like there are with many medications and Tai Chi and Qigong are safe for people of all ages and most physical conditions!
What would cause limited hip mobility and stiffness? First of all, the capsule within the hip joint needs synovial fluid to help maintain space between bones and to prevent friction. Lack of synovial fluid causes friction, which leads to inflammation, arthritis, and pain. At times, a hip replacement may even become necessary.
Rotating the hip restores fresh synovial fluid in the hip joint capsule by acting as a pump. Repeatedly compressing the joints pumps synovial fluid into the capsule in order to nourish the cartilage. This results in the joint ends becoming slippery so that they can move more smoothly. Hip socket rotation happens when you practice Tai Chi and/or Qigong regularly and correctly. Because Tai Chi and Qigong rotate your hips and are low impact, your joints don’t get overly stressed. It is also believed that these movements may also restore hip joint integrity. Be absolutely sure to use body awareness whenever you shift your weight, rotate your hip, and/or negotiate the movements in a relaxed manner.
Body awareness
When our mind observes an object clearly in the present moment, this is called awareness. Awareness is probably the most fundamental and important ingredient underlying the learning and practicing of Tai Chi and/or Qigong. Without awareness, you will be unable to focus attention on the movements and flows of Qi long enough to truly benefit from your practice.
Hip socket rotation happens when you practice Tai Chi and/or Qigong regularly and correctly. Because Tai Chi and Qigong rotate your hips and are low impact, your joints don’t get overly stressed. It is also believed that these movements may also restore hip joint integrity. Be absolutely sure to use body awareness whenever you shift your weight, rotate your hip, and/or negotiate the movements in a relaxed manner. Tai Chi and Qigong Is Safe and Effective for the Hip Joint.
Abstract
There is little research related to the biomechanical effects of Tai Chi on the hip joint. This study was aimed to analyze the biomechanical characteristic of a typical Tai Chi movement, Brush Knee and Twist Step. A total of 12 experienced older men voluntarily participated in this study. Each participant was requested to perform standard Brush Knee and Twist Step and normal walking. The scaled-generic musculoskeletal model of each participant was developed. A finite element model of the hip joint and pelvis was established and validated. Data from each trail were input to the model for simulation, and the biomechanics were compared between Brush Knee and Twist Step and walking. Compared with walking, Tai Chi may have better improvement in the range of motion of the hip joint and the coordination of the neuromuscular system under safer condition. It is suitable for patients with hip osteoarthritis and the older adults with severe muscle loss, and clinical studies are required to confirm it further.
The Tunde-World have been approached by the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne seeking input from Tai Chi Instructors in relation to the conduct of research into Tai Chi for people with knee or hip osteoarthritis.
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