When Is a Headache Serious?
Most people get a headache occasionally, but ongoing problems with head pain — or debilitating head pain — can benefit from medical intervention. Here’s when you should consider seeking help for your headache.
Tai Chi can help relieve chronic neck pain, study shows
Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body exercise, can be as effective as neck exercises in relieving persistent neck pain, according to results of randomized controlled trial.
Tai Chi, a low-impact mind-body exercise, can be as effective as neck exercises in relieving persistent neck pain, according to results of randomized controlled trial reported in The Journal of Pain, the peer-reviewed publication of the American Pain Society.
An international team of researchers investigated the efficacy of group Tai Chi compared with group neck exercises and no treatment to improve neck pain, disability and quality of life in groups of people with nonspecific chronic neck pain. They hypothesized that 12 weeks of Tai Chi would prove superior to no treatment for chronic neck pain. The study also explored whether Tai Chi was more and less effective than conventional neck exercises.
One hundred fourteen subjects were enrolled in the trial. Eligibility requirements were age18 years or older and having chronic neck pain for three consecutives months.
“The study results showed that 12 weeks of Tai Chi was more effective than no treatment to improve pain, disability, quality of life and postural control in persons with chronic neck pain,” said Peter M. Wayne, Ph.D., a co-author, founder of the Tree of Life Tai Chi Center and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He added that Tai Chi was neither superior nor inferior to 12 weeks of neck exercises.
Tai Chi originated in China and involves integrated dynamic musculoskeletal breathing and meditation training. It often is used for health care purposes and evidence supports its potential to help people with back pain, rheumatologic disease and psychological disorders. No studies had been performed previously to determine Tai Chi’s benefits in relieving chronic neck pain.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Consider These Many Interventions for Arthritis
Maybe you’re struggling with joint pain that’s preventing you from enjoying life to the fullest. The good news is that there are several effective treatment options for arthritis. We briefly review them here.
6 Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
When it comes to identifying fibromyalgia, there's no single test. That means symptomology plays an essential diagnostic role. While fibromyalgia can affect people differently, here are some of the most common signs.
Pain-Relieving Benefits of Massage
There’s little question that a good massage can do wonders for making you feel better, but can it play a role in managing your pain? The answer is a resounding yes. Read on to learn more about how massage can manage your pain.
Can Acupuncture Help Chronic Pain?
You’re tired of dealing with pain, but the potential risks that come with surgery or medications seem high. Why not explore a technique that has been helping people overcome pain for millennia — acupuncture.
4 Common Types of Arthritis
New estimates place the numbers of Americans who are affected by arthritis at more than 92 million. Included in this incredibly high statistic are different types of arthritis. We outline them here.