Tai Chi Reported to Ease Fibromyalgia?

[Puppycow]

Uh-oh. Looks like ancient Chinese wisdom^tm is back in the news thanks to a new study published in the NEJM.

Tai Chi Reported to Ease Fibromyalgia

The ancient Chinese practice of tai chi may be effective as a therapy for fibromyalgia, according to a study published on Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

I don't know anything about fibromyalgia, but this description in the article seems very odd:

Since its symptoms can be wide-ranging and can mimic other disorders, and its diagnosis depends largely on patients’ descriptions, not blood tests or biopsies, its cause and treatment have been the subject of debate.
. . .
“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.”

Is that a red flag? No objective way to test for this disease?

 

[thaiboxerken]

It could be a real ailment or not. However, I would guess that any, regular low-impact physical activity would have the same effect at Tai Chi.

 

[thaiboxerken]

It also appears that this type of "ailment" is very much prone to placebo effect, as it seems to be a psychosimatic illness.

 

[Puppycow]

It could be a real ailment or not. However, I would guess that any, regular low-impact physical activity would have the same effect at Tai Chi.

But the control group did "stretching exercises and wellness education."

It is a small study though.

 

[thaiboxerken]

But the control group did "stretching exercises and wellness education."

It is a small study though.

Right, but did they do "fake" Tai Chi?

 

[Emet]

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, but there are probably a number of factors involved. Many people associate the development of fibromyalgia with a physically or emotionally stressful or traumatic event, such as an automobile accident. Some connect it to repetitive injuries. Others link it to an illness. For others, fibromyalgia seems to occur spontaneously.

Many researchers are examining other causes, including problems with how the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) processes pain.

Some scientists speculate that a person’s genes may regulate the way his or her body processes painful stimuli. According to this theory, people with fibromyalgia may have a gene or genes that cause them to react strongly to stimuli that most people would not perceive as painful. There have already been several genes identified that occur more commonly in fibromyalgia patients, and NIAMS-supported researchers are currently looking at other possibilities.

What Are Researchers Learning About Fibromyalgia?

Understanding pain. Research suggests that fibromyalgia is caused by a problem in how the body processes pain, or more precisely, a hypersensitivity to stimuli that normally are not painful. Therefore, several NIH-supported researchers are focusing on ways the body processes pain to better understand why people with fibromyalgia have increased pain sensitivity.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/default.asp

 

[TubbaBlubba]

It's basically a diagnosis people get when they have pain or hypersensitivity in their body and no cause is found. It's becoming increasingly common, occurs mostly in women and is strongly correlated with stress and depression.

 

[MG1962]

It's basically a diagnosis people get when they have pain or hypersensitivity in their body and no cause is found. It's becoming increasingly common, occurs mostly in women and is strongly correlated with stress and depression.

If stress is a possible cause then Tai Chi may have some practical value that simple stretching exercises dont. Both my parents have done Tai Chi for some twenty years. The describe the exercises and movements being so complex you end up in an almost trance or medative state trying to focus and control your body

 

[thaiboxerken]

If stress is a possible cause then Tai Chi may have some practical value that simple stretching exercises dont. Both my parents have done Tai Chi for some twenty years. The describe the exercises and movements being so complex you end up in an almost trance or medative state trying to focus and control your body

So does many other sport activities. I suspect that there is placebo effect happening here, since they did not use fake Tai Chi as a "therapy."