Tai Chi reduces pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia

Tai chi helps improve some aspects of fibromyalgia, a research team reports in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.

A total of 18 women with fibromyalgia took part in a 12-week Tai chi programme. Measures were made of their heart rate variability, symptomatology, muscle fitness and body composition before and after 12 weeks, which were compared to 19 other women who did not have access to the Tai chi programme.

Sympathovagal balance, sympathetic tone, pain and fatigue decreased after 12 weeks of Tai chi. Parasympathetic tone, strength and flexibility increased after Tai chi. Those in the control group experienced no changes.

“Tai chi may be an effective therapeutic intervention for improving sympathovagal balance, pain, fatigue, strength and flexibility in women with fibromyalgia,” the research group concludes.

Click here to read the original research.

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