A new study, "Tai Chi for Disease Activity in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis - A Controlled, Clinical Trial", showed that performing 60 minutes of tai chi twice a week for 8 weeks, as well as an additional 8 weeks of at-home practice of tai chi, that people with AS showed significant improvements in disease activity and flexibility.

As is well documented, exercise (including stretching exercises) as well as proper posture are cornerstones of an AS treatment regimen. And although tai chi has been shown previously in studies to help improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, a study was never done in regards to AS, specifically.

In the study, tai chi is described as "a combination of physical exercise and relaxation techniques rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy and is used to enhance its practitioners' mental and physical health." Here is additional information on tai chi from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_chi

First published online in late August, 2007, by eCAM / Oxford Journals, the study states that the findings, "suggest that tai chi can improve disease activity and flexibility for patients with AS. Tai chi is an easily accessible therapy for patients and, as such, may be an effective intervention for AS. However, we cannot completely discount the possibility that the placebo effect was responsible for the improvement."

The study used tai chi movements developed by Dr. Paul Lam, et al., based on a tai chi program created for helping to treat rheumatoid arthritis. More about his program can be found here: http://www.taichiforarthritis.com/

Before starting any new treatment, however, we recommend consulting your physician.

References: eCAM, doi:10.1093/ecam/nem048 http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/nem048v2

STAY INFORMED! Stay up-to-date on all the latest news and information regarding AS and related diseases with our news magazine, Spondylitis Plus. Your subscription comes free with SAA membership, so click here to join today!