Text: Dr. Xu
Edited by Chi You
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"The results of your medical examination are so good, I can't believe it!"
In the pharmacy, Uncle Zhang was a little at a loss when he heard such praise.
Next to her, Aunt Liu, a neighbor, came over curiously, "Uncle Zhang, what kind of panacea have you taken?" Why are the doctors surprised?"
Uncle Zhang smiled and replied slowly: "Auntie, in fact, I have been practicing Tai Chi for an hour every morning for the past six months, and I haven't fallen for a day. ”
Aunt Liu opened her mouth wide in surprise: "Oh, it's really fake? Tai Chi can also have such a good effect?"
The protagonist of the story, Uncle Zhang, is 64 years old this year and was an auto mechanic before he retired.
Although his profession seems to have nothing to do with health, Uncle Zhang's daily work often requires him to maintain the same posture for a long time, which makes his back ache and his physical functions gradually decline.
After retiring, Uncle Zhang felt that his physical condition was becoming more and more unsatisfactory and decided to make a change.
I did Tai Chi for an hour every morning, and I didn't give up for half a year
He started practicing Tai Chi with the simple intention of relieving his body's pain and rejuvenating himself.
Unexpectedly, after persisting for half a year, not only is my back no longer sore, but my whole mental state and physique have made a qualitative leap.
The results of the recent medical examination were unexpectedly good, and even the doctors expressed their shock.
Uncle Zhang's story is not only about the magic of Tai Chi, but also about the inspirational story of how an ordinary elderly person can improve his quality of life through continuous efforts.
Taijiquan, a martial art originating from ancient China, is known as the "inner boxing" and focuses on the harmony and unity of inner breath and external movements.
Its movements are slow and gentle, especially suitable for middle-aged and elderly people to carry out daily exercise.
The positive effects of Tai Chi on the elderly
From a medical point of view, the positive effects of Tai Chi on the elderly are multifaceted.
First of all, it can effectively enhance the strength of the lower limbs, improve the body's balance, and reduce the risk of falls.
According to a study involving hundreds of people over the age of 60, those who practiced Tai Chi regularly experienced a 25 percent improvement in balance and a 43 percent reduction in the number of falls compared to the control group after six months.
Secondly, the practice of tai chi helps to relieve stress and improve the state of mind.
This slow and rhythmic movement can greatly reduce the patient's anxiety and depression levels.
Studies have shown that practicing Tai Chi can slow down a person's heart rate, lower blood pressure, and contribute to the maintenance of cardiovascular health.
In addition, Tai Chi also has a significant adjuvant treatment effect for senile diseases such as arthritis and hypertension.
Through continuous practice, it can not only enhance the flexibility of the joints, but also improve blood circulation, which has a positive effect on controlling blood pressure and relieving joint pain.
And Uncle Zhang's example is the best proof of the above-mentioned medical research.
Through one hour of Tai Chi practice every day, he not only improved his physical condition, but more importantly, gave him more confidence and joy in life.
He even began to organize other retirees in the community to practice Tai Chi together, forming a vibrant community.
The doctors were very surprised by the change in Uncle Zhang.
By studying Uncle Zhang's case, they further affirmed the importance of Tai Chi to the health of the elderly.
When the doctor communicated with Uncle Zhang, he mentioned an interesting phenomenon: although the movements of Tai Chi seem simple, in fact, there are profound Chinese medicine theories and biomechanical principles behind each movement.
This makes Tai Chi not only a physical exercise, but also a spiritual cultivation.
At the end of the story, we have to ask a question:
If Tai Chi can be so effective in helping the elderly improve their physical and psychological state, why doesn't modern medicine use it as a routine means of rehabilitation when dealing with geriatric diseases?
The answer to this question requires us to analyze it in depth.
First of all, although Tai Chi has been widely recognized in some countries and regions and incorporated into the health activities of the elderly, in many places, especially in Western countries, people's awareness of Tai Chi is still relatively shallow.
Second, modern medicine tends to use direct treatments such as drugs and surgery to quickly address health problems, rather than long-term lifestyle modifications.
Finally, to promote Tai Chi, there needs to be sufficient funds and resources to train qualified instructors to ensure the correctness and effectiveness of the practice.
In the future, with more in-depth research and understanding of Tai Chi and other traditional Chinese medicine, we have reason to believe that Tai Chi will be more accepted and applied globally and become an important part of the health management of the elderly.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!