San Diego Psychologist

San Diego Psychologist: Tai Chi May Help With Fibromyalgia

An intriguing article discusses a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine that indicates the practice of Tai Chi may improve symptoms of Fibromyalgia (a global pain condition that may include significant symptoms of fatigue).

According to the article, 66 people with Fibromyalgia were divided into two groups.  One group did hour-long sessions of Tai Chi twice a week for 12 weeks while the other had twice-weekly wellness education classes followed by gentle stretching.

The Tai Chi group experienced “decreased pain and increased ability to do daily tasks without pain; less fatigue, depression and anxiety; and an overall better quality of life. Furthermore, they reported better sleep quality and improved physical conditioning.”

Although the article stated that the study had no definitive answer as to exactly how Tai Chi had generated these improvements, principle investigator Chenchen Wang, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Tufts Medical Center, Boston noted, “the physical component of Tai Chi can improve aerobic capacity, strength and muscle function.  But in my opinion, the most important part is mental. You see lots of patients improve their depression and become good friends with each other.”

These results are very promising and yet another indication of the value of non-pharmacological techniques and practices to help increase well-being and quality of life.

Article available at: http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=642242

Study abstract available at: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0912611

Dr.  Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

San Diego Psychologist: Obesity, Exercise, and Fibromyalgia Risk

A new study indicates that (1) obesity alone can increase the risk of having fibromyalgia and (2) also having a sedentary (inactive) lifestyle can make this risk even greater.  The study followed 15,990 women after 11 years who initially did not have fibromyagia or physical problems.

Concerning weight, the article stated, “Being overweight — with a BMI [Body Mass Index] of 25 or higher — was a strong independent risk factor, with the heavier women having a 60 percent to 70 percent higher risk of developing the condition compared to the healthy weight women.”

Regarding exercise, the article emphasized its importance.  According to the article, principle researcher Paul Mork, of Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway noted, “Women who reported exercising four times per week [or more] had a 29 percent lower risk of fibromyalgia compared with inactive women.  Those who exercised two to three times a week were about 11 percent less likely to get fibromyalgia.”

Article available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_98189.html

An abstract/summary from the original study is also available at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123268508/abstract

Dr. Schwartz

San Diego Psychologist

www.integrative-health.net

Pain Management: Controlling Your Life

Chronic pain involves continued pain symptoms typically lasting longer than 6 months in which either (1) the bodily damage appears to be completely healed, (2) the origin is unknown, or (3) the cause is not sufficient for the duration, intensity, and frequency of the pain.  Acute pain involves pain symptoms that, in general, last the duration of an event and a brief time afterward.

Pain Management: Controlling Your Life

Chronic pain involves continued pain symptoms typically lasting longer than 6 months in which either (1) the bodily damage appears to be completely healed, (2) the origin is unknown, or (3) the cause is not sufficient for the duration, intensity, and frequency of the pain.  Acute pain involves pain symptoms that, in general, last the duration of an event and a brief time afterward.

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