Fibromyalgia & TCM

Fibromyalgia has become a common diagnosis in recent years to explain symptoms of fatigue, all over body pain, difficulty in concentrating and retaining new information, sleep disturbances, exercise difficulties, digestive disturbances and headaches. There are many other symptoms that are common among those with FM.

Traditional Chinese medicine views fibromyalgia as a blockage of qi and blood in the channels that circulate through the body. Blockages can occur due to stress or emotional changes affecting the liver system which has the responsibility of regulating the smooth flow of qi in the body. Therefore if the Liver system is out of balance qi and blood will not flow smoothly causing blockages. Also if there is insufficient qi or blood flowing through the meridians there won't be enough nourishment to muscles, organs, bones and brain.  Deficiency in qi and blood can result from being overworked mentally and physically, poor digestion or improper eating and sleeping habits.

Acupuncture has been shown to improve fatigue and anxiety associated with fibromyalgia.  Pain may also be reduced through acupuncture although greater improvement is associated with more frequent sessions 3/week compared to 1/week.  Cupping may also be beneficial as it stimulates the flow of qi and blood targeting specific muscle groups.

A recent study on Tai Chi reported improved sleep, mood and quality of life for those with fibromyalgia.

Tai Ji Chuan - Interview with Michael Blackburn

How would you describe Taiji?

Taijiquan ("tai chi," see Note below) is a Chinese internal martial art that is practiced for health and self-defense. The taijiquan solo form is a graceful sequence of smooth and continuous movements which is often described as meditation in motion. Taijiquan study also includes standing meditation, qigong, push hands (which describes a wide range of training done with a partner), and weapons study.

What style to do you teach?

I practice the traditional Yang and Chen styles. Most of my teaching is in the Yang style.

What interested you about Taiji initially?

I was originally drawn to taijiquan as a teenager through an interest in Eastern philosophy and culture, including daoism. I enjoy physical activity but have never been drawn to team sports, so the more introspective and non-competitive nature of taijiquan resonated for me.



How long have you been teaching for?

I have been practicing taijiquan for 22 years, and have been teaching for about half that time.

What are the benefits of a regular practice?

Before taijiquan's introduction to Western students, its health benefits were largely explained through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, which is based on a view of the body and healing mechanisms not always studied or supported by modern science. Today, taijiquan is in the process of being subjected to rigorous scientific studies in the West. Researchers have found that intensive taijiquan practice shows favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility, cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls, and has shown to help students who are recovering from chronic stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's. Taijiquan's gentle, low impact movements burn more calories than surfing and nearly as many as downhill
skiing. There have also been indications that taijiquan might have an effect on noradrenaline and cortisol production, with a positive effect on mood and heart rate.



How frequently do people need to practice?

As with any activity, benefits increase with more regular practice. I strongly encourage my students to make a commitment to practice on a regular basis, at least a few times every week, and those that do so learn more quickly, take more satisfaction from lessons and enjoy much greater health benefits. Even doing a little taijiquan offers substantial benefits, and the more one practices the more they will enjoy it!



Are there any contraindications?

One of the special things about taijiquan is that it can easily be modified by a qualified teacher to suit students with various health challenges. Although there are high-level taijiquan practices which are contraindicated for certain conditions, a beginner student would not be exposed to such training until the teacher was confident it was safe for that individual.

Do you have any upcoming classes/workshops?

Regular classes are held Tuesday evenings at the Dunbar Community Centre (7- 9 pm) and Sunday mornings at the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House (9 - 11 am). A special tui shou ("push hands") intensive class will also be offered this summer on Tuesday evenings at the Dunbar Community Centre.

VIEW MICHAEL IN ACTION ON YouTube

NOTE: There are many ways to write Chinese characters in roman script. A popular, older style is called Wade Giles. in Wade Giles, the capital of China is written "Peiking," internal energy is "c'hi," and the art I practice is "t'ai chi ch'uan." The international standard format for writing Chinese characters in roman script is called pinyin, and today most Chinese terms are written using this format. In pinyin, the capital city of China is "Beijing," internal energy is "qi," and the art I practice is "taijiquan." In other words, "taijiquan," "Tai chi," and "t'ai chi ch'uan" are all the exact same thing.

Tai Chi & Qi Gong

Tai Chi and Qi Gong exercises balance the body and mind. Both work at regulating the body's Qi which according to traditional Chinese medicine is cornerstone to health. Therefore if Qi is stagnant, weak or excessive disease will ensue.

Studies have shown Tai chi and qigong provide many health benefits through balancing the body and mind. One study showed that falls were reduced in older adults along with a reduction in the fear of falling, improved balance and physical performance. Other trials have shown Tai Chi may benefit those with knee osteoarthritis through improved function, reduced pain and stiffness.

Qigong helps manage stress as one trial showed blood levels of the stress related hormone cortisol is lowered by short term practice, whereas Tai Chi has shown to help with hypertension by reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure along with serum cholesterol levels and anxiety. A recent study also showed that Tai Chi may help patients with heart failure sleep better.

With so many potential benefits why not check out a class. Next post will feature local instructor Michael Blackburn. Please check back for his interview and demo.

Instant Gratification & The Un-Sustainable Lifestyle

A recent article in the New York Times Dysregulation Nation highlights the obstacles we all face on a daily basis with regards to overconsumption, over stimulation and general excess. As a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) I am always striving for balance in my personal and professional life as well as encouraging the same in my clients.

The two areas where I find the most the resistance are treatment time and lifestyle changes. One of the first questions people will ask is how long until I feel better? In our age of fast acting medicine, where you can take a pill and in half an hour feel relief it can be frustrating to learn that although Chinese medicine is effective for many common conditions it may take several weeks to several months of consistent acupuncture and/or herbal treatment before lasting and significant results are seen. TCM therapies take longer because the primary aim is to balance the body, not trick it into thinking it is healthy.

The pill popping instant relief way of treating illness has become unsustainable for many people as they no longer respond to or become dependent on medication. TCM takes a wholistic viewpoint by assessing current symptoms, constitution, diet and lifestyle.

Diet and lifestyle are key components to health and as people start to embrace more sustainable living by eating local seasonal food, riding bikes or walking for transportation they are already incorporating TCM into their lives. Chinese medicine has strong roots in disease prevention through exercise, diet and regulating emotional stress. Somehow this way of living has been lost and is now being rediscovered with exercise being touted as "new medicine" according to the American Surgeon General.

Over the next several weeks I will be profiling activities such as tai chi, yoga and meditation with the hope of inspiring people to take steps to a healthier lifestyle. For each activity I will be interviewing a local instructor on how people can incorporate these activities into their lives and what benefits may be experienced. A video demo of the activity and links to relative research will be included. Check back next week for the first instalment - Tai Ji