Can Chinese Martial Arts Help Stroke Survivors in Recovery? New Study Says Yes
Slow and steady does more than just win races, new research indicates. Stroke survivors can benefit from Tai Chi, a centuries-old Chinese martial art, according to a new study from the American Stroke Association. Tai Chi is marked by slow movement and deep breathing, similar to Yoga. The study found that patients who practiced Tai Chi while sitting down experienced equal or greater improvement in “hand and arm strength, shoulder range of motion, balance control, symptoms of depression and activities of daily living,” compared to those who did not. Lead author Jie Zhao underscored the affordability of implementing Tai Chi as a form of rehabilitation, saying “The program costs almost nothing to practice, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or travel time.” Read more.
