Newsletter #94 - June 2009

In this issue:

-- From me to you, Dr Paul Lam
-- Tai Chi as part of the ACC Fall Prevention Program, Ann Rose
-- How I treated Don Sinclair, Gabriele Friedrich
-- The Latest Fall Prevention Review, Dr Paul Lam
-- Humour, laughter and radiant health, Bob McBrien

Click on the title above to read the articles, this link to read all previous newsletters and here to subscribe.

Hello Everyone,

Dr Paul Lam conducting a Tai Chi for Arthritis Workshop in Perth May 2009

This month's theme is "Fall Prevention". Last month we talked about Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) being effective in preventing falls. Several studies including the world’s largest fall prevention study in a community has shown that TCA is effective for fall prevention. In an extensive review of 111 studies involving 55,303 participants about preventing falls, tai chi was found to be one of the most effective for preventing falls. Falling for the elderly is a major issue for health departments in many countries. Treating and preventing falls is the single most expensive item costing over $20 billion in USA and in Australia more than $500 million in NSW alone.

A few weeks ago, I was dismayed to hear an elderly patient was told by a physiotherapist after an injury that in order to prevent falls she should take up swimming and stop tai chi. Although swimming is an excellent exercise, scientific studies show swimming does not significantly reduce the rate of falls, whereas tai chi is one of the few exercises which does as shown in the review. It is not only very important for health professionals to know the benefit of tai chi, it is also important for you to know in order to advise your students, friends and relatives.

This month we feature ACC, a visionary New Zealand government body, which has a no fault policy of compensating all injuries to its citizens and visitors. Since 2005, ACC has been sponsoring tai chi classes across the nation as a means to prevent falls. The ACC study has shown the money spent on tai chi classes has actually saved them money in the long run. Consider suggesting to your local community to follow this evidence based approach. Very appropriately, Ann Rose, the ACC fall prevention manager, has written an article on this topic. Ann has included a story about Don, and Don’s physiotherapist has also sent us her report.

We will have a break from Health next month and the theme will be "Tai Chi – Different Styles". I look forward to seeing some of you soon in Memphis for a week of enrichment and friendship.

In this newsletter

Ann Rose, ACC’s program manager for Fall Prevention, writes about the success of TCA in their pursuit to prevent falls.
Gabrielle Friedrich, a physiotherapist, demonstrates how she was able to bring Don’s mobility and strength back after a serious accident with the help of TCA.
I share with you my excitement about the findings in the latest fall prevention review. This can be a major breakthrough to help reduce health costs and improve the quality of life of many.

This Month’s Special:

Tai Chi for Osteoporosis and Fall Prevention – Instructional DVD
Qigong for Health – Instructional DVD

Buy the Tai Chi for Osteoporosis DVD and receive 50% discount on the Qigong for Health DVD, Save USD $12.50 or AUD $15.00

Limit of one order per person. Click here for more information or to place your order.

Upcoming Workshops by Dr Lam:

June 13 - June 14, 2009. Memphis, TN, United States
Tai Chi for Beginners Instructor Training

June 15 - June 20, 2009. Memphis, TN, United States
One Week Tai Chi Workshop

July 11 - July 12, 2009. Hobart, TAS, Australia
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

August 1 - August 2, 2009. Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructor Training

August 1 - August 2, 2009. Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Instructor Training

August 22 - August 23, 2009. Sydney, Australia
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

September 3 - September 4, 2009. Sydney, NSW, Australia
Therapeutic Tai Chi Instructor Training

September 19 - September 20, 2009. Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Tai Chi for Diabetes Instructor Training

October 1 - October 2, 2009. Manchester, United Kingdom
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

October 3 - October 4, 2009. Manchester, United Kingdom
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis Instructor Training

October 17 - October 18, 2009. Zurich, Switzerland
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

October 24 - October 25, 2009. Kingsland, GA, United States
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis and Fall Prevention Instructor Training

October 31 - November 1, 2009. Teller County, CO, United States
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

November 7 - November 8, 2009. Sisters, OR, United States
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

November 14 - November 15, 2009. Pleasant Hill, CA, United States
Exploring the Depth of Tai Chi for Arthritis

Many other workshops conducted by my authorised master trainers are listed in the Workshop Calendar.

Yours in Tai Chi,

Paul Lam, M.D.

http://www.taichiproductions.com

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Tai Chi as part of the ACC Fall Prevention Program
Ann Rose, Program Manager, ACC, Wellington, New Zealand

Dr Paul Lam’s Modified Tai Chi was adopted by New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in 2005 as part of the fall prevention program. It was first introduced in 1998 as a pilot and has since spread throughout New Zealand.

Since its adoption in 2005, many people have benefited from completing the twice a week, 20 week program. One person who has seen these benefits is Donald Sinclair, whose world was turned upside down when his car crashed over a bank, and he sustained multiple head and limb injuries.

Before the accident Donald was an airline pilot, regularly flying night freighters all over New Zealand. But his flying career came to a sudden halt that cold, wet winter’s night in 2004.

“I went off the road, down a little gully and wasn’t found for 16 hours,” says Donald. Luckily three of his colleagues discovered him after seeing bark stripped from a tree and called the emergency services immediately.

“Once I was found, it took the emergency services an hour and a half to cut me out,” said Donald. But by then it wasn’t just his injuries they had to worry about, life-threatening hypothermia had set in and he was rushed to Middlemore Hospital by helicopter.

Donald was in intensive care for three weeks, and spent a further seven weeks in the Otara Spinal Unit, learning to walk again.

“I knew I was badly injured, but never thought I wouldn’t get better,” he continued.

Donald’s physiotherapist, for whom he has very high regard, recently introduced him to Modified Tai Chi to help treat the lack of function in his lower limbs.

“I’m getting the feeling back in my lower limbs after only a few months.” says Donald. “Tai Chi is great as it helps your brain, coordination and balance. When I first started, my friends and family thought I would topple over but now I can feel my feet, I’m building up my leg muscles and learning to walk properly again.”

Along with the physical benefits of Tai Chi, Donald also says it teaches you to look at life with focus and a steady outlook.

“I try to realise feasible gains and not expect unrealistic outcomes. Through all of this, I have learned that if you’re prepared to help yourself, then there are wonderful people out there willing to help you.”

Donald has come a long way since his accident; he no longer requires walking sticks, is back driving again and also plans to once again pilot a plane solo.

In the meantime, he tries to practice his Tai Chi routine daily and recommends the discipline to others. “I believe anyone can do it, regardless of what their background is.”

Donald’s story is one of many that ACC receive which illustrate the benefits gained from the ACC funded 20 week course and because of its success, many people choose to continue practicing Tai Chi after the course is complete.

ACC works with Toi Walker, Master Tai Chi trainer, who completed his training under Dr Paul Lam. Toi now trains instructors throughout New Zealand and quality assurance checks are performed every two years to maintain the quality of the program.

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How I treated Don Sinclair
Gabriele Friedrich, physiotherapist, Wellington, New Zealand

As a physiotherapist I have been treating Mr Donald (Don) Sinclair since his car accident four years ago. We moved from the conventional Physiotherapy to Acupuncture and then Don started to learn the TCA form. First sessions were one to one in my private clinic and then after a few months Don attended my ACC funded TCA classes in Paeroa town. In the beginning I held my breath that Don is not falling over, but he practiced and practiced and his determination was remarkable.

Don soon realized the benefits of Tai Chi on all levels, not only physical for his paralysed feet, but the mental and spiritual aspects. Don has not left out one day practicing. He enjoys practicing Tai Chi for about 40 min a day and he can take his exercise where ever he goes here in NZ or overseas.

From the view as a Physiotherapist, Don's balance and coordination is amazing. He can walk anywhere, take up most activities and he has now he joined the non-ACC funded advanced classes. He is confident in the advanced TCA 2 form with all the turns, he performs the TCD form. Don now has started to take the warm ups in my advanced Tai Chi class in front of 20 other students and his long term goal is to become a Tai Chi teacher with Dr Paul Lam's system. - Thanks to Tai Chi he made the most remarkable recovery from a car accident, with multiple injuries incl. head-injury, I ever witnessed.

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The Latest Fall Prevention Review
Dr Paul Lam, Sydney NSW, Australia

Med Page Today published an interesting article from Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews – the most comprehensive and respected database reviews. The article, over 150 pages, is about an extensive review of 111 studies involving 55,303 participants about preventing falls for older adults. (Gillespie L D, Robertson M C, Gillespie W J, Lamb S E, Gates S, Cumming R G, Rowe B H. ‘Interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community’. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007146. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007146.)

Injury from falls is the most expensive health cost item in all western countries. In the USA it costs more than $20 billion per year. Many studies were undertaken to find out how to reduce this cost. The key finding of the review is “…Exercising in supervised groups, participating in tai chi, and carrying out individually prescribed exercise programs at home are all effective.”

The review, as I see it, shows tai chi as a highly effective, evidence based exercise. Compared to individually prescribed exercise, tai chi is cost effective and easily replicated. What is more, tai chi, especially the Tai Chi for Health programs (including TCA) is enjoyable and well liked by participants of all ages. Interestingly studies have shown swimming and walking did not significantly reduce the risk of falling for older people. While swimming and walking are wonderful exercises and have many health benefits, they do not have the same benefits on balance and fall prevention as does tai chi.

Tai chi has many health benefits, the USA National Centre of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine has undertaken research, training, and dissemination of data to the public and professionals point out the benefits of tai chi :

Tai chi is a low-impact form of exercise.
It is a weight-bearing exercise that can have certain health benefits—for example, to the bones.
It is an aerobic exercise.
Improves physical condition, muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility.
Have better balance and a lower risk for falls, especially in elderly people.
Ease pain and stiffness—for example, from arthritis.
Health benefits that may be experienced from meditation.
Improve insomnia.
Overall wellness.

While tai chi is almost common knowledge now, medical evidence is mounting on tai chi’s many health giving benefits. To me the most important point from NIACM is the last: tai chi improves overall wellness, in other words, tai chi improves people’s quality of life!

Click here for the review of this article.
Click here for the original Cochrane’s review.

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Humour, Laughter and Radiant Health
Dr Bob McBrien, Salisbury, Maryland, USA

June in the USA signals the end of the school year. After final exams the arrival of the last day of school brings joy to the hearts of students and, yes, teachers too. Career teachers often collect the humorous answers to examination questions and it is a delight to read their collections.

Once again, the innocence of young minds provides us with examples of positive humour, the type that does not offend or put down anyone. Here are school children’s exam answers taken from various science tests. I found these on the World Wide Web

Q: Define vibration.
A: A vibration is a motion that cannot make up its mind which way it wants to go.

Q: Define monsoon.
A: A monsoon is a French gentleman.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: salt, pepper, vinegar and mustard

Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does "varicose" mean?
A: Nearby.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery

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END OF NEWSLETTER
Warning: Dr. Lam does not necessarily endorse the opinion of other authors. Before practicing any program featured in this newsletter, please check with your physician or therapist. The authors and anyone involved in the production of this newsletter will not be held responsible in any way whatsoever for any injury which may arise as a result of following the instructions given in this newsletter.

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