Participating in T'ai Chi to Reduce Back Pain and Improve Quality of Life

T'ai chi/Qigong is a multidimensional (mind, body, and spirit integrative) and multimodal (strength, flexibility, balance, posture, and light to moderate aerobic) form of exercise that is safe for persons of all ages and physical abilities. The 12-week, twice-per-week t'ai chi and qigong gentle movement and meditation program proposed to be studied is adapted from the WaQi program, a curriculum developed by Master Yang Yang, PhD. The practice is gentle yet powerful, aiming to relieve and prevent back, neck, and hip pain. It has an online teaching module and is uniquely suited for our study population. The program requires no difficult movement transitions, but still contains all essential parts including meditation. The WaQi program has less psychological stress and physical challenge than other exercise activities because it can be performed either sitting, standing, and lying down.

The control arm will receive the same 12-week, twice-per-week t'ai chi and qigong gentle movement and meditation, online live T'ai Chi and Qigong teaching module from Jan. 26, 2023 to April 17, 2023.