When tai chi is adapted to the needs of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), the slow, gentle movements help improve muscle tone.

“Many sports and exercise programs cause the body temperature to rise, which may temporarily worsen MS symptoms. But, it turns out, many types of exercise can be adapted to enable people with MS to participate successfully. And although we would have guessed to the contrary, tai chi turns out to be one of them.”

This and more about tai chi is discussed by Seana O’Callaghan on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society website.

Many chapters of the National MS Society sponsor programs. An introductory review of tai chi is here.

Illustration: Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan in the Cotswolds

8/6/06 10:08 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.