The document provides information about Tai Chi for Arthritis, including its benefits and research supporting its effectiveness. It was developed by Dr. Paul Lam for people with arthritis and elderly individuals with balance problems. Tai Chi combines movement with stress reduction to improve health. Research shows it can increase strength and flexibility, decrease pain and stress, improve balance, and reduce falls in older adults. The document encourages healthcare providers to recommend Tai Chi for Arthritis to eligible patients.

1. Day 1, Handout #1

2. Day 2, Handout #2
Stress Evaluation

3. Day 1, Handout #3
Physical Symptoms Questionnaire
Please look over this list of stress-related symptoms and circle how often they have occurred in the past week, how severe they seemed to you, and how long they lasted. Then
reflect on the past week’s workload and see whether you notice any connection between your stress levels and possible stress-related symptoms.
How Often? How Severe? How Long?
(Number of days (1 = mild; (1 = 1 hour;
in the past week) 5 = severe) 5 = all day)
1. Tension headache 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
2. Migraine headache 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
3. Muscle tension (neck and/or shoulders) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
4. Muscle tension (lower back) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
5. Joint pain 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
6. Cold 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
7. Flu 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
8. Stomachache 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
9. Stomach/abdominal bloating/distention/gas 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
10. Diarrhea 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
11. Constipation 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
12. Ulcer flare-up 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
13. Asthma attack 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
14. Allergies 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
15. Canker/cold sores 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
16. Dizzy spells 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
17. Heart palpitations (racing heart) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
18. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
19. Insomnia 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
20. Nightmares 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
21. Fatigue 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
22. Hemorrhoids 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
23. Pimples/acne 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
24. Cramps 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
25. Frequent accidents 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
26. Other 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
(Please specify: _______________________)

4. Day 2, Handout #1

5. Day 2, Handout #2
Bridging the Hemispheres of Thought
In 1956 a researcher named Roger Sperry conducted some experiments on a handful of patients with grand mal epileptic seizures. In the procedure he created, he cut the corpus
callosum, the bridge of neural fibers that connects the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Not only did the operation reduce the number and intensity of the grand mal seizures,
but it also soon gave credence to a whole new concept of how the mind, through the brain, processes information. Roger Sperry’s research led to a Nobel Prize in medicine and to the
household expressions right-brain thinking and left-brain thinking.
Left-brain thinking skills are associated with judgment, analysis, mathematical and verbal acuity, linear thought progression, and time consciousness; right-brain functioning is
associated with global thinking, holistic thinking, imagination, humor, emotionality, spatial orientation, receptivity, and intuition; Western culture grooms and rewards left-brain
thinking. It is fair to say that judgmental thinking is one of our predominant traits. Although it is true that Western culture is left-brain dominant in thinking skills, the truth of the
matter is that to be dominant in one style of thinking is actually considered lopsided and imbalanced.
How would you describe your dominant thinking style? Would you say that your left brain or right brain dominates?
If you were to make a guess or assumption as to why your thinking skills gravitate toward one direction or the other, what would be your explanation?
One of the basic themes of wellness is balance—in this case, balance of the right-brain and left-brain functions. Based on your answer to the first question, what are your dominant
thinking skills and your non-dominant thinking skills? What are some ways you can balance your patterns by bridging between the right and left hemispheres of your brain?

6. Day 3, Handout #1
Tai Chi for Arthritis – Fact Sheet for Health Care Professionals
By: Arthritis Foundation of Australia
� Copyright Dr Paul Lam. Reproduction for nonprofit educational purposes is permitted.
If your patient would like to enroll in a Tai Chi for Arthritis class, this is information about tai chi in general, and the special benefits of the Tai Chi for Arthritis program.
What is Tai Chi?
 Tai Chi is a slow moving meditative exercise that began in ancient China, around 500 years ago.
 Tai Chi combines stress reduction with movement to improve health.
 Dr. Paul Lam, from Sydney, Australia is family practice doctor who developed Tai Chi for Arthritis for people with arthritis and elderly people with balance problems. Dr Lam developed the form with input from rheumatologists
and physical therapists.
What are the benefits of Tai Chi for Arthritis?
 Increases strength and flexibility
 Decreases pain in joints
 Decreases stress
 Helps reduce high blood pressure
 Increases sense of well-being.
 Improves balance
What is some of the research behind Tai Chi?
 In the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2001 June 35(3): 148-56, Dr. J.X. Li, et al., reported on "Tai Chi: physiological characteristics and beneficial effects on health" that tai chi rated as a moderately aerobic exercise.
 The best known randomized study for fall prevention was conducted by Emory University in the USA. Called the FICSIT study (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques). This study showed that tai chi
reduces the rate of falls of the elderly by a massive 47.5 percent.
 In a 2003 Journal of Rheumatology article, older women with osteoarthritis safely performed the 12-movement Tai Chi for Arthritis program and noted improvement of symptoms as well as improved balance and physical
functioning.
 In 2007 Journal of Arthritis Care and Research, 152 people with osteoarthritis gain pain relief and better physical function from practicing Tai Chi for Arthritis program.
Who practices Tai Chi for Arthritis?
 Tai Chi for Arthritis has been officially adapted as the tai chi form used by the Arthritis Foundation of America; supported by Arthritis Foundation of Australia and Arthritis Care of UK.
 Thousands of people practice Tai Chi for Arthritis in the U.S. and internationally.
How can you encourage your patient to benefit from Tai Chi for Arthritis?