Tai Chi is an ancient form of Chinese exercise and martial art. It is practiced widely throughout the world especially where the Asian communities live. In Chinese culture, exercise is an important part of daily living. Chinese people in China, Taiwan, and other areas will wake up early in the morning to exercise whether it is Tai Chi or some other form of exercise. Tai Chi in western countries is still pretty foreign. There are still many questions about Tai Chi and what it is.

Tai Chi originated in China. There are a few different origin theories about Tai Chi, but one of the more famous origin theories is that of Zhang San Feng. It is said that Zhang San Fen was a Taoist monk from Wu Dang Mountain who practiced the internal martial arts. One day he had a dream and saw a snake and a crane fight. Every time the crane grabbed onto the snake, the snake was able to relax and get out of its hold. Because of the snake’s subtleness and softness, it was able to defeat the crane. Zhang San Feng took the principles that the snake used and developed 13 postures. These postures became the basis of Tai Chi.

There are many different styles of Tai Chi. The main styles of Tai Chi include Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu/Hao, and Sun. All of the different styles of Tai Chi have similar movements, but also have their own unique movements that differentiate each style. In each style of Tai Chi all of the principles are the same.

Some people ask the question what is the difference between Tai Chi and Qi Gong? Qi Gong is a broad term. There are many different forms of Qi Gong. There can be standing Qi Gong, sitting Qi Gong, and moving Qi Gong. Tai Chi is a form of moving Qi Gong. Tai Chi can help you improve your internal energy and improve the function internal organs. Unlike other Qi Gong, Tai Chi can also be used for self defense. Each movement of Tai Chi, when practiced well can be used to defend oneself.

There are many different health benefits of Tai Chi. The main benefits are: stress reduction, balance, flexibility, cardiovascular, strengthening the immune system, and self defense. There have even been modern research done that have shown Tai Chi to be effective for balance and the immune system.

Tai Chi is a soft, gentle, and low impact exercise that can help improve overall health and wellness. As a Chinese medicine practitioner, I recommend patients to practice Tai Chi to prevent from getting any more illnesses. Tai Chi can be practiced by all ages and at all levels. It is for everyone. I welcome all to come and try out our Tai Chi classes.

About the author:

Tye Hao Lu began study of Kung Fu at the young age of 3 years old. He has trained the majority of his life and has achieved a level of Kung Fu mastery that can only be attained through a lifetime of rigorous and dedicated study. Tye Hao Lu has competed in a variety of tournaments, including the Utah Summer Games where he won several gold and silver medals and other international Kung Fu tournaments winning gold medals. Tye Hao has been teaching Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu for over 10 years and in 2004 was awarded the title of Master. Tye Hao is also a Licensed Acupuncturist with a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  He currently practices acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and tui na (Chinese massage) at Master Lu's Health Center.  He specializes in pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and internal medicine.

What is acupuncture and how does it work? This is the most common question that is asked to a Chinese medicine doctor. Chinese medicine is a complete medical system of diagnosing and treating disease. It has its own methods of diagnosing and treating disease. Chinese medicine includes acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Chinese medical massage (tui na), food therapy, and exercise. In the West, acupuncture is a more common modality used among Chinese doctors. Most Chinese doctors in the West will also practice the other Chinese medical modalities of herbs and massage.

Many patients will wonder how does putting in needles ever have any benefit for the body and health. The Chinese discovered over 3,000 years ago that the body has energy that flows through it. This energy is most commonly known as Qi or pronounced chi. Qi will travel through your body along channels or meridians. There are also other vital substances discovered such as blood, essence, and body fluids. Each channel or meridian corresponds to an organ. For example, there is a liver channel, spleen channel, heart channel, etc. Along the channels there are acupuncture points that lie on the surface of the body. The body consists of 361 regular acupuncture points and many extra points. Some say that there are over a thousands points. Each acupuncture point has a different function. Whenever there is an imbalance of qi within the body that is when disease arises. By placing needles at certain acupuncture points, it will help bring balance to the body to promote the body’s self healing mechanisms.

A Chinese doctor will look at patterns of disharmony to determine which acupuncture points to use or which herbs to use that will be best for the patient. By asking questions, looking at the body, looking at the tongue, and feeling the pulse, a Chinese doctor is able to diagnose and find the pattern of disharmony and administer the appropriate treatment.

In the West there is more research being done how physiologically acupuncture works. According to current research that has been done, acupuncture acts on the brain and the central nervous system. It will release natural hormones, chemicals, neurotransmitters, and endorphins within the body. The natural chemicals and hormones that are released within the body will assist the body to promote its natural health healing abilities. For example, endorphins are a natural chemical within the body that regulates pain. That is one of the main reasons why acupuncture is so effective for pain because it does release endorphins within the body. Acupuncture can also release other chemicals such as serotonin. That is one reason why acupuncture can assist with emotional and sleeping disorders. There still needs more research on how acupuncture works biomedically . In conclusion however acupuncture works.

The World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health have found the following disorders treatable with acupuncture:

• Addictions- alcohol, drugs, smoking
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chronic fatigue
• Colitis
• Common cold
• Constipation
• Dental pain
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Digestive trouble
• Dizziness
• Dysentery
• Emotional problems
• Eye problems
• Facial palsy
• Fatigue
• Fertility
• Fibromyalgia
• Gingivitis
• Tooth pain
• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting
• Wrist pain
• Headache
• Hiccough
• Incontinence
• Indigestion
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Low back pain
• Menopause
• Menstrual irregularities
• Migraine
• Morning sickness
• Nausea
• Osteoarthritis
• Pain
• PMS
• Pneumonia
• Reproductive problems
• Rhinitis
• Sciatica
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Shoulder pain
• Sinusitis
• Sleep disturbances
• Smoking cessation
• Sore throat
• Stress
• Tennis elbow
• Tonsillitis

Acupuncture is effective for many different health conditions and is complementary to our current western health care. For more information please contact Master Lu’s Health Center at (801) 463-1101

About the author:

Tyehao Lu began study of Kung Fu at the young age of 3 years old. He has trained the majority of his life and has achieved a level of Kung Fu mastery that can only be attained through a lifetime of rigorous and dedicated study. Tyehao Lu has competed in a variety of tournaments, including the Utah Summer Games where he won several gold and silver medals and other international Kung Fu tournaments winning gold medals. Tyehao has been teaching Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu for over 10 years and in 2004 was awarded the title of Master. Tyehao is also a Licensed Acupuncturist with a Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.  He currently practices acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and tui na (Chinese medical massage) at Master Lu's Health Center.  He specializes in pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and internal medicine.

Acupuncture for Low Back Pain

One of the main reasons that people go to see their physicians is for low back pain. It is a major reason why people miss work and other activities. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people in the United States will experience low back pain at least once in their lives.

Causes of low back pain

There are many causes of low back pain. Some of the main causes are trauma, structural deformities, and diseases. Trauma includes back pain from strains and injuries. Structural problems such as herniated discs, stenosis, and vertebral deformities will cause back pain and sometimes chronic back pain. There are some diseases that will cause low back pain such as ankylosing spondylosis and osteoporsis. There are many reasons why someone will experience back pain.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of back pain can be a broad range. There is usually pain that is experienced in the lumbar region of the back. Many times it can be just local and muscular pain. There is back pain that can radiate down the legs. Some of the many complaints can include stabbing pain, dull pain, throbbing pain, spasmodic pain, and numbness. There can be pain that will radiate to the toes causing the toes to become numb. Back pain can even be so debilitating that it will be difficult to walk. Most times especially if there is arthritis, back pain will be influenced by weather changes.

Treatment options

There are different treatment options for low back pain. Many of the most common treatments are anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxors. Many times the vertebrae can be so bad that surgery is required. One other treatmentment that has been shown to be effective with low back pain is acupuncture and Chinese medicine.

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine

Acupuncture is a branch of Chinese medicine. It is effective for the treatment of low back pain. Chinese medicine views the body different than Western medicine. According to Chinese medicine, there is energy that travels through the body along channels or meridians. This energy is commonly referred to as Qi (chi). Whenever the energy and other substances within the body get out of balance then disease will arise. With low back pain there can be stagnation of qi and blood, deficiency of qi, and exterior pathogens such as wind and cold that can cause low back pain. The main organ affected with low back pain according to Chinese medicine is the kidney. Acupuncture will help balance the body allow the energy to flow better and promote the body self healing mechanisms.

Acupuncture is a viable treatment for low back pain both acute and chronic. Many times with acute back pain, acupuncture will help with a few treatment. Chronic back pain may take a little longer and many times people will have to come in for maintainence or preventative treatments. Acupuncture can help with low back pain conditions such as sciatica, herniated discs, stenosis, and arthritis.

For more information or to schedule a free consultation please give us a call at Master Lu’s Health center at (801) 463-1101