Tai Chi for Gut Health: A Guide to Wellness

For individuals dealing with digestive issues and conditions, can incorporating Tai Chi help improve gut health?

Tai Chi For Gut Health

Tai Chi is an exercise that has been referred to as moving meditation. The practice is rooted in Chinese medicine, which fuses martial arts and meditation. The art of Tai Chi is used to improve physical health. It can also positively impact gut health by improving digestive function, reducing inflammation, and influencing the gut microbiota composition. The slow, controlled movements and deep breathing can stimulate abdominal and pelvic organs, promoting digestion. Additionally, it has been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and increase the diversity of gut bacteria, including beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria. (Kang D., Wang X., & Wang J., 2023)

Types

The idea is to slow down your mind and body by repeating rhythmic choreography and breathwork for about 30 to 60 minutes, culminating in finding a sense of inner peace and tranquility.

Primary Forms/Styles

These include Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun, and Wu/Hao. Each follows the same origins and principles with variations. (Tai Chi for Health Institute, 2007)

Chen Style

• Considered the oldest and original style, the Chen style is characterized by explosive power, low stances, and a combination of fast and slow movements, including jumping, kicking, and striking.
• Chen also utilizes a movement called “silk reeling,” a spiral-esque, flowing movement that starts at the feet and moves into the hands.

Yang Style

• Yang is often considered the most popular form of Tai Chi and is practiced worldwide.
• Yang Tai Chi focuses more on improving flexibility through grand, sweeping movements executed slowly and gracefully.

Wu Style

• Wu Tai Chi emphasizes small, compact movements and a medium stance. Its focus is on extending the body by leaning forward and backward.

Sun Style

• Sun Tai Chi combines elements of Tai Chi, Xing Yi, and Ba Gua, resulting in a unique style with fluid, circular movements.

Hao Style

• This style is characterized by small-frame movements focusing on accurate position and internal strength.

Gut Health

By improving various aspects of gut health, Tai Chi can contribute to overall well-being. (Kang D., Wang X., & Wang J., 2023)

Relieves Stress and Anxiety

• Stress can lead to digestive problems
• Tai Chi can indirectly benefit gut health by reducing stress levels.
• Its emphasis on slow movements and deep breathing can help reduce stress.
• Combining meditative practices with physical movement can help calm the mind, improve focus, and even trigger the release of endorphins.

Improved Digestion

• Gentle, flowing movements, particularly those involving the diaphragm, can massage and stimulate the abdominal and pelvic organs, aiding the digestive process.

Reduced Inflammation

• Tai Chi can help reduce gut inflammation, a common issue in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Gut Microbiota Changes

• Tai Chi has been found to positively influence the gut microbiota composition, increasing the diversity and abundance of beneficial bacteria.

Improved Gut Barrier Function

• Tai Chi may help improve the integrity of the gut barrier, which is essential for preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream and causing inflammation.

Increased Butyrate Production

• Tai Chi can promote the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria, which are important for intestinal health and can reduce inflammation.

Overall Health Benefits

Increases Cognitive Function

• In addition to improving your mental well-being, Tai Chi has also been found to boost cognitive abilities.
• A meta-analysis stated that physical exercise, in general, improves cognitive function, and researchers specifically recommended Tai Chi for elderly individuals since it’s a gentler and more accessible form of physical exercise that also combines mental exercises through repeated choreography. (Yin Wu, et al., 2013)

Increases Flexibility and Agility

• Similar to yoga, Tai Chi often involves body extensions that can improve flexibility and agility.
• This is useful in daily activities and makes you more agile and capable in other sports.

Improves Balance and Coordination

• In addition to improving flexibility and agility, the intricate movements can help balance and coordination.
• This skill is useful in daily life.
• It can help with fine motor skills and even prevent trips, stumbles, falls, and other sports.

Enhances Strength and Stamina

• As with any form of physical exercise, Tai Chi can build upon existing strength and stamina.
• With ongoing practice, individuals become leaner, their muscles are more defined, and they can exercise longer.

Injury Medical Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Clinic

Talk to a healthcare provider to learn what interventions would help the most. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal issues.

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Body Maintenance

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References

Kang, D., Wang, X., & Wang, J. (2023). Intervention study of tai chi training on the intestinal flora of college student basketball players. Medicine, 102(36), e35044. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000035044

Wu Y, W. Y., Burgess EO, Wu J. (2013). The effects of Tai Chi exercise on cognitive function in older adults: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2(4), 193-203. doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2013.09.001

Tai Chi for Health Institute. (2018). History of Tai Chi. taichiforhealthinstitute.org/history-of-tai-chi/#:~:text=Based%20on%20Qigong%20and%20martial%20art%20techniques,It%20contains%20explosive%20power%20and%20low%20stances.