Chronic inflammation, associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, gastritis or inflammatory bowel disease is mediated predominantly by monocytes which mature into macrophages once they leave the blood stream.

A US pilot study, has suggested that just one hour of Tai Chi practice can decrease the number of pro-inflammatory cells in the blood stream.

Healthy subjects were asked to perform tai chi for one hour. Four millilitres of peripheral blood was collected immediately prior and after the one hour of practice. 

The blood was analysed and the results showed that the proportion of pro-inflammatory monocytes in peripheral blood decreased immediately after one hour of tai chi.

This study is called ‘Exploring the use of five colour flow cytometry to examine the effect of acute tai chi practice on pro inflammatory monocyte subtypes’  and published in The Journal of Chinese Medicine.

Working with Martin Fayers, Woolpit Complementary holds two classes a week. To find out more, please visit our Tai Chi page or call 01359 408 011.