The Effects of TCC in Chronic Low Back Pain

Dr. Tahir Bhatti, M. D. was awarded a grant to study the effects of T’ai Chi Chih in chronic low back pain by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine on September of 1996. The grant awarded was The Fellowship to Explore Alternative Therapies in the UCSD School of Medicine.

The classes for this research were conducted at the Tai Chi Chih, Joy Thru Movement studio in San Diego from January through June 1997 and is currently being completed through the Chronic Low Back Pain Research Program at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center and VA Medical Center. This is a joint study sponsored by the Department of Psychiatry and Department of Orthopedics.

The principal objective for the study is to examine the efficacy of TCC in reducing pain and disability and improving mood in patients with chronic low back pain using a randomly assigned, controlled clinical trial. In this design the one group which learned TCC is being compared to a group who continued with their routine medical care for their chronic low back pain condition. Subjects filled out rating forms 3 times during the study to monitor for changes in pain, mood, and disability.

It would have been ideal to teach all 20 movements of TCC; however, due to time constraints for completion of this study, 11 of the 20 moves were taught in 6 week sessions.

This proposed study is potentially very important because it utilized a rigorous scientific methodology to study the efficacy of TCC as a treatment for chronic lower back pain. This is especially important in the context of a study population that has costly, prevalent, and often untreatable medical problems. Hopefully, it will open the eyes of physicians who currently only recommend a treatment if there is scientific proof that it will be beneficial to their patients.

Dr. Bhatti is compiling all of the data and will have a final result of the study later this year. We are hoping it will be published thus helping to educate those in the medical field on the many possible benefits of regular T’ai Chi Chih practice. This study may also open the door for future research studies which will time and time again prove (to those who need proof before trying the movements), that TCC is extremely beneficial in all areas of health and well-being.

We will keep you posted on the results.

Study Objective: To examine the efficacy of TCC in reducing pain and disability and improving mood in patients with chronic low back pain