The affect of arthritis on people above 65 years is immense. The condition is so bad that a recent survey concluded that there were 70% people above the age of 65 in India who were suffering from the ailment.

Though the news is worrisome, there is a twist in the tale, as the study has also found that martial arts like tai chi can bring some relief to the sufferer. It has been years since doctors had started looking for ways to cure the condition or help patients suffering from arthritis by reducing the pain, nothing much could be done.

In a new study, which was conducted by researchers at the Chapel Hill School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, doctors have found that the slow fluid movements in Tai-Chi could drastically reduce pain from arthritis. The study saw the participation of 354 people, who were randomly divided into two groups.

One of the groups practised tai chi for a period of eight weeks while the other did not. In the follow up of the study, it was found that those who got themselves involved in tai chi suffered less pain from arthritis. Following the development, those who had earlier not joined the tai chi classes but had joined them later even they showed improvement.