5 Ways Practicing Tai Chi Can Help Manage Tardive Dyskinesia

Rigid muscles, an all too common and pretty debilitating symptom of Tardive Dyskinesia (TD), can severely impact your daily life. Black people in the United States are almost twice as likely as white people to develop TD.  With this being said, finding effective management techniques is vital.  Tai Chi, a gentle exercise that combines fluid movements and breath coordination, might be a potential solution for those seeking relief from muscle rigidity.  Today BlackDoctor.Org will explore five ways Tai Chi can help alleviate this symptom, based on the experiences of Jeff Shair, a Tardive Dyskinesia advocate at a pharmaceutical company. Shair’s story was featured in the March 2007 issue of the National Spasmodic Torticollis Association Magazine. 1. Better Breathing and Cardiovascular Health One of the most profound benefits of Tai Chi for those with TD is being able to practice better breathing. Jeff Shair, who suffers from both TD and Generalized Dystonia, experienced severe respiratory problems. He typically found himself gasping for air after brief strolls, attracting concerned attention from bystanders who thought he might be having an asthma or heart attack. After joining the Golden Breath American Tai Chi class in Philadelphia, Shair noticed a significant improvement in his breathing....