Martial Arts for Chronic Illness

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A while back I wrote this guest post for somebody but they ended up not using it so I thought why not post it here for anybody it’s relevant too.
The thought of taking up a martial art if you suffer from some form of chronic illness is probably the last thing on your mind. But there are many benefits to studying the arts that can help a great deal with chronic illness. Do not let it stop you from living your life to the full. No, we are not talking about jumping into a cage for 4 rounds of ground and pound. There is so much more to martial arts than just fighting and self-defense.

 

Mind and Body

An Interesting paper on this researched Martial Arts and Metabolic Diseases (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5968920/)

it concluded that Tai Chi was found to be effective for reducing the risk of stroke and improving metabolic diseases. Other styles of martial arts, such as Kung Fu and Karate, may be beneficial for body composition, glycemic control, and arterial stiffness; however, it did suggest more research was needed.

For a start all, Martial arts involves some form of regular exercise and more importantly exercise you will enjoy. Through regular training your metabolism will spike, helping to maintain a healthy heart and improve your circulatory system. Regular activation of organs such as the Kidneys and Liver will help with their function and with removing toxins from the body. The more you train the more your lung capacity will increase. Form and balance will help with good posture and mobility that is essential for spinal health and organ function.

There are many styles of soft martial arts such as Tai Chi. Much like yoga, it focusses on breathing and soft movements. Yang style Tai Chi is the ultimate soft martial arts but if you think “oh this can’t be doing much” think again. After a solid 1-2-hour session you will be sweating like anything and it really works your legs. Evidence supports that Tai Chi is effective in relieving arthritis, preventing falls and improving posture and balance. It will also strengthen your leg and back muscle. On top of that Tai Chi can be very relaxing with deep breathing and slow calm movements. Great for stress relief.

Aikido is another form of relatively soft martial arts, no punches or strikes just using your opponent’s momentum against them to throw them. It can be oddly satisfying seeing someone twice your size being thrown by your hand.

Karate practitioners practice Kata. Kata is a pattern of movements involving stances and strikes. This leads to improved posture, balance and leg strength.

Not just Karate many martial arts will have patterns, forms, and stances, all great for posture, strength, balance, and breathing.

 

Martial arts fighting illness in the news

After a little research, I came across a very inspiring story of a 5 year who is fighting back against chronic Arthritis and an immune disorder with Karate.

The story goes on to say he was first diagnosed age 3 he had very weak legs and physiotherapy proved to difficult. He took up martial arts and although he found it hard at first, he now flourishes. His legs are much stronger.

Jake’s mother, Kerry Frood, said that her son’s martial arts training has had a miraculous effect on his health issues. However, it has required both patience and commitment.

It’s just unbelievable and without martial arts, he wouldn’t be the person he is today,” Kerry told reporters. “I don’t think there are many children his age that could do what Jake does. He might be small but he is hard as nails, I’m so proud of what he has achieved.

Martial arts superstar Jet Li himself has been suffering from Hyperthyroidism for nearly ten years. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid. The thyroid produces too much of a hormone known as Thyroxine. It hasn’t stopped him. He is still practicing Wushu and staring in action movies.

I found quite an interesting documentary on YouTube called The Doctor Who Gave Up Drugs.  Obviously, the giving up drugs argument is a whole other thing but what interested me at 10 minutes in. We get introduced to Crystal who suffers from chronic pain, she can barely walk. Doctors don’t know why; physiotherapy hasn’t helped. Drugs not really working. She looks like she’s on the verge of giving up. She’s featured throughout. The whole thing is an interesting watch but skip forward to 39 minutes, he introduces her to White Crane Kung Fu classes. She partook and yes it was hard for her but then skip forward to 49 minutes where we catch up with her and look at the difference.

 

So, in conclusion, anyone that thinks that can’t do it because of their condition or it won’t work, there is no harm in trying. I myself have suffered from spinal, neck and even chest issues. Twisted vertebrate in my neck and back caused all types of strained muscles, sometimes I wouldn’t be able to move my neck for days just staying in a looking forward position like a statue as twisting my neck caused immense pain. I started training in Shaolin Kung Fu the reason being is because it covers a lot of different things. I look at it as an all in one martial art. There’re the traditional Kung Fu forms classes, Tai Chi classes, Sanda (Kickboxing) classes, and even Qi Gong (Meditation) classes. I rarely have neck issues now and even able to go gym lifting heavy weights.

Chin up and give it a try.