February 23rd, 2025

2/23/2025

THE VA AND TAI CHI

In March 2025 I am about to start the MOVE Program through the VA (Veterans Hospital -- Clinic) and while I haven't fully ever completed the MOVE Program before I have started it twice before but never finished it. The first time I started the MOVE Program I realized that in that Move Program's class we just talked, that we never did any exercise or anything of that sort. I suppose we were supposed to do that on our own.

I'm interested in taking Tai Chi because I have always wanted to do Martial Arts and Tai Chi is a Martial Art but it's also so much more than that.

Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise combining slow-flowing intentional movements with breathing, awareness and visualization. Rooted in the Asian traditions of martial arts, Chinese medicine and philosophy, Tai Chi enhances relaxation, vitality, focus, posture, balance, strength, flexibility, and mood.

DOWNLOAD TAI CHI FACT SHEET

Background and Policy on Tai Chi in VA

Tai Chi is one of the evidence-based complementary and integrative health (CIH) approaches within the VHA Whole Health System of care included in the Veteran’s medical benefits package when deemed clinically necessary by his/her care team per VA Directive 1137 — Provision of Complementary and Integrative Health (recertified December 2022). Based on literature review these approaches were found to be safe and have sufficient evidence of benefit to be recommended as appropriate components of care for the Veteran population.

Tai Chi Safety and Effectiveness

An evidence map of Tai Chi was developed by the VA Health Services Research & Development. This systematic review provides a visual map of the evidence of tai chi. Conditions with evidence of positive effect include general health and well-being, stress, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, balance, cardiovascular disease, COPD, osteoarthritis, cognitive function, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, stroke, mood dysfunction, and cancer.

Tai Chi is generally thought to be safe and may be associated with minor musculoskeletal aches and pains including knee pain.

Online Resources

Handouts and Experiential Videos

WHOLE HEALTH > TAI CHI

Several of the VA Hospital's as far as I know DO offer Tai Chi as part of their WHOLE HEALTH program or initiative. As well as Yoga, Meditation, Mindfulness and more.

I am connected to the following VA Hospitals: