Tai Chi on the NHS
We have taught Tai Chi and related practices on the NHS since 1997. As far as we are aware we were the first to do so.
We began in the Pain Clinic at Kent & Canterbury Hospital. In 2007 we moved to the Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS) of the Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT and expanded to cover all of East Kent. We teach at six sites at the moment, with plans for further expansion.
We are also planning a Pilot scheme with a GP Practise in Ramsgate to teach Tai Chi to a broad range of patients. Traditional Chinese medicine, of which Tai Chi is a branch, is particularly effective as a health rehabilitation and preservation practice. Prevention is better than cure. Our intent is to help patients avoid the long term chronic illnesses for which they are headed.
Our third area of interest is in also in the realm of preventative medicine, this time as Falls prevention. The development of balance is central to Tai Chi. Falling and the fear of falling make many people later years a misery. Tai Chi is extremely effective at developing balance no matter what your age or level of fitness.