Wheelchair Tai Chi as a Therapeutic Exercise for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) rarely participate in health-promotion programs or wellness screenings due to the lack of accessibility, adaptations, and tertiary healthcare providers. An unconditioned body is more prone to suffer injury and is at risk for more severe health problems than a conditioned one. As is common in individuals with SCI, a physically inactive lifestyle is associated with secondary conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, respiratory complications, urinary tract infections, pain, and depression. While there are many health and exercise programs available for able-bodied individuals, few of them can accommodate individuals with SCI. Wheelchair tai chi, a mind-body harmony exercise focusing on both physical and mental health, is suggested as an activity that could be made available for individuals with SCI. The purpose of this article is to introduce a wheelchair tai chi exercise program to promote the physical and mental health of students with SCI or other disabilities.