Ancient art eases the pain

Desma Smith has rheumatoid arthritis and takes part in tai chi to improve her flexibility and help with pain.

WHILE she hasn’t learnt the splits yet, Desma Smith is using an ancient art form to improve her life in more ways than one.

Mrs Smith has been living with rheumatoid arthritis for 32 years, and said the secret to managing the disease was tai chi.

She attends classes twice a week to improve her concentration, relaxation and movement.

She said “keeping mobile” was the key to controlling the pain associated with arthritis, and this week speaks out as part of Arthritis Awareness Week.

“Tai chi is a very social event,” Mrs Smith said.

“Living with rheumatoid arthritis isn’t easy, but you just try to get on with it. Sometimes you get frustrated that you can’t do things that other people take for granted.

“I certainly don’t think there is enough awareness about it in the community – most arthritis sufferers look completely normal, but can be holding a lot of pain.”

The support group for Ipswich residents living with the disease is held on the last Friday of every month at 1pm in the Health Plaza on Bell Street.

Ipswich Support Group co-ordinator Monica McGyver said there was no point in sitting at home and worrying about the pain.

“Sitting around just makes it worse,” she said.

“You just have to get out and enjoy life. If you let arthritis get the better of you, you can end up with frozen joints and lose all quality of life.”

The group enjoys a guest speaker, afternoon tea and the chance to socialise.

A six-week tai chi course will begin on Tuesday, April 13, at the Humanities Building.

Phone 1800 011 041 for session times.