Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Navigation:
- Overview
- What Is Tai Chi?
- How Is Tai Chi Practiced?
- What Are the Health Benefits of Tai Chi?
- Why Is Tai Chi Good for Addiction Recovery?
- Does Tai Chi Actually Work?
- Does Insurance Cover Tai Chi?
- How Can I Find a Rehab That Offers Tai Chi?
Overview
More and more addiction treatment centers are embracing a holistic style of treatment in an effort to provide a whole-patient approach to the recovery process. This philosophy prioritizes the integration of physical, psychological, and social wellness and employs a range of therapeutic practices in its application. One of the most common of these practices is tai chi.
Tai chi offers varying levels of intensity, making it an accessible option for patients with different mobility and experience levels. When integrated into a comprehensive treatment program alongside detox and behavioral therapy, it may help patients build strength, decrease stress levels, and increase flexibility to improve their overall quality of life.
What Is Tai Chi?
Tai chi is a therapeutic practice that originated in ancient China and combines slow, graceful body movements with deep breathing and focused attention. It is often called “meditation in motion” because of its dual focus on movement and mindfulness. Tai chi can help build physical balance and strength while promoting calmness and focus.
Its application and practice center around five core principles, which include:
- Centering – Centering involves bringing your awareness and focus to your center, which is located in your lower abdomen and is known as the “dantian.” It serves as the center of movement and awareness.
- Vital Energy Generation and Circulation – Tai chi traditionally recognizes the concept of vital energy, or “qi.” Through practice, participants focus on becoming more aware of the generation and circulation of this energy.
- Softening – Through tai chi, muscles, thoughts, and emotions are encouraged to soften, allowing participants to release tension.
- Stability – By connecting with the ground through the feet, participants work toward becoming more stable, balanced, and grounded.
- Uprightness – While remaining grounded, practitioners maintain an upright body posture throughout their movements.
How Is Tai Chi Practiced?
The actual practice of tai chi may look different for everyone based on their experience, strength, and mobility levels. Generally, however, it begins by standing in a relaxed position with the knees slightly bent and the feet approximately shoulder-width apart. Throughout the session, participants engage in deep, natural breathing while shifting their weight from one leg to the other, remaining mindful of which leg is bearing the weight and which is not. Participants also turn their waists and hips along with their shoulders at different intervals throughout the exercise.
If you or your loved one are new to tai chi and want to learn more about beginner techniques and tips, organizations like the Tai Chi for Health Institute offer online training and resources to help you get started.
What Are the Health Benefits of Tai Chi?
Proponents and practitioners of tai chi have reported a variety of physical and emotional benefits, including but not limited to:
- Increased strength
- Better flexibility and posture
- Improved balance and aerobic conditioning
- Better movement control
- Improved joint and muscle health
- Increased mindfulness
- Better regulation of stress and mood
To pursue the potential health benefits of tai chi, beginners may benefit from working with an experienced instructor or practitioner who can help them learn proper techniques and adapt exercises to their specific health and mobility needs.
Why Is Tai Chi Good for Addiction Recovery?
When we consider the physical and psychological symptoms that can occur during recovery from alcohol or drug use, some may potentially be supported, in part, by holistic techniques like tai chi. While tai chi should not replace evidence-based medical or behavioral therapies, it may serve as a useful complementary practice as part of a comprehensive treatment program.
Tai chi may help promote relaxation, physical mobility, mindfulness, and emotional regulation while helping participants manage stress. These potential benefits can support overall wellness during addiction recovery. Some patients who begin practicing tai chi during treatment may choose to integrate it into their long-term wellness routines after completing their programs.
Does Tai Chi Actually Work?
In addition to its long history of traditional practice, there is an established and growing body of medical research examining the potential health benefits of tai chi. One comprehensive systematic review examined its impact across more than 25 health conditions. The review found substantial evidence regarding the health and fitness effects of tai chi and discussed the potential for evidence-based recommendations in clinical practice.
Does Insurance Cover Tai Chi?
While many insurance providers may not cover tai chi as a standalone therapy, coverage may be available for an overall addiction treatment program that offers tai chi alongside medical detox, comprehensive behavioral therapy, and other supplemental therapies. Coverage varies considerably by insurance plan, provider network, treatment facility, and medical necessity. The best way to determine whether your plan covers a treatment program that offers tai chi is to contact your insurance provider or an approved in-network behavioral health provider and verify your specific benefits.
How Can I Find a Rehab That Offers Tai Chi?
Many rehab facilities that offer tai chi will list it among their holistic or complementary therapies on their websites. Use our nationwide directory to locate a rehab that offer Tai Chi. You or your loved one can also contact the facility you’re considering directly to confirm whether tai chi is currently offered as part of its addiction treatment program.
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