Use it or Lose it!

Martial arts serve many purposes.

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Rather than just self-defense, they can be a vehicle to whole-body wellness. Most martial arts are physically demanding in some way, and as you know I've struggled with my own challenges of practicing martial arts in my life. But if done properly these arts can actually help you stay healthy as you age, even into your 50s and 60s.

Here in my counseling office in Fairfax City, I have many clients who struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Martial arts can help maintain - like they say, use it or lose it.

What's great is that this is increasingly recognized by Western medicine. Tai chi, for example, is recommended by doctors for elderly people who face pain from arthritis. Tai chi is a slow art, which was supposedly developed to help aging Chinese monks stay fit and healthy. Despite being slow, it's also physically intense. Many times you hold postures for moments at a time that require significant muscle and flexibility – so you tend to build up both as you practice.

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It's actually these same challenging postures that help with arthritis pain. When people suffer from arthritis in a joint, they naturally avoid using it. This leads to stiffness, muscle loss and ultimately even more arthritis pain. It's counter-intuitive, but movement itself is what helps preserve joint tissue and relieve swelling and pain. Practicing tai chi gives you the stretching and exercise your joints need in a way that's gentle and gradual.

So in a way, it's like yoga, except you get a sword if want.

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I think this same theme runs through many of the challenges we face. Often, the more difficult choice is the one that will heal us the most. For someone facing chronic knee pain, a half hour of exercise a day must sound incredibly daunting. But choosing that hard work results in the least pain and the best range of physical motion.

How many other things in life are like that? Use it or lose it - that's my mantra.