Amanda Wilde (Host): At Ridgecrest Regional Hospital, our trauma staff provide immediate evaluation, treatment, and care for people of all ages. Today, we're talking about prevention, using the ancient art of Tai Chi. Ridgecrest Regional Hospital is now offering Tai Chi classes specifically for arthritis and fall prevention.

We'll get the details next with Melissa Parkinson, Trauma Coordinator at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. Welcome to the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Podcast. I'm Amanda Wilde. Melissa, thank you so much for being here.

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: You're welcome, happy to be here.

Host: Never having taken Tai Chi, I am so curious to know what is Tai Chi and how does it work?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: So Tai Chi is an art that embraces the mind, the body, the spirit. Tai Chi originated in China and is based upon traditional medicine, martial arts, and Qigong, which Qigong is a system of exercises to optimize energy, keeping in mind body spirit, and mind.

Host: So who is this class geared toward?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: This particular class is geared towards fall prevention and arthritis; so anyone who's experiencing maybe limited mobility due to pain, stiffness, inflammation in their body; primarily for the senior community for fall prevention also, because the form of Tai Chi that will be presented in this class really works to strengthen the muscles, strengthen your inner strength and energy, and increase mobility, flexibility and balance.

Host: Well, those are some of the benefits, I suppose, of taking Tai Chi. How do you know when it's working for your clients?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Well, this is our pilot class, so that's a good question. We are mostly relying on the evidence that's been collected. There's been several scientific studies on this particular program and Tai Chi in general on its effects on improvement of balance, coordination, and strength and it's recommended and supported by the CDC and the Arthritis Foundation, also the National Council on Aging, and shown to have benefits for people.

Host: Well, who is teaching the sessions?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: So, actually, I'll be teaching the sessions. I spent a good part of this summer studying the Tai Chi. I've learned it through the Tai Chi Institute for Health. It's taught by Dr. Paul Lam. He's based in Australia. And he does many programs for Tai Chi for different modalities. But he's been practicing for about 40 years. He himself had severe arthritis when he was young, and he found it to just be life changing for him, the Tai Chi. And provide him relief of pain and increase his mobility and strength. So I spent about a month and a half studying it online. And then I spent a day with a master trainer. And together we sort of honed everything. So this will be the first time that I'll be teaching it. And I'm really excited about it.

Host: That is really fun, I think. First, the inaugural class, everyone working together for the first time.

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Yeah, it's going to be great.

Host: And I think of Tai Chi as something that is gentle, would you say that is true?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Yes, it is very gentle. Now, there are five different types of Tai Chi. This particular type that Dr. Paul Lam uses in his Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is the Sun Style, which focuses on flowing, gentle movements. There's nothing really aggressive in it. So, it's just the perfect program for this population.

Host: So you will take all levels in your class, all levels of physical mobility?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Oh sure, you can even do it in a chair. There's people who just stay seated during it. Because it's all about the whole person. Breathing, stretching your mind, relaxation, and movement.

Host: How long are the sessions?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: So, in his programs, it's suggested that 16 weeks, or 16 sessions, should help a person and then be able to just do it themselves at home. So we'll be starting with twice a week for eight weeks and it's about 45 minutes, maybe an hour each session.

Host: Where will the classes be?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: So we're going to hold the classes in our outreach building that's on Ridgecrest Boulevard so people can call me. We have a flyer, social media with my office number and then they just need to call and secure their spot. It is offered free right now to our community.

Host: Free. That's a good price.

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Yes.

Host: And you said you had a social media flyer. Can you provide information on how people listening right now could sign up for the class?

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Oh, sure. They could just call the number. I'll give it to you. It's 760-499-3396. And that's my office number and just leave their information if I'm not here to pick it up on how to contact them. And then I will call them back and let them know about the class beginnings.

Host: Thank you so much, Melissa, for doing this and I know in the class you'll share firsthand the benefits of Tai Chi.

Melissa Parkinson, RN, BSN, CEN: Right. I sure will. Yes. I'm really excited to get it started. Thank you.

Host: That was Melissa Parkinson, Trauma Coordinator at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. Please call 760-499-3396 to sign up for the class. If you found this podcast to be helpful, please share it on your social channels and make sure to check out the entire podcast library for topics of interest to you. Thanks for listening to this episode of the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital Podcast.