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Nowadays information can travel at the speed of light, thus promoting greater intercultural exchange between the East and the West. Although modern Western medicine is recognized worldwide as being both safe and effective (although not always inexpensive), just recently has Eastern medical and spiritual wisdom begun to permeate into Western popular culture.

Take slow, relaxing Chinese Tai Chi, for example. 30 years ago hardly anyone had heard of this ancient healing art, but now you can see everywhere; in health magazines, on TV, and of course, on the Internet.

Although some people are fascinated simply by the fluidity of movement and mysticism of Tai Chi, I was more curious about about just how effective Tai Chi is for curing lower back pain due to a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, strained back and the like.

Although medical doctors seem to be having a difficult quantifying the exact results of practicing Tai Chi, you'd be hard pressed to find a doctor who says it can't hurt to give Tai Chi a try.

Some basic information on Tai Chi can be found here.

One last note: You may have noticed that sometimes "Tai Chi" is spelled "Taiji Quan." Neither is "more correct" than the other, however "Taiji Quan" is the official word used in Greater China and taught in school. "Tai" is pronounced like "necktie" and "ji" as in "jeep." "Quan" starts with a "ch" sound and rhymes with "spawn." Nobody said genuine Chinese pronunciation was easy!