| "As many of you know, last summer the FDA approved a new vaccination called Zostavax to help prevent shingles (a.k.a. varicella zoster) in adults ages 60 and older. Shingles is a painful rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox; it is usually seen in older adults during a period of time when the immune system is not working optimally, that is, during times of stress or illness." "The vaccine is not 100 percent effective, but if someone does get shingles even after being vaccinated, the vaccine can help to prevent complications, including post-herpetic neuralgia (the nerve pain that can persist even after the rash has cleared)." "But there may be something else you can do to prevent this painful condition from occurring in the first place. A new study from UCLA suggests that the practice of tai chi may be a way to reduce your likelihood of getting shingles. (Tai chi is a traditional Chinese martial art that involves slow, deliberate movement of the body through a number of positions and provides physical exercise as well as relaxation and meditation.)" "This study looked at the impact of tai chi on immunity in adults receiving a varicella vaccination. The researchers studied 112 healthy adults ages 59 to 86. Half of the group took part in a program of tai chi, while the other half received some health education; each group received two hours of instruction per week. After 16 weeks, all participants were given one dose of varicella vaccination, and the study was continued for another nine weeks." "Throughout the study, blood tests were done periodically to measure immune response to varicella. The researchers found that the tai chi alone produced increased immunity to
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