Tai Chi on the NHS

We are sorry to say that, after 29 years, our classes finished at the end of March 2026. It has been our pleasure and privilege to help so many help themselves. Matthew & Dave continue to run some of the classes privately. Please contact us for details. The classes will be open to anyone with a chronic condition, you will no longer need a GP referral.

 

Matthew taught Tai Chi and related practices for chronic pain on the NHS from 1997 – 2026, Matthew’s student Dave joined about a decade later (as did Gary, and later Fiona). As far as we are aware we were the first to do so in the UK.

We began in the Pain Clinic at Kent & Canterbury Hospital. In 2007 we moved to the Integrated Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (ICATS), which is now called the Community Chronic Pain Service, and expanded to cover East Kent.

In the twenty-nine years that we taught Tai Chi for Chronic pain in the NHS we found it to be an effective way of helping people to manage chronic illness. It has enabled many sufferers to reduce their medication while increasing their mobility and comfort. We found that it is also effective at returning the confidence that is so often lost when suffering from chronic pain.

Tai Chi is not a pill and it does not work over night. However it does provide a range of effective tools for dealing effectively with pain.

We have been able to help people to combat a broad range of chronic illnesses including: back, neck, and joint problems (e.g. injuries, arthritis, sciatica), circulatory problems (heart function, hardening of veins and arteries, lack of circulation in the hands and feet, high and low blood pressure), diabetes, breathing problems (Asthma, Bronchitis, Emphysema), nervous problems (MS, nerve damage), lack of energy (Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, low immunity), digestive problems (IBS, Crohn’s), Connective Tissue Disorders (Hypermobility Syndromes, EDS), poor sleep, poor balance, anxiety and stress related illnesses.