Tai chi for long-term low back pain

INTERVENTION: Tai Chi Exercise Program: based on sun style tai chi, which compared to other styles of tai chi, involves less deep‐knee bending promoting a more upright stance, a decreased stepping distance which utilizes more forward, backward and side‐stepping movements. This tai chi program has 21 moves in total and was designed by Dr. Paul Lam, General Physician and Tai Chi Master. It has been entitled Tai Chi for Back Pain and can be viewed on DVD of same name. The dosage of treatment will be18 sessions over a 10 week period (2x/week for 8 weeks and 1x/week for 2 weeks). This dosage is consistent recent tai chi research and reflects the norm for general tai chi practice in the community. CONDITION: Long‐term low back pain PRIMARY OUTCOME: Bothersomeness of Pain Symptoms measured with the 0‐10 Bothersomeness Numerical Rating Scale SECONDARY OUTCOME: Health‐related Quality of Life measured with Short Form 36 (SF‐36) Health Survey v2 Pain measured with The Pain Disability Index Self‐reported Disability measured with ; The Quebec Pain Disability Scale Subject's global impression of change measured with the Global Perceived Effect Scale (‐5 to 5) INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Non‐specific low back pain +/‐ leg pain of at least 3 months duration. 2. A score of “moderate” or higher on item 7 or 8 of the SF‐36 3. Not currently receiving any new treatments within the last 4 weeks for their low back pain 4. Agree not to seek any new treatments for their back pain during the course of the trial 5. Aged greater than 18 and less than 75 years 6. English Speaker 7. Literate in English 8. Expects to continue residing in Sydney for study duration.