Introduction:
Low back pain (LBP) has now become a serious medical problem, but it is also an economic one, often leading to the physical disability of patients. Exercise therapy in an aquatic environment, including the Ai Chi method, is an increasingly popular preventive intervention in LBP. So far, however, only a few studies have evaluated the clinical usefulness of Ai Chi for the elderly with this problem.

Aim:
This study is a preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of the Ai Chi method for the treatment of chronic LBP in people over 60 years of age.

Material and Methods:
The research material consisted of 20 women aged 66.95 ± 3.76 years, diagnosed with chronic LBP, treated using the Ai Chi method. In an aquatic environment, the patients performed a series of slow and broad movements of the arms, legs and trunk combined with deep breathing (ten sessions for two weeks). The following research methods were used: the Fullerton Fitness Test, the grip strength test using a dynamometer, and pain intensity assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results:
The application of the Ai Chi method contributed to an improvement in physical fitness and a reduction in pain sensation in the exercising women. There were no significant changes in the measurements of the strength of the upper limbs.

Conclusions:
Ai Chi may be an effective method for reducing pain and improving lower body strength, flexibility, dynamic balance and endurance in older patients with chronic LBP.