Qigong Therapies: Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine For Health And Well-Being
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Qigong is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that falls under the umbrella of complementary and alternative medicine.
Health benefits of qigong therapies: How traditional Chinese medicine improves function and blood pressure
According to clinical practice guidelines, practicing qigong can help with increasing physical function, relieving pain, and improving quality of life for those experiencing chronic conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, for example. Qigong therapies may provide a range of health benefits for those who maintain steady practice, including improvements in both mental and physical health. These benefits align with traditional Chinese medicine’s holistic approach. This article will explain what qigong therapies entail and the different benefits they could bring to your life.
What is qigong in traditional Chinese medicine? Understanding qigong therapies, moving meditation, and treatment benefits
Qigong practice has two focus areas: dynamic qigong and meditative qigong. Dynamic qigong, which is also called active qigong, is the component of the practice that involves body movement, typically including a person’s whole body. Meditative qigong, also known as passive qigong, focuses more on the breathing techniques associated with the practice and usually involves holding one posture for a long period and meditating without any movement.
Qigong can be considered an umbrella term for several methods of traditional Chinese medical and healing practices, including:
Medical qigong
Medical qigong combines body movements with meditation and breathwork to potentially realign electromagnetic imbalances in the body. This may result in healthier control of a variety of internal systems, including the immune system and the nervous system.
Tai chi
Tai chi employs qigong principles in martial arts training. It focuses more on the physical elements of qigong exercises but still includes aspects of qigong meditation practices as well.
External qigong
With external qigong, skilled qigong practitioners focus on transmitting their qi, or “vital energy”, to another person. If you are interested in external qigong, it may be helpful to find qigong instructors who have been certified by the National Qigong Association.
How qigong therapies can help: Improving mind-body health and managing chronic conditions
Research is still being conducted on the effectiveness of qigong therapies on a range of physical and mental health conditions. Some preliminary research may indicate that qigong therapies can be helpful in addressing certain disorders and illnesses:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): People with COPD who practice qigong and focus specifically on breathing exercises may experience improvements in overall lung functioning. Qigong may also help to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety that can be associated with COPD.
- Parkinson’s disease: Practicing qigong may alleviate some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, potentially improving a patient’s range of motion, balance, and ability to walk.
- Pain: Some forms of chronic and acute pain can be positively affected by qigong. Specifically, qigong therapies may reduce musculoskeletal pain, neck and back pain, and pain associated with long-term immunological or neurological conditions, including fibromyalgia.
- Cancer: Qigong may help cancer patients improve their sleep quality, which can lead to lower levels of fatigue throughout the day. Qigong may also help alleviate some of the mental health impacts of cancer, including depression and anxiety that may accompany a cancer diagnosis or treatment regimen.
- Chronic heart failure: Practicing qigong and other forms of gentle exercise can help lower high blood pressure, which may decrease the recovery time from potential cardiac events associated with chronic heart failure.
- COVID-19: Many therapies associated with treating COVID-19, including qigong therapies, are still in the beginning stages of research and require more evidence. One early study of patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 and practiced qigong during their hospital stay indicated that qigong may have helped with lung functioning and reduced breathing-related symptoms like shortness of breath and cough.
- Mental health conditions: Qigong may help to assuage symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also has potential benefits for addiction and substance use disorders.
Maximizing holistic wellness with qigong therapies
More research needs to be conducted on qigong therapies before medical and mental health professionals can consider the practice an effective form of treatment for physical or mental health conditions. Regardless of the potential medical benefits of qigong, establishing a daily qigong routine can be a powerful self-care practice. Participating in physical movement and breathwork can help you ground yourself in your body. Moreover, taking time each day for yourself may help you to understand yourself more deeply.
Balancing health and well-being with qigong therapies
Health and well-being may involve balancing what we might think of as complementary medicine such as qigong or meditation, for example, and what we view as contemporary medicine such as going to the doctor. Wellness could mean seeing yourself as a whole person with a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual needs – precisely what the philosophy of qigong teaches. If you are considering beginning a qigong practice, you might want to build on the physical and mental health benefits qigong therapies may provide by continuing to further your mental wellness with a mental health counselor.
Furthering your wellness journey with online therapy and expert therapists
Between packed schedules, conflicting responsibilities, and trying to find time for yourself to meditate or practice qigong, it can be challenging to find time for a therapy appointment. Online therapy may be a more convenient way to get counseling. With this remote therapy, you don’t have to contend with commute times, which can make treatment more convenient. Online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp can also offer more flexible options when scheduling appointments, including appointments in the evenings and on weekends. Expert therapists can support your mental wellness alongside practices like qigong. Paired with practices like qigong, online therapy could promote wellness and healing in your life and contribute to mental well-being.
The efficacy of online therapy treatment
Research suggests there may be no difference in efficacy between getting therapy online and attending sessions in person. One study found that a course of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, one of the most widely practiced forms of talk therapy, helped to reduce the symptoms of multiple mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, and more. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an approach that teaches people to identify their unhelpful thoughts and create newer, more positive ways of thinking. If you are hoping to incorporate therapy into your life to complement the wellness practice you are building using qigong therapies, online therapy may be a helpful way to find additional mental health support.
Takeaway
How does traditional Chinese medicine, including tai chi and qigong therapies, contribute to mind-body health, blood pressure, and overall well-being?
Traditional Chinese medicine, such as tai chi and qigong therapies, promotes balance and harmony in the body, enhancing physical strength, flexibility, mental clarity, and emotional stability. These practices support mind-body health and may help regulate blood pressure.
Additionally, qigong exercise and qigong practice involve controlled breathing techniques, which can enhance lung function and overall psychological health. According to clinical practice, both medical qigong movements are recognized as forms of alternative medicine that may support the body's vital energy and aid in managing chronic disease.
Studies, including randomized controlled trials, have explored the effects of qigong classes and qigong instructors on people with knee osteoarthritis and other health concerns. Some findings published in an international journal suggest that Qigong practitioners experience significant improvements in sleep quality and overall well-being.
Integrative medicine research suggests that qigong appears to be a complementary therapy that works alongside Western medicine to restore health. While further systematic review and medical literature are needed, some randomized clinical trials have shown therapeutic efficacy in improving diastolic blood pressure, reducing depressive symptoms, and supporting meditative movements as a means of health promotion.
What are the benefits of using therapy and treatment methods from Chinese medicine for mental and physical health?
Chinese medicine therapies, like acupuncture and herbal treatments, can support mental relaxation, reduce stress, and alleviate physical ailments by addressing the root causes of imbalances. Also, qigong exercise and tai chi are widely practiced for improving physical function and overall well-being.
These methods are recognized in complementary and integrative health and are often used alongside Western medicine to manage chronic illness and promote balance. Studies, including those published in an international journal, highlight how Qigong practitioners experience benefits such as reduced depressive symptoms and relief from chronic pain.
Furthermore, environmental research and public health suggest that qigong movements can enhance physical activity and support recovery from various health concerns.
What are the four types of qigong therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, and how do they contribute to health and treatment?
The four types of Qigong therapy are medical, martial, spiritual, and health-focused. Each targets different aspects of wellness, such as healing, physical strength, meditation, and overall wellness. These therapies are key components of traditional Chinese medicine and support holistic health and treatment. Qigong exercise is often used to improve energy flow. Qi gong is also recognized in evidence-based complementary medicine for its role in reducing stress.
What are at least 3 benefits of qigong in traditional Chinese medicine?
In traditional Chinese medicine, qigong helps improve energy flow, reduce stress, and enhance mental focus and physical balance. It’s also recognized as a form of medical qigong, which is used in alternative medicine to support overall wellness and manage chronic illness.
Studies, including those involving a control group, have explored how people practicing qigong experience benefits such as reduced depressive symptoms and improved lung function. The National Qigong Association promotes different qigong styles, offering qigong classes led by certified qigong instructors.
Research in evidence-based complementary medicine has examined its role in improving physical activity and addressing high blood pressure. A pilot randomized clinical trial highlighted its effectiveness in enhancing traditional Eastern health practices as a complementary therapy for individuals managing chronic disease.
Studies, including work by Lee MS, have contributed to clinical practice guidelines published on its benefits compared to conventional exercise.
Can qigong be used to heal others in a treatment setting with moving meditation?
Yes, qigong can be used in a treatment setting to help balance energy, promote relaxation, and support the body’s natural healing abilities. Medical qigong is often used to help with high blood pressure and work toward improved lung function. This practice follows traditional Chinese philosophy, which focuses on harmony between the mind and body.
Research in evidence-based complementary medicine supports qigong exercise as a healing method. The National Qigong Association also promotes its use in therapy. Incorporating moving meditation enhances the effectiveness of this healing process.
Can qigong and tai chi be self-taught for health benefits, or is guidance from therapists recommended?
Qigong and tai chi can be self-taught through various resources for health benefits, but proper guidance from an instructor or a therapist is recommended to learn the correct techniques.
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