Qigong for Health

The word "qigong" comes from the Chinese words "qi" and "gong." "Qi" can mean breath, or air, but it can also refer to life force or the difference between a person who is alive and one who is dead. "Gong" refers to achievement or results. The two together refer to a cultivation of life's energy for prevention of illness and cure of disease.

History

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, a qigong master, traces the origin of qigong back 5,000 years ago in China. Little is known of the early years of the art of qigong, but in the "Tao Te Ching," one of the earliest written records of a central principle of qigong states that to gain health one should "concentrate on Qi and achieve softness." From those early days, qigong evolved into a system of working with the internal functions of the body while striving for health of body, mind and spirit.

Types

Thousands of styles of qigong are practiced today throughout the world. According to a 2009 article in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, titled Meditative Movement as a Category of Exercise, qigong styles can, however, be categorized in one of three classes. The first, dynamic qigong, which includes the art of tai chi, is a series of postures and movements that "move energy" and thus promote health. The second, static qigong, uses mental focus to hold a static posture, which fosters health and vitality. The third, meditative qigong, stills the mind and focuses on breath and energy pathways to promote movement of energy.

Qigong and Disease

A number of different health conditions have been found to respond to qigong, according to the Qigong Institute in Los Altos, California. It lowers the death rate among stroke survivors. Qigong increases heart function in people with heart-energy deficiency. It balances sex hormones after menopause, increases bone density, increases blood flow to the brain and decreases the symptoms of senility. In short, qigong, which can foster health for people of all ages, is especially good in addressing diseases associated with aging.

Qigong and Mental Health

Qigong also has benefits for mental health. A team at Hong Kong Polytechnic University looked at geriatric subjects with depression. After 16 weeks of practice, subjects showed improvements in mood, self-efficacy and self-concept. Another study in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine reported positive effects on stress. Researchers found that qigong boosted the level of beta-endorphin in practitioners. Beta-endorphin boosts the immune system, promotes feelings of well-being and decreases stress. The researchers concluded that qigong "affects and plays a role in hormonal regulation related to the maintenance of homeostasis in man."

Qigong and Pain Relief

Another function of beta-endorphin, a neurotransmitter released in the bodies of qigong practitioners, is the reduction of pain. A study in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine on complex regional pain syndrome found that out of 26 patients, 91 percent reported improvement.