Qigong is a Chinese meditation and exercise practice that uses martial arts motions to develop the body and mind, much like the better known practice of tai chi. Also like tai chi, qigong is a low-impact exercise that has become popular among seniors, the disabled and people recovering from injuries. Despite its overall low-impact nature and safety, qigong—like all forms of exercise—carries with it some risks and dangers.
Falling
Some qigong postures include spending long periods standing on a single foot. For people with balance problems or vertigo, this can mean an unacceptable risk of falling. For seniors especially, the risk of serious injury from a simple fall can outweigh the benefits of qigong practice.
Reinjury
Qigong movements push the joints through their full range of motion and engage most of the muscles in the body. For people with injured joints or muscles, this can push the injury past the point of rehabilitation and into the realm of harming the injured area. Tai chi instructor Dr. Keith Jeffery says that, although physical therapists often recommend qigong for recovering patients, all patients should consult their doctor or physical therapist before beginning qigong.
Knee Problems
According to martial arts instructor Dave Coffman, traditional Chinese martial arts poses are pigeon-toed. This means you stand with your toes pointed slightly inward. Qigong is no exception. Standing with toes inward can put significant stress on the knees, leading over time to knee pain and loss of mobility. Instructor Jeffery points out that many modern tai chi and qigong schools have adjusted their postures to include less stressful foot positions.
Placebo Effect
An Internet search for the benefits of qigong will bring up a long list that includes many valid claims, such as increased energy, better flexibility and stress relief. However, tai chi teacher Kerry Collette notes that some teachers claim that qigong can cure migraine headaches, liver problems and even cancer. No clinical research supports such claims. At best, qigong does nothing for major medical problems. At worst, it takes away resources that could be put to use on proven therapy for the patient's condition.
Dim Mak
The concept of chi, or life energy, is central to practicing qigong. Qigong postures use breathing and visualization to manipulate chi. Traditionalists think of chi as an active, responsive entity, much like George Lucas's "The Force." Dim mak, or black chi, is the use of chi to do harm to yourself or others. Some teachers, such as Dave Coffman of Hillsboro, Oregon, warn students against self-study or studying with people who take chi less seriously, in case they accidentally access dim mak.
References
- Dave Coffman, Martial Arts School Owner, Bushido Martial Arts, Hillsboro, Oregon
- "Easy Tai Chi"; Keith Jeffery; 2006
- "The Ancient Art of Life and Death: The Complete Book of Dim-Mak"; Bauer & Walker; 2002
- Kerry Collette, Tai Chi Instructor, Hillsboro, OR
Member Comments
runestone0 July 10
Qigong?standing post meditation?helped me survive four bouts of supposedly terminal lymphoma cancer in the early nineties. It calmed my mind, energized my body, and empowered my will to withstand the high-dose chemo of two bone marrow transplants. Oncologists believed the cancer would relapse until it killed me. Clear 14 years and still practicing qigong daily!
Bob Ellal
Author, ?By These Things Men Live: Chronicles of a Four-Time Cancer Survivor?
archerytom December 30
I am trying to find the Tai Chi instructor in Hillsboro Or. Their name is Kerry Colette. Everything I have tried points me to here so hopefully someone can point me to that person.