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Bone Health
Published in Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau, Beyond Menopause, 2023
Carolyn Torkelson, Catherine Marienau
Qigong and Tai Chi are both ancient Chinese traditions that involve a series of slow, graceful body movements with deep breathing. They are known for their ability to improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength, and to reduce the risk of falls. These practices were developed as meditative movements rather than to increase heart rates or burn calories. Because they are low impact and put minimal stress on muscles and joints, they are safe for all ages and fitness levels.
Stress Management and Meditation
Published in Mehwish Iqbal, Complementary and Alternative Medicinal Approaches for Enhancing Immunity, 2023
While in a number of traditions, qigong is merely a practice of meditation, it is greatly recognised for the exercises devised by practitioners of the ancient Chinese practice of martial arts. Currently, qigong has been the centre of attention for reports regarding its relationship with the symptomatic alleviation of cancer and other ailments, and this is the feature of the method that is more commonly identified (Lei et al., 1991; Sancier, 1999; Wu et al., 1999). China has set up ‘hospitals' since the 1950s particularly for the management of disorders by qigong. Specific energy treatments, also known as biofield treatments, i.e. healing touch, qigong, therapeutic touch and Reiki, have revealed beneficial effects in minimising anxiety, pain and stress; expediting the process of healing; and encouraging a considerable sense of wellbeing (Monroe, 2009; Wardell & Weymouth, 2004; Zolfaghari et al., 2012)
Yangsheng in the twenty-first century
Published in Vivienne Lo, Michael Stanley-Baker, Dolly Yang, Routledge Handbook of Chinese Medicine, 2022
Qigong picks up on the use of qi in therapeutic exercise and transforms it into a psycho-medical or meditative practice for health and well-being, physical and spiritual. Though its enthusiasts claim for it an ancient pedigree, it is in fact a twentieth-century invention, which shares elements of its history with Taijiquan (and indeed the broader umbrella category of yangsheng), daoyin 導引 (lit. ‘leading and guiding’, the oldest recorded style of therapeutic exercise), Chinese Medicine and neidan 內丹 (inner alchemy, cultivating the elixir within the alchemist’s person) (Chapters 2, 6 and 30 in this volume). The definitive history of its twentieth-century emanation was written by David Palmer in his 2007 book Qigong Fever. The ‘fever’ in question is the wild upsurge in popularity that qigong practice enjoyed in China in the 1980s and 1990s. This ran in tandem with Deng Xiaoping’s 鄧小平economic and political reforms from 1979 of the period of ‘reform and opening up’ (gaige kaifang 改革開放); in the wake of the years of traumatic repression inflicted by Mao’s Cultural Revolution (1966–76).
Rehabilitation of patients with COVID-19
Published in Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 2020
Tiantian Sun, Liyun Guo, Fei Tian, Tiantian Dai, Xiaohong Xing, Junqing Zhao, Qiang Li
For mild and moderate signs and symptoms in patients with COVID-19, where there are no contraindications and after professional evaluation, patients can perform breathing guidance exercises and qigong (Baduanjin, simplified Tai Chi, and Liu Zi Jue exercises) [39]. Qigong is a training method that combines sports training, breathing training, and psychological support, which involves a conscious control of one’s breathing to enhance lung function and strengthen muscles through movement of the limbs and trunk. Through meditation, the mind is induced into a relaxed, calm state [49]. Potential mechanisms of action involved with these techniques are considered to bring about a reduction in psychological stress and enhance emotional management through increasing β-endorphin levels and lowering adrenocortical hormone levels [50] and to strengthen recovery of respiratory muscle function, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune function. Although there have been few studies concerning TCM interventions in rehabilitation in the acute respiratory distress infection phase, the results of limited research have shown that Baduanjin, simplified Taijiquan, and Liu Zi Jue exercises can shorten infection duration [51]. Patients requiring isolation at home can contact medical staff through remote mobile devices for rehabilitation training [52–56].
The effectiveness of general physical exercise for individuals with chronic neck pain: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Published in European Journal of Physiotherapy, 2020
Rutger M. J. de Zoete, Lauren Brown, Katie Oliveira, Liam Penglaze, Rachelle Rex, Bronte Sawtell, Tegan Sullivan
Tai Chi and Qigong share characteristics of soft, whole-body movements with a focus on relaxation, posture and breathing. Three papers investigated the effects of Tai Chi on pain and disability for chronic neck pain. Von Trott et al. [41] found no significant differences between a Qigong intervention and a waitlist control, whereas Lauche et al. [39] found Tai Chi to be significantly more effective in improving pain intensity and neck disability up to six months post-intervention. However, compared to neck-specific exercises for which similar improvements were found, Lauche et al. [39] concluded that Tai Chi was not more effective. These findings were further supported by Lansinger et al. [42], who found no differences in improvements in pain intensity and neck disability between a Qigong intervention and an intervention consisting of neck-specific exercises. Tai Chi and Qigong may clinically be no more effective than usual care but appear to be, at least, as effective as usual care. Methodological quality of two studies reporting Tai Chi and Qigong was low [41,42] and this has to be taken in consideration in the interpretation of these findings.
Qigong programme among community-dwelling older adults at risk of depression: A randomised controlled study
Published in Cogent Medicine, 2020
Phenphop Phansuea, Sookjaroen Tangwongchai, Thanapoom Rattananupong, Vitool Lohsoonthorn, Somrat Lertmaharit
Many previous studies have demonstrated reductions in depressive symptoms through participating in exercise (Blumenthal, Smith, & Hoffman, 2012; Craft & Perna, 2004; Schuch et al., 2016). Qigong, an ancient mind-body healing technique that originated in China, involves sequences of ongoing movements with variation in mental focus, coordination, breathing, relaxation, and meditation training (Larkey, Jahnke, Etnier, & Gonzalez, 2009). Qigong is often used for health purposes and has also been ratified as safe for a wide variety of users including older adults with chronic health conditions such as psychological well-being, cognitive function (Marks, 2017), balance, neuromuscular conditions (Haak & Scott, 2008) and coronary artery disease (Hung, Yeh, & Chen, 2016). Few adverse events have been reported in the literature (Birdee, Wayne, Davis, Phillips, & Yeh, 2009; Chen & Yeung, 2002) with evidence-based channels improving health-related quality of life for older adults through feasible social intervention (Chan, Yu, & Choi, 2017). Randomised controlled trials suggested that Qigong is effective in decreasing depressive symptoms, stress, anxiety, and mood disturbances. The therapy is readily available at little cost to a substantial proportion of the population but prevention studies appraising the Qigong technique are limited (Abbott & Lavretsky, 2013; Liu et al., 2015; Zeng, Luo, Xie, Huang, & Cheng, 2014).