Qigong: History, Healing and Benefits

Definition ↓   Ι   Efficacy ↓

It is tied to meditation, exercise, martial arts, and energy healing. It is quite similar to tai chi, but it has more sitting positions and focuses more on combining breathing and movement, much like in yoga. Some also think of it as a form of external energy healing. It gets lumped together with other healing techniques such as reiki and chakra healing because of its basis in the belief that all living things have a vital energy system flowing through them (although, the nuances of qigong do differ from the other seeming similar practices) and the practice ultimately focuses on methods of increasing ones life-force.

The third, and for the purpose of this article, most important is medical qigong. It is based upon much of the same ideas as acupuncture, herbal treatments, and Chinese massage. Medical qigong in itself can be divided into two broad categories, internal and external.

It is very important for healers to maintain a regular qigong practice. It believed that the quality of the healing is directly related to the health of the healer. It is also encouraged that healers have a deep knowledge of the theories and practices of other forms of Chinese medicine, because many of the concepts are interrelated. However, due to this being a generally intuitive practice, focusing too much on the theory can be at a detriment to the quality of the healing.

Much like in other forms of energy healing, the general belief system is similar. Namely, that various things can cause imbalances in our energy systems. Among the causes are trauma, negative emotionality, intense stress, depression, accidents, poor diet, insufficient exercise, and a generally poor health. These imbalances can manifest itself as a series of ailments. The idea is that our energy fields should be freely flowing without blockages and a qigong practice, both internal and external can help with this.

Some studies have suggested that Qigong may help with mental stress. However, this is more in the context of how an overall increase in physical activity helps in these areas. There has been little study on how Qigong specifically may help in this area. More promising are the studies that show that it may have a positive effect on improving the quality of life of the elderly, both for sufferers of chronic illness and the healthy.

Research has shown that the mind-body intervention of qigong and tai chi, through its meditative movements and breathing techniques, has a positive effect on the physical functioning of older people. For example, a six-month Tai Chi program has been shown to be effective in improving the functional status of healthy, physically inactive older adults. Importantly, as a self-paced, self-controlled activity, Tai Chi can be an inexpensive and effective way to improve physical fitness in older people. One benefit not to be underestimated is that those who practice tai chi are less likely to fall, a common cause of serious injury in the elderly.

A meta analysis of ten studies in 2011 found little evidence to suggest that Qigong is helpful in conditions ranging from cancer, to diabetes, Parkinson’s, and chronic pain. However, the writers could neither disregard the inconclusive results nor accept the positive results because of a list of criticisms on the experiment design. They seem to think, however, that more study in this area may be necessary.

A Korean study demonstrated that practicing Qi Gong resulted in a reduction in heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. An Indian study yielded comparable findings, while a Hong Kong and an Italian study also highlighted the favorable effects of Qi Gong on blood pressure and quality of life. However, many of these studies have employed small sample sizes and that long-term effects have not always been adequately investigated.

Given that meditation and breathing exercises make up a large part of the belief system and practice of qigong, it can be easily argued that a regular practice can promote a state of relaxation. Studies have linked meditation to health and anything that can promote relaxation and stress-relief can ultimately be seen as beneficial to one’s health.

The general ideas espoused by energy healers has been scrutinized by many studies. Simply put, there is scant evidence that a vital energy does, in fact, exist. This is not to say that energy healing has no benefit at all. Various studies have shown that energy healing, even as a mere placebo does have the ability to heal some ailments, namely in pain reduction. In addition to this, the rich philosophy of this method of healing may actually increase its effects, despite the lack of proof that it is the underlying reason it works.The positive results may also be the result of relaxation, increased physical activity, or group support, rather than necessarily due to Qi Gong itself.

There does not seem to be many studies that have compared the healing abilities of qigong to other forms of energy healing. So it cannot be ascertained as to whether qigong has a significantly greater ability to heal than reiki, pranic healing, or any other form of energy manipulation. This remains an interesting area of future study for researchers of this topic.

Although the practice of Qi Gong can complement traditional medical treatments, it must be emphasized that it is not a substitute for them. Individuals with serious cardiovascular problems should consult their physician before beginning any alternative treatment. The effects of Qi Gong and similar exercises may vary from person to person.

Updated: July 23, 2024. – This article was originally published on February 1, 2021.

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