Traditional Chinese qigong combines practices of concentration, movement, and meditation to balance the body and mind and regulate the body’s flow of qi, or vital force. While intermediate level qigong is primarily intended to enhance well-being and balance, basic level qigong is a medical therapeutic practice intended to have a preventive as well as curative effect on chronic as well as acute illnesses. Although the value of Qi Gong in Germany is not that of a separate medical discipline, clinical studies have now confirmed the curative effects of the practices on blood pressure, psychological problems, and heart and lung dysfunction.
What is qigong?
Traditional Chinese Qi Gong combines practices of concentration, exercise and meditation to balance the body and mind. Qi Gong is a traditional Chinese practice with elements of concentration, movement, and meditation designed to harmonize the body and mind to enhance personal well-being. In addition to breathing exercises and movement exercises, Qi Gong follows meditative concentration exercises designed to regulate the flow of Qi in the body. Qi is synonymous with the vital body force and is especially associated with healing effects. The Zhuangzi already hints at individual forms of qigong, but various silk paintings of the Han dynasty also show qigong practitioners. The Daoist Xu Xun first used the term qigong in the Jin period, associating it with martial arts exercises. Qi Gong practices have thus served as health care within China since time immemorial. This health care was especially in Daoism and Buddhism with religious and spiritual rituals in combination and pursued especially within monastic communities. In the 1950s, the physician Liu Guizhen coined the term Qi Gong for special health exercises. He used the traditional techniques to stabilize the body’s energy balance and in this way to fight diseases. Qi Gong practices for the medical field are also called basic level Qi Gong, while those of the intermediate level are intended to promote the general balance of the person.
Function, effect and goals
The practices from the basic level of qigong can be used to combat various diseases. A total of about 60,000 different exercises are now available. Both against asthma, as well as rheumatism, cancer and complaints of menopause or multiple sclerosis can find Qi Gong so use. The exercises unfold their effect especially when they are performed regularly. The basic principle of all exercises and practices is the purification and regulation of mind and body, which is to be made possible by special sequences of movements and is considered in traditional Chinese medicine as a solid basis for any kind of healing. Although the general effectiveness of the practices against most individual diseases remains controversial to this day, there is now at least agreement on the relaxing effects of qigong. Modern medicine also knows that psychological and physical stress aggravates many illnesses or even causes illness. In this context, Qi Gong is used preventively as well as curatively for chronic, but also acute disease states. Walking exercises and massages are as much a part of the traditional practices of Qi Gong as are entire sequences of movements and figures. Practices such as “heart walking”, “lung walking” or “kidney walking” are designed to drain pathological Qi from the respective organ systems. In the same scheme there are lung, heart or kidney massages, but also liver massages and stomach massages. These and similar massage exercises are particularly associated with a harmonizing effect. The figures with the Qi Gong staff are also very popular. These are entire exercise sequences that are performed with a wooden round stick and are said to have regulating properties. An equally popular sub-form of Qi Gong is Yun Hua Gong, which is one of the oldest forms of Qi Gong therapy and is supposed to maintain Qi as well as transform and drain it. Yun Hau Gong is divided into three basic exercises, which are intended for general health care as well as for the treatment of serious diseases.In addition to back and joint pain, Qi Gong is used today especially against chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, circulatory and blood pressure disorders, digestive problems as well as metabolic disorders and headaches. The practices are also currently used to support the immune system, improve coordination after accidents or strokes, and regulate depression, restlessness or sleep disorders.
Risks, dangers and special features
Although Qi Gong is a recognized, medical practice in China, in Western countries and especially in Germany it is rather understood as a relaxation practice and at best an alternative medical procedure. However, clinical studies have confirmed healing effects in some contexts. For example, according to one study, Qi Gong has been able to reduce depression in women undergoing radiation therapy. For this reason, the German Cancer Aid recommends the practice today, for example, as an accompanying therapy to conventional chemotherapy. More than 20 clinical studies have also confirmed the positive effect of the exercises on blood values. For example, an increased number of lymphocytes and a reduction in cholesterol have been observed in practicing study participants. An increase in the heartbeat volume as well as a systolic and diastolic blood pressure reduction have now also been proven by clinical studies. With regard to pulmonary function, expiratory vital capacity and expiratory one-second capacity were observed. The decisive factor for these effects is said to be the stress-reducing effect of the traditional Chinese practice, which influences the nervous system as well as the endocrine system and the immune system. The practice is not associated with any risks or side effects for the practitioner.
