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Other common
name(s): chi kung
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Qigong is a Chinese system designed to enhance the natural
flow of vital energy called qi or ch'i, pronounced "kee" or "chee," in
the body. The process of working toward a regulated, smooth flow of qi
is called "gong" (pronounced "kung").
Overview
Qigong can involve meditation, breathing, and movement.
Available scientific evidence does not show that qigong is effective in
treating cancer or any other disease; however, it may be useful to
enhance quality of life.
How is it promoted for use?
People who practice qigong believe disease, injury, and stress
can disrupt the vital energy or life force (gi) of the body. By
correcting these problems, people can lead healthier, less stressful
lives. Qigong is said to strengthen the body or to enhance other
conventional health care treatments, not to cure existing disease.
Practitioners claim it may be helpful in managing pain and reducing
anxiety. There is some limited evidence for these claims.
Some promoters also claim that qigong can help to prevent
cancer by improving the oxygen supply to the body and regulating the
autonomic nervous system. They further claim qigong can be used to
treat stroke, heart and other circulatory diseases, abnormal sex
hormone levels, low bone density, and senility. Some even claim they
can cure a person with the energy released from their fingertips using
external qigong.
What does it involve?
The goal of qigong is to help the flow of energy through the
body. There are two forms of qigong: internal and external. Internal
qigong consists mainly of meditation, physical movement, and breathing
exercises that people can do on their own. External qigong involves
skilled masters who claim to use their own qi to help heal other
people. The qigong master does not have to touch a person in order to
promote healing.
A typical qigong session might have a person sit or stand
quietly while thinking about the qi flowing through his or her body and
doing breathing and movement exercises at the same time. The breathing
and movement used in qigong is slow, focused, and controlled. Qigong
can also be used to target specific areas of the body where problems
may exist.
Hospitals in China include qigong as part of their health care
programs. Only in rural China is it practiced without conventional
health care. In the United State, qigong classes are offered for
various fees at health clubs, schools, hospitals, YMCAs, and community
fitness facilities as part of adult education programs. There are also
a number of "qigong institutes" that charge a small fee for classes.
Qigong is also taught through videotapes or DVDs and printed materials.
In addition to the type of qigong used for healing, there are
two other forms: spiritual qigong, which is used for self-awareness,
and martial arts qigong, which is used for self-defense (see our
document, Tai Chi).
What is the history behind it?
Qigong is a form of traditional Chinese medicine based on the
theory of yin and yang, which asserts that there are two opposing but
complementary forces in all nonstatic objects and processes. People in
China have been practicing qigong for at least 7,000 years to maintain
health and achieve long life. Originally, the ancient Chinese realized
that certain body movements and mental concentration could adjust and
enhance body functions. Qigong techniques even became part of religious
rituals.
Over the past few centuries, qigong slowly separated from
religious beliefs, and a more conventional form was developed in the
1970s. In the early 1980s, Chinese scientists began scientific
investigations of qigong. Hundreds of medical applications were
subsequently published in Chinese literature, but many studies only
involved a few patients and did not use well-controlled scientific
methods. By the 1990s, the Chinese government began to manage qigong
and made it an official part of the Chinese health plan.
Today, qigong is widely practiced and studied in China. In the
United States, it is used as a form of relaxation and meditation in
some health clubs and fitness centers.
What is the evidence?
Whereas some scientists believe that internal qigong may be
useful as a form of exercise to help relieve stress, improve
coordination, and generally improve a person's quality of life, the
idea that qigong can cure cancer is not supported by high-quality
clinical trials.
One study published in the United States found that for people
with chronic pain, training in internal qigong resulted in a short-term
reduction of pain and a long-term reduction in anxiety. However, this
was a small study involving only twenty-six patients. A Hong Kong study
of people with high blood pressure showed that after twelve weeks of
qigong, blood pressure and cholesterol levels were lower. Another study
in Korea showed similar effects on blood pressure, as well as reduced
levels of cortisol (stress hormones). A nonrandomized clinical study
from Taiwan reported less psychological distress among chemotherapy
patients using qigong. More well-controlled clinical research using
larger groups of patients is needed to learn what effect qigong may
have in treating various medical conditions.
A review of animal research studies in China reported that
external qigong slowed the growth of tumors in mice. Another study
found that it did not help reduce signs of pain in rats. Scientific
studies of external qigong's effects on humans have not been promising
so far.
Are there any problems or complications?
Qigong is generally considered safe because of the slow,
deliberate movements involved. People who are prone to muscle aches and
joint pain may notice these problems if movement or effort is overdone.
A small number of people may become disoriented or anxious and
experience some negative feelings.
Relying on this type of treatment alone and avoiding or
delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health
consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Barrett S. Be wary of acupuncture, Qigong, and "Chinese
medicine." Quackwatch Web site. Accessed at
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/acu.html on May 23,
2008.
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook: The Complete Reference Guide to
Alternative and Complementary Therapies. New York, NY:
W.W. Norton; 1998.
Eisenberg DM, Kessler RC, Foster C, Norlock FE, Calkins DR,
Delbanco TL. Unconventional medicine in the United States. Prevalence,
costs, and patterns of use. N
Engl J Med. 1993;328:246-252.
Lee MS, Lee MS, Choi ES, Chung HT. Effects of Qigong on blood
pressure, blood pressure determinants, and ventilatory function in
middle-aged patients with essential hypertension. Am J Chin Med.
2003;31:489-497.
Lee MS, Lee MS, Kim HJ, Choi ES. Effects of qigong on blood
pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and other lipid levels
in essential hypertension patients. Int J Neurosci.
2004;114:777-786.
Lee MS, Chen KW Sancier KM, Ernst E. Qigong for cancer
treatment: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Acta Oncol.
2007;46:717-722.
Lee TI, Chen HH, Yeh ML. Effects of chan-chuang qigong on
improving symptom and psychological distress in chemotherapy patients. Am J Chin Med.
2006;34:37-46.
Qi Gong. Aetna InteliHealth Web site. Accessed at
http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH?d=dmtContent&c=358864 on
May 23, 2008.
Sancier KM. Medical applications of qigong. Altern Ther Health Med.
1996;2:40-46.
Wu WH, Bandilla E, Ciccone DS, Yang J, Cheng SC, Carner N, Wu
Y, Shen R. Effects of qigong on late-stage complex regional pain
syndrome. Altern Ther
Health Med. 1999;5:45-54.
Zhang WB, Yu WL, Yang YJ. Absence of an analgesic effect of
qigong "external qi" in rats. Am
J Chin Med. 1998;26:39-46.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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