Curative effects of qigong movements

Most Chinese Qigong exercises for health consist of the following three components: the flowing of movements, the regulating of breathing, and the training of awareness (yi). The polysemous Chinese word Yi (Chinese character) is fully explained before the author discusses the advantage of starting a Qigong training program with perceptible physical movements.

The main features of Chinese therapeutic Qigong movements with their rotational and spiral forms, smooth and gentle rhythms, and neuromuscular coordinating functions, are thoroughly discussed in this paper.

The remarkable curative effects of Qigong movements are first expounded through the Inner Organ theory, the mainstay of the Chinese traditional medicine, which postulates that every physical disease and mental illness can find its root in the malfunctioning of one or several specific organs. The concept of meridian 'line' or groups of meridian 'lines' ( such as Shou-san-yin, etc.), as used in Qigong training, is compared with the concept of meridian 'points', as used in acupuncture practice. The paper also explores how the therapeutic Qigong movements affect, among other systems, the autonomic nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system.

Several case studies, ranging from patients suffering from knee injury, migraine headache, high blood pressure, arthritis, stroke, to severe depression, are briefed in this paper.