[Review of centennial development of Qigong].

The history of development of Qigong in China in the past century could be divided into five stages: the stagnation stage in the Republic of China period, the rapid development stage before the Cultural Revolution, the low-ebb stage during the Cultural Revolution period, the uneven development period of the last 20 years of the 20(th) century and the 'strengthening the merits and eliminating the weaknesses' period in the 21(st) century. The basic meaning of Qigong is strengthening health, preventing and treating disease by regulating the mind, the breath and the body under the guidance of scientific theory. We should give full recognition towards Qigong but not exaggeration. The popularization, management and research of Qigong should be scientific, reasonable and rigorous.
PMID: 23336275