03/13/2019 / By Michelle Simmons
Poor posture is one of the common causes of neck pain. Hunching over your desk for hours strains your muscles in the neck, which results in pain. Researchers from the U.S. recommend qigong, pronounced as “chee-kong,” as a natural way to treat neck pain.
Similar to other forms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), qigong, which is a form of exercise-related activity, is based on the principle of harmonizing the opposite energies of Yin and Yang and regulating the balance of qi, “vital energy,” in the body to promote and maintain health and well-being.
The practice of qigong dates back over 2,000 years. There are many forms of qigong, and most of them use a combination of breathing exercises, gentle movement, visualization, and mental focus. Today, many people practice this form of exercise to improve physical health and psycho-spiritual wellness. It is popular in older people because most qigong forms are light and gentle and can be practiced by people who are generally weak or frail.
For the study, the U.S. researchers looked at the effects of qigong in people with neck pain, which is a common musculoskeletal condition. To do this, they gathered studies published from January 2000 to September 2017 on qigong and neck pain. A total of five studies passed the criteria and were included in the review.
Four out of five included studies reported that qigong had a significant effect on neck-related disability or pain. However, it was not generally more effective than other exercise therapies.
Published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, the findings of this systematic review indicate that qigong may be an effective natural therapy for neck pain.
Qigong is not only good for relieving neck pain. It has other benefits on both mental and physical health. Here are some of them:
Read more news stories and studies on qigong and other traditional Chinese healing practices by going to ChineseMedicine.news.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: alternative medicine, Chinese medicine, exercise, fitness, natural cures, natural medicine, natural treatment, neck pain, pain relief, qigong, remedies, slender, TCM, therapy