A natural cure for joint pain (and more!)
A few weeks ago in a House Call, I talked about tai chi chih—an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that can boost your immune system.
Qigong (pronounced as “chee kung”) is the overall term that is used for the energy-based practices that include Tai chi. Practitioners of qigong are part of a growing trend in which folks are looking for total wellness—not just big biceps a la Arnold Schwarzenegger.
And research is beginning to catch up on this stuff, providing more evidence that mind-body practices have such far-reaching health benefits as relaxation, easy movement, and stress relief.
It’s easy on the joints, so anyone can do it—regardless of fitness level. In fact, it can even alleviate any joint pain that you’ve been feeling.
Then there’s the anecdotal evidence. Relief for muscle aches and pains, improved breathing by deepening one’s breath, and increases in energy levels are just some of the benefits reported by folks who practice it.
Some practitioners say that it has eased their rheumatoid arthritis, given them a greater sense of peace and fulfillment—and has even provided them with better sleep.
The best part? You don’t need any special equipment, so you can’t use the “I don’t have the proper shoes” or “I need a new exercise outfit” excuse. You can do it in your birthday suit (though it’s probably a good idea to draw the shades first) as you work to meld your mind and body!
Qigong is a series of slow movements with an emphasis on breathing in tune with those movements. Your interior biological mechanisms are targeted in this wellness practice as opposed to a sweat-inducing and muscle-building workout. By focusing on coordinating slow movements with breathing, you fall into a meditative-style state. This will also alleviate any inner feeling of stress and help you to feel mellower. For a listing of local Qigong teachers and therapists, go to www.qigonginstitute.org and check the directory—which gives a breakdown by state.
