Qigong Practice Aids Fibromyalgia Patients

Mind-Body-Spirit News:

The regular practice of qigong may help people with fibromyalgia, according to a pilot study conducted by researchers from Dalhousie University and the University of New Brunswick in Canada and presented at the Canadian Pain Conference in Victoria, British Columbia on May 29. Participants reported significant reductions in pain, and improvements in physical health and well-being. The investigative team included IDEA member and qigong teacher Dana Marcon, who is both a personal trainer and a medical exercise specialist.

Only 12 participants completed the study, which included the practice of qigong for 45 minutes per day over a 6-month period. After 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, patients reported pain intensity, any adverse events that had occurred and other information related to the impact of fibromyalgia on their lives. The style of qigong that was practiced was CFQ qigong, which focuses on optimizing the flow of qi—or life energy—throughout the body to encourage healing. There was no control group.

The researchers recommended more and larger controlled studies of CFQ qigong as a method of helping patients suffering from fibromyalgia. For more information about CFQ qigong, go to www3.nbnet.nb/cfq.