The effects of qigong on health promotion and disease healing have been proven by millions of people in thousands of years. Recent scientific studies have also demonstrated that qigong can benefit different systems in the human body.
For example, voluntary abdominal breathing (VAB) is an important part of Qigong practice. Studies have found that those who practiced VAB had a feeling of increased energy with reduced anxiety during and after the training. Qigong is beneficial for the health of nervous system. It can help one keep energetic with a more stable emotion. The electroencephalograph (EEG) studies have indicated that when qigong practice reaches a certain state, theta rhythm is shown. This feature is one of the normal EEG patterns during mental concentration.
In addition, the fluctuation of the peak amplitude in EEG is reduced during qigong practice. It has also been found that the EEG stability is enhanced and the ordering degree is improved. In the mean time, the rhythm of the frontal region of the brain is strengthened. Furthermore, responses to sensational stimulation are reduced during qigong practice.
In the process of qigong practice, the skin electrical potential of some acupuncture points is reduced. At the same time, the temperature rises at “Dantian (Elixir Field)” and some other regions of the body surface. When the tranquilization state is reached, the heart rate slows down. However, the volume of the ear lobe blood vessels increases. There is a negative correlation between the heart rate and the volume of the ear lobe blood vessels. In addition, the relaxation degree of the skeletal muscle is increased.
Qigong practice can increase the peristaltic frequency of the stomach and intestines. It can strengthen the contraction of these organs, and increase the secretion of gastric juice. During qigong training, the deep abdominal breathing can increase the diaphragmatic movement by three to four times.
Qigong can lower the blood pressure in hypertension patients. On the other hand, qigong practice can help raise the blood pressure in hypotension patients. For hypertension patients, qigong can reduce the peripheral resistance, and reduce the heart rate and blood pressure. It has opposite effects on hypotension patients. During qigong practice, the metabolic rate is lower than basal metabolic rate.
Qigong can help regulate the mind and body through benefiting internal organs, removing toxins, and enhancing the immune function. Recent studies have demonstrated that qigong can relieve chronic pain, reduce stress, enhance cardiopulmonary function, improve eyesight, and influence the index of blood biochemistry.
