Study on Qi Gong Treatments
- Study on the Anti-Aging Effect of Neidan Qigong in Hypertension
- Study on Patting Qigong for the Prevention of Thrombosis
- Study on the “Regulation of Heart” in Daoism Qigong
- Study on “Kidney-Based Treatment” in Daoism Qigong
Study on the Anti-Aging Effect of Neidan Qigong in Hypertension
Hypertension is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly, and it has been seriously threatened the people’s health in mind and body. TCM thinks that hypertension falls into the category of “liver yang” and “liver fire”, and its pathogenesis is excess in the upper and deficiency in the lower body with kidney deficiency as the root condition. Therefore, nourishing the kidney yin below and reducing upsurge of liver yang are taken as the principle of treatment. TCM holds that the aging of body is related with the onset and development of diseases, and imbalance of yin and yang, disharmony of qi and blood, consumption of essence, qi and blood, especially, kidney deficiency may lead to early aging, kidney is the congenital foundation of the body. According to TCM’s theory “Kidney dominates the bone”, we have applied modern test data, mineral content in bone, urinary estradiol in 24 hours, testosterone to measure the effect of Neidan Qigong to delay aging in hypertension.
In study, we selected 38 hypertension cases with kidney deficiency in light of TCM differentiation, and some healthy people to control. The result of study indicted that though the comparison of blood pressure one year before and after the qigong exercise, kidney deficiency is markedly improved, the comparison of mineral content of bone in different sex is increased from 0.624±0.039 to 0.692±0.079, and there is much difference through statistical process. In the first group: with 50-59 years old (20 cases) before qigong exercise it is 0.627±0.040, which is less compared with 0.695±0.096 in the control group of normal male (20 cases), P<0.05. after one year of qigong exercise, the condense of bone increases to 0.696±0.069, through statistical process, P<0.01, it is much different. In the second group: with 60-69 years old (18 cases) before qigong exercise it is 0.621±0.039, which is no much difference compared with the control group, but one year after the exercise, the condense of bone increases to 0.672±0.083, through statistical process, P<0.05, there is much difference. Meanwhile, 24-hour urine(E2) and (E2/T) changes from 3.269±1.294 before the exercise to 2.226±0.829; changes from 2.972±1.530 before to 1.357±0.553 after qigong exercise, through statistical process, P<0.01, there is much different. TCM holds that the kidney dominates bone, produces marrow to strengthen the bone and teeth, fills up the brain, growing the hair, and helps one with enough energy. This study found out that after 40 years old, it is better to take exercise in order to inhibit the loss of bone. On the one hand, aging needs to be inhibited from the root, on the other hand, it is further discovered that there is interior relationship between the change of environment and kidney deficiency.
This study indicated that Neidan Qigong is a kind of maneuver characterized by changing essence into qi, changing qi into spirit, and it functions to reinforce essence and kidney qi. So, prolonged exercise is really an effective method to enhance the anti-aging ability.
Study on Patting Qigong for the Prevention of Thrombosis
In recent years, the morbidity rate of cardiovascular and cerebral vascular diseases has kept rapid growth in China, and they have become one of the major reasons for the mortality in the population. Therefore, Beijing International Teaching Center and several other medical institutions cooperated to conduct the study on patting qigong for the prevention of thrombosis.
I. Experimental methods:
- (I) Selection of cases: 47 healthy middle-aged and elderly, 185 patients with hyperlipemia (including sequela of cerebral thrombosis, diabetes). Hyperlipemia patients were divided randomly into patting qigong group with 105 cases and control group with 80 cases. The healthy cases belonged into patting qigong group.
- (II) In all of cases, the fasting blood in the vein at the elbow were got in the early morning before the experiment and 3 months later when the experiment stopped (it is advisable to take low fat diet within 3 days before the bloodletting in case that the test were affected), the test included:
- RIA method: GMP-140, TXB2, 6-K-PGF1α
- Fluorescent polarization for red cell membrane flow: fluorescent Polarization (P), micro viscosityり.
- Enzyme method: TG< CHG, HDL.
In order to keep consistency, (1. test) the sample was kept in the refrigerator with -40℃. After the experiment stopped, the sample was got and tested at the same time.
- (III) Patting qigong group, under the guidance, practiced patting qigong 40 minutes in the morning and in the evening everyday for 3 months.
The control group took , 2 tablets each time, 3 times a day, for 3 months.
II Result of Experiment
- Patting qigong group: GMP-140, before qigong exercise 18.53±3.78ng/ml, after qigong exercise13.04±2.59ng/ml which decreased than before the experiment (P<0.01); control group: before 20.41±9.31ng/ml, after 19.52±8.76ng/ml, there was no much changes (P>0.05).
- Patting qigong group: TXB2 before 124.45±32.68pg/ml, after 81.83±25.73pg/ml, which decreased than before the experiment (P<0.01); 6-K-PGF1α : before 48.68±16.39pg/ml, after 47.56±16.78pg/ml, there was no much changes (P>0.05); T/K ratio before 3.02±1.25, after 1.97±0.94, decreased (P<0.01). Control group: before qigong exercise TXB2 152.574±37.548pg/ml, 6-K-PGF1α: 44.649±16.012pg/ml, T/K ratio before 3.722±1.242; after TXB2 703.329±379.869pg/ml, 6-K-PGF1α: 83.41±42.105pg/ml, T/K ratio before 8.67±3.756, all increased than that before the qigong exercise (P>0.05).
- Red cell membrane flow: patting qigong group: in healthy people group before the exercise P is 0.276±0.017, after 0.273±0.017 which decreased greatly (P<0.01). りbefore is 3.033±0.475, after is 0.273±0.017 which decreased slightly (P>0.05); in hyperlipemia patients, P before is 0.281±0.023, after is 0.267±0.018; りbefore is 3.22±0.813, after is 2.805±0.45 which decreased obviously (P<0.01); in control group, P is 0.283±0.028, りis 3.337±0.93; P after is 0.297±0.031, りis 3.868±1.283, all showed tendency of increase, but not obviously (P>0.05).
- Blood fat (mmol/L): patting qigong group: in healthy people group TG before the exercise is 1.344±0.358, CH 4.701±0.601, HDL 1.227±0.224; TG after the exercise is 1.097±0.548, CH 4.484±0.751, HDL 1.253±0.312, TG decreased greatly (P<0.001), CH decreased, HDL increased but not obviously (P>0.05). In hyperlipemia group, TG before the exercise is 2.608±0.77, CH 5.115±1.005, HDL 1.086±0.324; TG after the exercise is 1.435±0.656, CH 4.65±0.906, HDL 1.224±0.304, TG and CH decreased greatly (P<0.001), HDL increased obviously (P<0.01). In control group, TG before the exercise is 2.278±2.034, CH 6.5±1.407, HDL 1.232±0.479; TG after the exercise is 1.947±1.103, CH 4.87±1.156, HDL 1.147±0.311, CH decreased greatly (P<0.001), TG and HDL decreased, not obviously (P>0.05).
III Discussion
Α-granular membrane protein (GMP-140) is presented with activation of platelet, which can reflect the activitation condition of platelet specifically and sensitively. Before the formation of thrombosis, GMP-140 increases a lot. After exercise of patting qigong, GMP-140 decreased a lot, this result shows that patting qigong can decrease the activation of platelet, but not seen in control group.
TXA2, a major metabolic product of arachidonic acid among platelet, is a strong substance of constricting the blood vessel, and it can improve the aggregation of platelet and induce the thrombosis. PGI2 is synthesized by venous endothelial phagocyte, is a strong substance of dilating blood vessel and most effective endogenous inhibitor for the aggregation of platelet. Under normal physiological condition, TXA2 and PGI2 in the blood remain balanced to control normal hemostasis and prevent thrombosis. In case that more TXA2 is released by platelet or less PGI2 is produced by venous endothelial phagocyte, TXA2 and PGI2 ratio become bigger, aggregation of platelet and thrombosis may be caused. Through testing TXB2 and 6-K-PGF1α the metabolic production of TXA2 and PGI2, we found that after qigong exercise, TXB2 decreases than before, 6-K-PGF1α does not change, T/K ratio become less, so this result further indicates that patting qigong exercise can effectively inhibit the activation of platelet, correct imbalance of TXA2/PGI2 ratio, and alleviate the condition before thrombosis. In control group, TXB2, 6-K-PGF1α, T/K increase than before the treatment, which represent the aggravation of thrombosis.
The flow of red blood cell membrane is a necessary condition for the maintainence red blood cell’s normal physiological function. The decrease of flow of red blood cell membrane will reduce its distortion, so as to influence the blood circulation, leading to the disturbance of microcirculation and thrombosis. After exercise of patting qigong, P and りdecrease than before exercise, so it shows that patting qigong exercise can strengthen the flow of red blood cell membrane, reduce the blood viscosity, beneficial to the blood circulation and metabolism, and prevent thrombosis. While, there is no such effect in control group.
Hyperlipemia is one of the chief pathological bases for cerebral and cardiovascular diseases. After patting qigong exercise, obvious effect is found, as TG and CH obvious decrease, especially, HDL increases, therefore, it will be better for the prevention of arthroscleroses. In particular, TG and CH can decrease, HDL increase greatly in healthy people after qigong exercise. This indicates that patting qigong exercise not only can treat hyperlipemia, but also can prevent it. However, although CH decreases obviously, the effect is not satisfactory.
Patting qigong exercise is a traditional health and medical care method in China. An overall view of this study shows that patting qigong exercise, though raising the flow of red blood cell membrane, can adjust venous endothelium cell function, inhibit activation of platelet, and enhance the fat metabolism to prevent thrombosis. This is new economic, safe and easy method for self rehabilitation for the preformation of thrombosis, meanwhile, it provides molecular evidence of blood for the improvement of microcirculation, and the concentration, viscosity and aggregation of blood, and scientific evidence of patting qigong to eliminate diseases and keep health.
Study on the “Regulation of Heart” in Daoism Qigong
Undoubtedly, Daoism qigong acts to build up the body, benefit rehabilitation, prevent and treat diseases, and prolong the life expectance. An importance has been widely attached on the effect of Daoism qigong to eliminate diseases and strengthen the body. Among the three aspects of regulation (of the body, heart and respiration) in Daoism qigong, regulation of the heart lies in the chief place. So the detailed discovery on the effect of regulation of heart in Daoism qigong and its experimental mechanism is the important content in the study of Daoism qigong.
Regulation of heart in Daoism qigong, focuses on the heart-----the function of brain, which is the key of practicing Daoism qigong.
Regulation of heart---tranquilization in Daoism qigong is helpful for the improvement of circulation in the brain. We have tested the cerebral impedance hemodrogram in 9 primary hypertension patients before and after the qigong treatment. The result showed that after the tranquilization in exercise, the input impedance of cerebral blood circulation lowered, vascular tension constriction decreased, so as to improve the circulation in the brain. We also have test the cerebral a—that indicated tranquilization in exercise acts positively on symmetrically regulating brain and improving the resilience of vessel wall. It is very beneficial for the enhancement of the functional activities of the brain, invigoration of the potential of the brain and the improvement of the functional conditional of the whole body.
Through analyzing “clinical EEG”, α rhyme in EEG is an objective data for the conscious level.
We used multiple data to observe and analyze the physiological change under qigong state generally, and it was found that an increase of α rhyme voltage on the frontal and occipital region in EEG was one of the features; through analyzing power pedigree of EEG in 36 people who practice Neidan qigong, we discovered that α wave in EEG rose sharply in its percentage in the whole power pedigree, besides, α wave’s energy get to enlarge. It is pointed out that an increase of α wave’ index of EEG is widely recognized as a man’s tranquil condition, and it indicates that an increase of α wave surely can reflect the tranquilization of brain during qigong exercise, getting deeper in particular.
Under qigong state, a common feature of cortical self-potential activity is an increase of α wave, slowing down of frequency, reverse of cerebral wave on the frontal and occipital region, as well as synchronism of α wave of whole brain. Let’s take a look at the change of EEG under qigong state, after tranquilization, α wave occurs, even no change with simulation, but the phenomenon won’t exist in rest and sleep. It tells that the cortical state in tranquilization is different from that in rest and sleep. “Medical Qigong” has ever cited the report by Beidaihe Qigong Sanatorium and Biophysics Institute of China Academy of Sciences: the results of two tests of EEG 20 minutes before and after qigong exercise showed that the relative power of frontal and occipital regions with various frequency had no significant change in control group, while the relative power of the frequency of frontal region decreased, and α frequency increased obviously in qigong group, and that of occipital regions had opposite change in sleeping group. Therefore, they think it is not enough to take the drop of eye movement frequncy, respiration, disappearance of cardiac premature throbbing, decrease of cerebral blood flow and enhance of pain threshold as the inhibition of cerebral cortex, or take the rise of EEG power spectrum, more correctness of movement sensitivity, more light reaction, more correctness of calculation in heart within limited time as the excitation of brain in qigong exercise. In fact, qigong exercise can regulate the excitation and inhibition of whole nerve system. Some other scholar thinks that under tranquillization, the cerebral cortex lies in “a clear active interior inhibition with low metabolic state”. The frontal cortex is the highest region with greatest potential, and the sharp rise of α wave in EEG in qigong exercise indicates that under qigong state, frontal cortex and thalamus-pituitary gland are possibly connected, so the qigong practitioner can possibly control his own interior body. The qigong practitioner is able to make impact on the functions of internal organs with active spiritual activities and achieve the result of treating diseases and strengthening the body. Meanwhile, the functional activity information of internal organs and vegetative nerve will enter the frontal cortex in charge of spiritual activity via the center of vegetative nerve-hypothalamus, and thalamus, transform into spirit or modified spirit, manifested as all kinds of mental phenomena in tranquilization. It can be seen that in qigong’s tranquilization process, the mutual action between frontal cortex and thalamus is the mechanism of psychological action of qigong on the physiological functions of nerve.
When the brain enters qigong state, the nerve transmitter and hormone metabolism also show some good changes; adrenal metabolism sharply lowers (by half), serotonin metabolism rises (by 2-3 times); growth hormone and corticoid secretion decrease, lactogenic hormone in the plasma increases, dopamine activity decreases, therefore the protein renewing rate decreases, the nerve cell’s life prolongs.
After Neidan qigong exercise, Et-RFC%, LT% (transformation rate of T lymph cell) and serum lysozyme its activity is non specific immune index of bacteria infection in a certain extent, showing the phagocytosis of phagocyte) all increase than before the exercise, it can be seen that qigong exercise enable the immunity to enhance.
When the body is in the relaxed and tranquil state, the peripheral circulation and microcirculation will be affected. After qigong exercise, 5-HT obviously reduces, as a result, the peripheral vessels will change from constriction to dilation, manifested by improvement of several index of microcirculation, increase of blood flow in the capillary by 15-16 times than usual. Due to dilation of peripheral vessel and increase of blood flow in the capillary, there will be sensation of hotness, qi flow and movement, and distension, that is so called “qi sensation” in qigong. With an increase of blood flow in the capillary, the blood, oxygen and other nutrients carried, and hormone will accordingly increase. This is possibly the reason for many elderly who do qigong exercise have white hair and ruddy complexion, senile plague shallow or disappear. According to the experiment made by an American scholar Dr. SCNSON about the study on the relaxation therapy (relaxation response) and meditation: the psychological activity of human being may result in hypothalamus reactions which are mutually against each other----excitation reaction and relaxation reaction. Excitation reaction is accompanied by strengthening of sympathetic nerve system activity, while relaxation reaction is characterized by persistent decrease of sympathetic nerve system. After relaxation, a series of changes showing the activity decrease of sympathetic nerve system, including oxygen consumption, EEG, EMG, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory frequency and lactate in the artery. The decrease of lactate in the blood is caused by the fact that in tranquilization, the reduced tension of body, the dilation of capillary, improvement of blood circulation, the increase of oxygen in the blood will make the concentration of lactate lower produced by lack of oxygen, then the stress and fatigue can be eliminated. Through observing the biochemical changes in hypertension patients after qigong exercise, we found that qigong exercise will make favorite regulation to the central nerve, vegetative nerve system, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, sexual axis and lipid metabolism, which provide objective evidence for Daoism qigong health preservation, treatment and rehabilitation.
In Daoism qigong, when the mind is concentrated in a certain region, the second signal system will regulate the functional activity of the body. We observed that when the mind was concentrated at Laogong (P8) in Neidan qigong, the flood flow on the corresponding upper limbs would increase distinctively, but that on the lower limbs which was concentrated would decrease. This is what the principle of leading qi with mind, qi flow followed by the blood flow means under the qigong state in qigong master, as a result, the blood flow on the corresponding region would increase, this is the physiological basis for qigong to treat disease and build up the body. During qigong exercise, the blood pressure tends to turn normal, but it will rise with the mind concentrated in the head, go down with the mind concentrated on the food and keep moderate with the mind concentrated at Dantian, meanwhile, the skin temperature on the local area also rose.
We used Pulse Apparatus to test the pulse condition in Neidan qigong, it was also found that when qi flowed to the throat, chest, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, the pulse on Cun, Guan and Chi showed changes, particularly, in exercise large Heavenly Circuit and Small Heavenly Circuit.
We observed systemically and generally EEG, respiration, skin temperature on the points, heart rate and blood flow as well as other physiological index in 80 testees under qigong state. It was found that in qigong state when the mind is concentrated at Dantian, the blood flow in the brain obviously decreased in the qigong master group and qigong practitioner group than that in control group, breath frequency slows down, skin temperature on the point rise, the blood flow at Lower Dantian region go up, α wave rhythm in EEG go up. These changes are typical physiological changes in qigong state, which offer objective experimental index for the explicit of qigong state.
Daoism qigong, through regulation of heart—tranquilization, relaxation and mind concentration, will make the central nerve system further recover, adjust and balance, at same time, improve the circulatory system, enhance the immunity function, influence the biochemistry, metabolism and endocrine, so the automatic readjustment system will become more systemic. So this is important for health preservation, prevention and treatment of diseases, prolonging the life, developing potential and improving the qigong skill and intelligence.
Study on “Kidney-Based Treatment” in Daoism Qigong
Daoism qigong is one of the splendid cultural gems of Chinese nation and a bright peal in the Chinese medical treasure house. For thousands of years, Chinese Daoism qigong has made great contribution for keeping health, preventing and treating diseases, prolong the life and developing the intelligence. Therefore, more and more qigong fans and patients both at home and abroad become interested in it. The medical effect of qigong is under extensive research and exploration now. Based on our clinical practice of medical qigong for several years, we put forward “kidney-based treatment” in qigong in combination with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory.
“Kidney”, as referred in TCM, not only includes the anatomical kidney in western medicine, but also reflects the physiological functions and pathological changes of urinary and reproductive system, nerve and endocrine system, respiratory system, locomotor system and water metabolism. So kidney in TCM involves a lot and is important for the function of other organs of the body and it plays a special role in the life activities.
I. Relationship between Daoism Qigong and Kidney
Daoism qigong through close coordination of regulation of heart, respiration and body, takes the interior exercise of essence, qi and spirit as the main purpose and self exercise of mind and body with relaxation and tranquilization as the core. Daoism qigong considers essence, qi and spirit as three treasures of the body, which are the chief materials constituting the life activities of the human body. The three are mutually dependent and transformed. Among them, the essence is the material basis, qi is the motive force and the spirit is the lead. In exercise of Daoism qigong, the essence is always being stressed first with the mind concentrated on Lower Dantian, Mingmen (Du 4) and Yongquan (Kid 1), all of which are able to strengthen the kidney’s function of storing the essence. Qigong exercise also acts to cultivate the primary qi, build up the brain and benefit the intelligence, to strengthen the body, the memory, and prevent and treat the diseases and prolong the life.“Primary qi” here is also named “original qi”, “true qi”, which is concerned as the primary force for the life activity. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holds that primary qi is the primary essential qi originated from the parents and generated through the vaporizing function of the kidney and nourished by the water and food. Primary qi can promote the growth of the body, warm and invigorate the physiological functions of organs and meridians and collaterals, and it is the most basic material for maintaining the life activity. In ancient qigong literatures, primary qi was mentioned as “qi” as it is the “original qi”. Before the birth, “qi” is the dominant force facilitating the interior respiration of fetus, and after the birth, “qi sinking to Dantian” becomes the “root of respiration”. Therefore, Daoism qigong exercise can increase the vaporizing function of the kidney and the functions of brain and cerebral cortex, this fact coincide with the TCM theories “kidney storing the essence”, the essence “producing the marrow, the marrow connecting the brain”, and “brain is the house of primary spirit”. Qigong exercise focus on the regulation of Ren and Du Meridians, while the Du meridian circulates along the midline of the back, pertaining to the kidney, connecting with the brain, and it mainly has two functions: first, it governs all the yang meridians, adjusts the flow of qi and blood in the yang meridians, so it is called “sea of yang meridians”, second, it reflects the function of the kidney, spinal cord and brain. Hence, Daoism qigong exercise is able to help the physiological function of Du meridian and facilitate the physiological functions of the kidney. Therefore, Daoism qigong is closely related with the kidney, and “kidney-based treatment” in Daoism Qigong is worthy of further research.
II. Application of “Kidney-Based Treatment” in Daoism Qigong”
In clinical application, “kidney-based treatment” in Daoism Qigong takes the kidney as the core, which can be used to kidney deficiency syndrome by tonifying the kidney, for instance impotence, seminal emission, infertility, chronic nephritis, diabetes, soreness and pain of the back, and tinnitus, and also to treat some zang-fu diseases related to the kidney. According to the theory of five elements in TCM, the kidney and the liver, the heart, the spleen and the lung are closely associated, as the kidney pertains to the water, the liver to the wood, the kidney can nourish the liver wood, that is why nourishing the kidney for the liver is used treat the condition caused by kidney deficiency and failure of water to nourish the wood leading to liver yin deficiency, and hyperactivity of liver yang, such as hypertension, cerebral vascular disease, headache, redness, swelling and pain of eyes; the heart pertains to fire, houses the mind, and the kidney water can control the heart fire, so the method of nourishing kidney and reducing the heart can treat kidney yin deficiency syndrome, and failure of water to control the fire, leading to upsurge of heart fire and restless of mind in heart, such as neurasthenia, palpitations, cardiac pain, ulcer of the mouth and tongue; the spleen pertains to the earth, and dominates transportation and transformation, and considered as the acquired foundation of the body. The kidney stores the essence, which is the source of essence, and it is the congenital foundation of the body. The spleen and kidney can mutually promoted, so the method of strengthening the spleen and kidney can treat yin and yang deficiency of spleen and kidney syndrome, including chronic gastroenteritis, the lung pertains to metal, and dominates qi, respiration, while the kidney dominates reception of qi, to tonify the kidney can increase the function of lung in dominating the respiration, so the method of strengthening the kidney to receiving qi can treat qi deficiency of lung and kidney, chronic cough and asthma, such as senile chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma. Daoism qigong takes the interior cultivation of essence, qi and spirit, especially primary essence, primary qi and primary spirit, and the kidney is most closely related with the three, therefore, “kidney-based treatment” in Daoism qigong is indicated for many common diseases and frequently encountered diseases, which is significant for the clinical practice.
In general, “kidney-based treatment” in Daoism qigong is one of the principles of medical action of qigong., the TCM theory and the clinical application of Daoism qigong prove that “kidney-based treatment” is scientific to certain extent.