Holistic Healing Through Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai chi and qigong do much more for recovering addicts than basic exercise or meditation alone. These ancient health practices combine classical conditioning with visualization, breath work, and meditation to create a powerful complementary therapy for most maladies, including addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, and other compulsions.
What Is Qigong?
Translated from Chinese, qigong (pronounced "chee-gung") means "energy cultivation" or "working with the life energy." It is an ancient Chinese system of postures, breathing techniques, and meditations designed to enhance the flow of qi in the body. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, qi is the fundamental life energy of the universe, which is responsible for maintaining health and vitality and balancing our physical, mental, and emotional levels.
Tracing back 5,000 to 7,000 years, qigong has been influenced by Taoist philosophy, Buddhist concepts of spirituality, the Confucian school of thought, and other strands of Chinese philosophy. It is often prescribed by Chinese physicians as a regular part of treatment for chronic conditions such as asthma, allergies, cancer, headaches, hypertension, depression, mental illness, stroke, heart disease, and obesity, and is practiced by an estimated 60 million Chinese people, young and old, every day.
There are thousands of postures and movements in qigong that are designed to strengthen, stretch, and tone the body. One of the most popular sequences is called "Eight Figures for Every Day," a series of movements commonly used as a daily, full-body exercise and meditation routine.
Qigong instructors also utilize deep abdominal breathing, shallow chest breathing, relaxed breathing, and holding breaths to stimulate and heal the organs. They also use visualizations of certain body parts, ideas, or objects, such as "Inner Smile," which asks practitioners to imagine positive, healing energy traveling to each organ in the body.
In the past decade, qigong has become popular in the U.S. for its many health benefits, including an increase in energy, improvement in overall health and longevity, and a reduction in stress levels. In addition, qigong has been associated with increased blood flow to the brain, increased oxygen metabolism, deeper and more restorative sleep, lower blood pressure, and improved immune system functioning.
Kicking the Habit with Qigong
In addition to these general health benefits, qigong has been proven helpful in addiction by lessening anxiety and promoting more rapid reduction of withdrawal symptoms during detoxification. The flowing movements of qigong stimulate the lymph system, accelerating the detox process, while the unique breathing style and postures induce a relaxation response and overall sense of well-being.
Research published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, conducted by Kevin Chen, a professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey, and two colleagues in China - Ming Li and Zhixian Mo, MD - showed that qigong is "an effective alternative" to medications for helping people recover from addiction to heroin. The heroin addicts who participated in the qigong study showed a marked improvement in anxiety scores, significantly fewer sleep disturbances in just two to three days, and a rapid reduction in withdrawal symptoms.
"This study shows that qigong practice may accelerate the detoxification process, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and shorten recovery time," the researchers said, adding that no side effects or risks were noted from using qigong. With further studies, the scientists believe qigong could have "significance and wide application" in treating addiction for substances other than heroin.
Tai Chi to Balance Mind and Body
Based on similar concepts of changing the flow of qi in the body, tai chi (sometimes called tai chi chuan) is a slow, smooth series of gentle, rhythmic physical exercises and stretches that are coordinated with breathing. With more than 100 possible movements and positions, some forms of tai chi are fast-paced and intense while most others are slow-paced, technique-driven, and suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
While tai chi is commonly practiced for relaxation and stress reduction, it also stimulates circulation, aids digestion, increases muscle tone and strength, improves balance and coordination, increases energy and agility, improves sleep quality, lowers blood pressure, and improves everyday physical functioning. Most importantly to some, tai chi focuses the mind and creates a safe, quiet space for people to think of themselves and prioritize their own health and well-being.
Finding Holistic Addiction Treatment Programs
Because yoga, meditation, martial arts, tai chi, and qigong have proven to be successful adjuncts to traditional addiction treatment, many renowned drug rehab programs have begun integrating these ancient practices into their treatment plans.
Sierra Tucson, an innovative addiction treatment program in Tucson, Arizona, developed its own model of addiction treatment, which recognizes that all individuals exist as mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Its bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach to treatment of the whole person combines medical and psychiatric services with the 12-Step philosophy and a full range of holistic alternative therapies, including acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, qigong, reiki, shiatsu, and yoga.
Sober Living by the Sea's world-famous addiction treatment facilities in Newport Beach, California, are another great option for addicted individuals seeking holistic addiction treatment. With two facilities for women, The Rose and The Victorian of Newport Beach, and two drug rehab programs for men, The Landing and Sunrise Recovery Ranch (in the Southern California foothills), patients enjoy a rich selection of alternative therapies and wellness activities such as massage therapy, kung-fu, and tai chi.
Everyone can benefit from incorporating qigong, tai chi, and other meditative exercises into their self-care regimen. Recovering addicts, whose health and well-being has often been set aside in the pursuit of the next high, can particularly benefit from the relaxation, detoxification, and deepened awareness of mind and body offered by these ancient healing arts.