Interdisciplinary Approach to Qigong
Scientific Study on Principle of Healing by Qigong


Author: Mori K//Chai JY//Endo T

Affiliation: International Institute of Systematizing TCM Theories, Japan Shanghai Qigong Research Institute, China Dalian International Rehabilitation Center, China
Conference/Journal: 2nd World Congress Qigong 
Date published: 1998
Other:
  Pages: 46   ,  Word Count: 342  
    Purpose: Qigong which has spread all over the world as a method of treating or preventing diseases and promoting health is one of fields of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and has been established on the same fundamental theory or the same principle of clinical effects as acupuncture and herbal medicine.   It is no exaggeration to say that the questions such as 'what is Qi?' or 'what is Qigong?'' might be same as to ask, 'what are human beings?' Thus, considering Qigong as a 'medicine of Qi' in a broad sense, we vied to reveal the mechanism to clinical effects in TCM including Qigong through scientific approach.

Subjects and Methods: Subjects were 200 persons in total, consisting of healthy adult volunteers and patients with various diseases.  Methods such as examination of the literature, neuroscience, nuclear medicine, image technology. psychoneuroimmunology and metric medicines were used for scientific approach to principle of clinical effects of Qigong to perform comprehensive analysis and discussion.

Results: 1) Examination of the literature such as, among others, 'The Yellow Emperor's Cannon of Medicine' revealed that 'Control Shen (the spirit)' is the fundamental principle of Qigong and acupuncture therapy.
2) Aiming at scientification Of “Control Shen,' the effects of acupuncture stimulation on the cerebral functions were analyzed using EEG topography and positron CT (PET).  Changes in EEG topogram caused by acupuncture stimulation could be observed all over the cortex, though they were prominent in the areas from the frontal lobe to the parietal lobe. Positron CT images indicated that acupuncture stimulation temporarily activated from the paleocortex to the neocortex, affecting a wide range of the cranial nerve cells including A (10) nerve.
3) Considering 'Control Shen” as a multidimensional phenomenon
pattern involving complicated factors, we performed multivariate analysis of complaints of patients with chronic pain to establish a theoretical model common to pain control and 'Control Shen”. 

Conclusions: It was indicated that’ this theoretical model of 'Control Shen' was not only the principle of healing of TCM including Qigong but also a fundamental principle of recovery from illness of religious therapy.