For those of you recovering from addiction, there is one method that you may not yet have come across which, integrated into your existing recovery programme, can help you maintain sobriety and improve the quality of your health and your life. This method is called Qigong. In the post below you will learn some interesting facts and tips which will show you how to use Qigong for addiction recovery.
Qigong (or sometimes referred to as Chi Kung or Chi Gung) is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that is thousands of years old. It involves simple exercises which combine gentle movement, breathing and the use of your mind to restore both physical and mental health by promoting the smooth and balanced flow of Qi (energy) throughout your whole system.
Benefits of Qigong
In addition to the well known physical benefits from Qigong such as improving your energy levels, helping ease joint pain from arthritis and muscle pain from fibromyalgia, Qigong can significantly improve your mental health. Many people have experienced a reduction in anxiety, depression and stress levels in addition to significantly improved sleep, conditions which can arise during addiction recovery.
All of these benefits make Qigong an ideal complementary therapeutic approach to addiction recovery.
Research Into Qigong For Addiction Recovery
A number of research studies have reported that Qigong can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, reduce depression and also help contribute to the prevention of relapse.
Study 1
In one study conducted in China on 86 male heroin addicts undergoing detoxification, the treatment group practicing Qigong experienced less anxiety and more rapid reduction of withdrawal symptoms than the group receiving detoxification drugs alone.
(Li M, Chen K, Mo Z. “Use of qigong therapy in the detoxification of heroin addicts.” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 8(1): 50-59, 2002.)
Study 2
In this Harvard study, 101 cocaine dependent people were given 4-6 sessions of either Qigong or a sham treatment over two weeks. Those who had practiced Qigong showed a greater reduction in cravings and symptoms of depression. The practice of qigong, through its use of movement, breath work, visualisations and meditation, may be a beneficial addition to both a detoxification regimen and to an overall treatment and relapse prevention strategy.
(Smelson, D, Chen KW, Ziedonis D, et al. A Pilot Study of Qigong for Reducing Cocaine Craving Early in Recovery. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. February 2013, 19(2): 97-101.)
What Do I Do Next?
If you would like to start using Qigong for to help with your recovery there are a number of things you can do to easily get you started:
- Head over to my Space To Relax homepage (https://spacetorelax.com/).
There you can sign up for a free 3 part video series of Qigong lessons. These three lessons will give you the perfect introduction to Qigong. They only take 5 minutes to perform and are very easy to learn. Also, scroll to the bottom of my homepage where you can sign up to receive a free audio meditation called “Calm Your Busy Mind in 8 Minutes”. I talk you through this simple breathing method in order to help you feel calm, relaxed, clear and focused in your mind.
- Go to YouTube and subscribe to my channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpXkhdBx7zHDshtwWiBEuA?) by clicking the red “Subscribe” button. That way you won’t miss my regular videos which are full of useful health enhancing tips.
- Join my free Facebook group, “Space To Relax Free Group” (https://www.facebook.com/groups/janicetuckercourses/) and leave any comments or questions for me there. I’ll be happy to answer them. Also, by joining this group, you will receive regular posts of Qigong articles and videos with really useful tips about how to use Qigong to improve your state of health.
- Janice’s Video Blog
If you would like more information and access to many free video demonstrations of Qigong then head over to my video blog (https://spacetorelax.com/blog/). Some videos of particular interest to you are listed below but please feel free to browse through some of the others on the blog page as I’m sure there will be others that interest you.
Qigong for Anxiety: https://spacetorelax.com/qigong-for-anxiety/
Discharge Waste Qi Method: https://spacetorelax.com/qigong-chi-kung-demonstration-discharge-waste-qi-vibration/
Morning Qigong Exercise – 3 Feel Good Tips: https://spacetorelax.com/morning-qigong-exercise-3-feel-good-tips/
Get Rid of the Negative With Qigong Breathing Exercises: https://spacetorelax.com/get-rid-negative-qigong-breathing-exercises/
Qigong For Sleep: https://spacetorelax.com/qigong-for-insomnia/
For more information on Qigong, acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine please contact janice@spacetorelax.com.
Thanks Eileen for information on Qigong
You’re very welcome Martha, hope it helps
Having an addiction problem is indeed problematic. There are many ways in coping with such but withdrawals and cravings are still lingering. This new Qigong method is interesting. I find the insights share here very helpful. A great and safe way to recover from addiction is qigong.