Qigong: History, Practice and What Research Shows
What qigong is, its Chinese origins and traditional ideas, what a session involves, and what research shows for pain, lung disease, falls and more, with safety notes.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
What qigong is
Qigong (pronounced "chi gong") is a Chinese practice that combines regulation of the mind, the breath and the body's movement and posture. [1] In most forms the breath is slow, long and deep, movements are gentle and smooth and aimed at relaxation, and the mind is directed through attention and visualization. [1]Origins and the traditional explanation
NCCIH says qigong developed in China thousands of years ago as part of traditional Chinese medicine, with the goal of optimizing "energy" in the body, mind and spirit. [1] That is the traditional framework, in which qi is understood as a life energy. It is not a measured biological mechanism, and the research below tests exercise outcomes, not qi. The sources read for this page give no dates or founders, so none are stated. For the wider system see what is traditional Chinese medicine.Forms and how they differ
Qigong includes hundreds of forms. Other named forms include Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Hu Yue Xian, Yijin Jing and "medical qigong." [1] Techniques are grouped as:- Dynamic (active) techniques focus on body movements, such as whole-body or arm and leg motions. [1]
- Meditative (passive) techniques can be done in any posture that can be held and involve breath and mind exercises with almost no body movement. [1]
When tai chi is practiced for health, NCCIH considers it a form of qigong. [1] Harvard Health describes a tai chi class that may include a qigong segment of gentle breathing, sometimes with movement. [2] Tai chi has its own guide: tai chi. The two are compared in tai chi vs qigong. "Medical qigong" was not evaluated as a separate practice in any source read here.
What a session involves
Sessions may be standing, sitting or lying, with gentle movements, slow deep breathing and focused attention. [1][2] The breathing described is slow and deep, not forced. Practices that ask for rapid breathing or long breath-holds are different; see breathwork safety. Never practice breath-holding in or near water.What research shows
Most qigong trials cannot hide the practice from participants, so expectation and attention may add to results. The sources below are NCCIH's reviews of reviews. Labels: promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence.| Question | What the sources found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Pain (general) | Conflicting. [1] | mixed |
| Fibromyalgia | Initial research with only a few small studies. [1] | promising but limited |
| COPD | In 31 studies (3,045 people), adding qigong to usual treatment helped lung function, quality of life and exercise ability. [1] | promising but limited |
| Balance and falls | A 2019 survey of reviews found sufficient evidence for balance training and fall prevention. [1] | promising but limited |
| Parkinson's disease | Improved movement, walking and balance in a 7-study review. [1] | promising but limited |
| High blood pressure | A lack of firm evidence for a benefit. [1] | insufficient evidence |
| Knee osteoarthritis | Weak evidence; authors said it cannot be recommended until more high-quality studies. [1] | insufficient evidence |
| Cancer symptoms | Fatigue and sleep quality improved in a review combining qigong and tai chi; more high-quality, longer-follow-up studies are needed. [1] | promising but limited |
| Mild cognitive impairment | Improved cognition and memory at 3 and 6 months, but no follow-up beyond. [1] | promising but limited |
Safety
Qigong appears to be a safe form of activity. [1] In neck pain studies, side effects such as muscle pain, soreness and headache occurred in under 10 percent of adults and were similar to those from other exercise. [1] There is no research on safety in pregnancy and extremely limited research on practicing while pregnant; pregnant women may need to avoid or modify some movements and should talk with their health care provider. [1]Teachers and training
In the United States qigong instructors do not have to be licensed, and the practice is not regulated by the federal government or states. There is no national certification standard. [1] Rules in other countries were not checked. Ask about the teacher's training and experience. [1]When to see a clinician first
Do not use qigong to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. [1] See also the overview Yoga & Movement and the stress summary in movement, yoga and tai chi for stress.Frequently asked questions
Is qigong the same as tai chi?
Not exactly. When tai chi is performed for health it is considered a form of qigong, and tai chi is one of hundreds of qigong forms developed in China. [1]
Does qigong move "energy" in the body?
That is the traditional explanation. [1] Research measures outcomes such as pain, lung function and balance, not qi. [1]
Is qigong good for older adults?
Reviews of older adults gave some positive results, but NCCIH says better-designed trials are needed. [1] It appears safe. [1]
Can qigong treat high blood pressure?
There is no firm evidence of a benefit, and it should not replace medical care. [1]
Is qigong safe in pregnancy?
There is no research on safety in pregnancy. Talk with your provider first. [1]
Do qigong teachers need a license?
Not in the United States. [1]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Qigong: What You Need To Know. Last updated February 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Harvard Health Publishing. The Health Benefits of Tai Chi. Reviewed by Mallika Marshall, MD, Contributing Editor. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.