THERAPIES & TRADITIONS · COMPARED
Tai Chi vs Qigong
How tai chi and qigong are related, how they differ in practice, and what trials and reviews show for falls, back pain and other uses, with the limits of that research.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to Tai Chi: History, What a Class Involves and What Research ShowsTai chi and qigong are often mentioned together because they are closely related. NCCIH says that when tai chi is performed for health it is considered a form of qigong, and that tai chi is one of hundreds of qigong exercise forms developed in China.[1] Full guides: Tai Chi and Qigong. This page is the main comparison of the two. It is general information, not personal advice.
What each is
Qigong was developed in China as part of traditional Chinese medicine. It uses exercises with the goal of improving and maintaining health, involving regulation of the mind, breath and body movement and posture.[1] In the traditional explanation the exercises "optimize energy" in the body, mind and spirit.[1] That is a traditional framework, not a measured biomedical mechanism. Qigong includes dynamic forms built around movement and meditative forms done in almost any posture with almost no movement.[1] Named forms include Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Yijin Jing and medical qigong.[1]
Tai chi is a series of slow, gentle movements and postures with a meditative state of mind and controlled breathing. It originated as a martial art in China and has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation.[2] For its named styles, see Tai Chi Styles; for the best-known qigong set, see Qigong Forms.
What research shows
Many health outcomes (overview)
Promising but limited; study quality variesAn overview of 58 systematic reviews of tai chi and qigong reported benefits for blood pressure, blood lipids, mobility, falls and quality of life, with most studies done in China[3]
Falls in older adults, tai chi
High certainty for number of fallers; low certainty for rate of fallsA Cochrane review summarized by NCCIH found high-certainty evidence that tai chi may reduce the number of people who fall by 20 percent[2]
Falls, tai chi vs other qigong forms
Promising but limitedA 2023 network analysis of 45 studies found all four traditional exercises (tai chi, Baduanjin, Yi Jin Jing, Wu Qin Xi) appeared to prevent falls; Baduanjin and Yi Jin Jing did better on some measures[4]
Chronic low-back pain
Promising but limitedA 2026 analysis of 24 trials of six traditional Chinese exercises found methodological quality was moderate, with common limits in blinding, and evidence quality moderate to low[5]
Pain in general (qigong)
MixedNCCIH describes qigong pain research as conflicting[1]
Parkinson's balance
Promising but limitedA qigong review found balance gains greater than with other exercise; separately, a tai chi review found fewer falls versus no intervention or other exercise[1][2]
Within a 2026 network analysis of low-back-pain trials that included both tai chi and qigong, estimated pain was lower than control for all four mind-body exercises studied, no differences between them were detected, and certainty was low.[6]
Because these practices cannot be hidden from participants, expectation can affect results, and the six-exercise analysis above reported common limits in blinding.[5] Proper evidence not found for a direct head-to-head trial of tai chi against another qigong form: we searched PubMed titles for tai chi versus qigong comparisons and found none that tested the two against each other. Which is "better" is therefore insufficient evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Is tai chi a type of qigong?
Yes, according to NCCIH, when practiced for health.[1] NCCIH also notes that tai chi originated as a martial art.[2]
What is the main difference?
Qigong is a broad family of exercises, some with almost no movement; tai chi is one of hundreds of qigong forms.[1]
Which should a beginner choose?
No source we read favors one for beginners. Try a class of each if you can, and tell the teacher about any health conditions.
Are both safe for older adults?
NCCIH says qigong appears safe, including for older adults, though the number of qigong studies in older adults is limited.[1] Tai chi may help balance and falls in older adults.[2] Check with your doctor first if you have health conditions.
Is qigong's "energy" scientifically proven?
No. The "energy" idea is a traditional explanation, and the sources we read describe measured outcomes such as falls, pain and quality of life, not the energy itself.[1][3]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
NCCIH says qigong appears to be a safe form of activity, with many studies reporting no negative side effects; in a neck pain review, side effects occurred in under 10 percent of adults and included muscle pain, soreness and headache.[1] For tai chi, a review of 24 studies found adverse events were about as frequent as with another activity or no intervention.[2] Neither has pregnancy safety research: talk with your provider first.[1][2]
References
- NCCIH: Qigong: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH: Tai Chi: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
- Lee SH et al., Qigong and Tai Chi on human health: an overview of systematic reviews, Am J Chin Med 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Cheng M et al., Network meta-analysis of four traditional Chinese physical exercise therapies on falls in the elderly, Front Public Health 2023. Read 2026-10-22.
- Huang M et al., Comparison of traditional Chinese exercises for chronic non-specific low back pain: Bayesian network meta-analysis, J Pain Res 2026. Read 2026-10-22.
- Xiang Y et al., Mind-body exercises and pain in chronic nonspecific low back pain: network meta-analysis, J Pain Res 2026. Read 2026-10-22.