Enhancing Circulation with Qigong

The Effect of Qigong on Microcirculation

Microcirculation, which pertains to the circulation of blood within the smallest blood vessels, namely micro-arteries and micro-veins (capillaries), undergoes positive transformations as a result of Qigong practice. This ancient discipline has been documented to bring about several noteworthy changes in the microcirculatory system, including alterations in blood viscosity, improved blood vessel elasticity, and regulation of platelet concentration.

Furthermore, Qigong practice has been linked to the thickening of artery vessels and a notable increase in the proportion of normal blood flow loops for individuals with abnormal microcirculation. To illustrate, consider the case of hypertensive patients, where 67 percent of them initially exhibited abnormal microcirculation as evidenced by capillary loop observations on the nail bed—a considerably higher percentage compared to the general population. However, after engaging in Qigong practice, this abnormality dropped significantly to just 31 percent, highlighting the beneficial effects of Qigong on microcirculation.

Impact of Qigong on Cerebral Blood Vessel Elasticity and Brain Blood Flow

Qigong has the potential to enhance the flexibility of cerebral blood vessels and improve blood circulation within the brain. The practice of Qigong brings about notable changes in the waveform of the rheo-encephalogram, transitioning it from a sinusoidal or oblique pattern to a turn-wave or tri-peak wave. This transformation is accompanied by several significant alterations, including an increase at the turning point, the appearance of the dicrotic wave, and a reduction in inflow time.

One of the key benefits of Qigong is its ability to boost the elasticity of blood vessels, thereby reducing tension in the arterial walls. Additionally, Qigong has been linked to improvements in cerebral blood flow through breath adjustment techniques. For example, after two minutes of deep inhalation and exhalation exercises, the magnitude of the rheo-encephalogram decreased from 0.187 Ω to 0.160 Ω. Conversely, when employing the Holding Breath method, this magnitude increased from 0.154 Ω to 0.170 Ω within 30 minutes.

These findings align with observations made in animal studies regarding microcirculation in the cerebral pia mater. Interestingly, if individuals practice Relaxing Quiescent Qigong without engaging in breath adjustment, the magnitude of the rheo-encephalogram tends to show a declining trend.

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References:

Lin, Yagu. Encyclopedia of Chinese Qigong. Nanjing: Nanjing University Press, 1993.

Chinese Medical Qigong (p. 110). Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Kindle Edition.