A 3,000 year old mind-body Chinese discipline, qigong (chee-gong) is said to mitigate pain by clearing energy blockages along invisible pathways called meridians. Most classes begin with ten minutes of meditation and progress to tai chi like exercises synchronized with relaxed breathing.
Why it works. Advocates say the movements help release endorphins in the brain that can bring a sense of peace and a relief from pain. Patients with pain for years gets better in few weeks says Robert Rosenbaum Ph.D., a neuropsychologist at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Ca.
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