by Jackie Hart, MD
Q: Is there any research on the use of qi gong for the treatment of type 2 diabetes?
A: I have been receiving several questions about alternative treatments for diabetes, and your question about a possible relationship between qi gong (an ancient Chinese practice involving particular slow movements of different parts of the body) and is another intriguing inquiry. I am not certain what prompted you to wonder about a connection between the two, but the potential for qi gong to be used as an adjunct to traditional diabetes treatment makes sense, because there is a link between poor blood sugar control and, and qi gong is often used for stress management and relaxation.
Stress can induce the so-called "fight or flight response," which is a physiologic reaction that triggers the body to either "fight" or "flee," so to speak. With either instinctual reaction, adrenaline starts to flow. Other chemical responses take place as well, including a drop in circulating levels of the hormone insulin and a rise in blood sugars. When this happens, the negative effects on blood sugar levels can be greater for a person with diabetes than for a person without diabetes.
The modern-day version of a "fight or flight" circumstance can be external stress, such as a demanding boss, an aggressive driver near you on the road, or the struggle to balance the pressures of work and family. Internal or psychological stress, such as feelings of anxiety and depression, can also raise blood sugars.
There is some suggestion from Chinese and other literature that qi gong may be a useful way to help control blood sugars in people with diabetes. Most recently, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published results of a pilot study in August 1999, conducted in Japan, that compared a walking form of qi gong (slow, meditative, deliberate) to regular, aerobic walking, as well as to no exercise at all. Both forms of walking lowered blood sugar in this study. This information is only preliminary, however, and conclusions cant yet be drawn from it, but it may form the basis of more extensive research on the topic.
In the meantime, I would certainly support using qi gong as an addition to standard diabetes treatment, particularly for type 2 diabetes. Even if you see no improvement in your blood sugar overall, I suspect that you will feel more relaxed. Watch for signs of hypoglycemia (extreme drop in your blood sugar), such as excessive sweating, shaking, irritability, weakness, or confusion following qi gong practice. Make sure that you discuss the qi gong practice and any changes in blood sugar levels with your doctor, in case your current treatment regimen needs adjustment.
Q: Is there any research on the use of qi gong for the treatment of type 2 diabetes?
A: I have been receiving several questions about alternative treatments for diabetes, and your question about a possible relationship between qi gong (an ancient Chinese practice involving particular slow movements of different parts of the body) and is another intriguing inquiry. I am not certain what prompted you to wonder about a connection between the two, but the potential for qi gong to be used as an adjunct to traditional diabetes treatment makes sense, because there is a link between poor blood sugar control and, and qi gong is often used for stress management and relaxation.
Stress can induce the so-called "fight or flight response," which is a physiologic reaction that triggers the body to either "fight" or "flee," so to speak. With either instinctual reaction, adrenaline starts to flow. Other chemical responses take place as well, including a drop in circulating levels of the hormone insulin and a rise in blood sugars. When this happens, the negative effects on blood sugar levels can be greater for a person with diabetes than for a person without diabetes.
The modern-day version of a "fight or flight" circumstance can be external stress, such as a demanding boss, an aggressive driver near you on the road, or the struggle to balance the pressures of work and family. Internal or psychological stress, such as feelings of anxiety and depression, can also raise blood sugars.
There is some suggestion from Chinese and other literature that qi gong may be a useful way to help control blood sugars in people with diabetes. Most recently, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published results of a pilot study in August 1999, conducted in Japan, that compared a walking form of qi gong (slow, meditative, deliberate) to regular, aerobic walking, as well as to no exercise at all. Both forms of walking lowered blood sugar in this study. This information is only preliminary, however, and conclusions cant yet be drawn from it, but it may form the basis of more extensive research on the topic.
In the meantime, I would certainly support using qi gong as an addition to standard diabetes treatment, particularly for type 2 diabetes. Even if you see no improvement in your blood sugar overall, I suspect that you will feel more relaxed. Watch for signs of hypoglycemia (extreme drop in your blood sugar), such as excessive sweating, shaking, irritability, weakness, or confusion following qi gong practice. Make sure that you discuss the qi gong practice and any changes in blood sugar levels with your doctor, in case your current treatment regimen needs adjustment.