Master Zi Sheng Wang
When I began teaching tai chi 30 years ago it was often the case that a few of my new students were physically unable to participate which was extremely disappointing for them and sad for me to see. I felt there must be a system where all levels of ability have an equal opportunity to benefit. With the goal of benefiting the greatest number of people, I decided change my focus to the healing arts. Continue reading
What causes stress and how can we prevent it? Are there effective alternative, holistic, and complementary practices to treating stress besides prescription drugs?
What Does Current Research Say About Treatment for Stress?
Current studies show that Americans are not satisfied with healthcare programs addressing stress.
A recent study entitled, “Stress in America™: Missing the Health Care Connection,” was conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association, among 2,020 U.S. adults in August of 2012. The results of the study suggest that people are not receiving what they need from their health care providers to effectively manage stress and help them with necessary lifestyle and behavior changes needed to improve their health.
Stress in America – 42% reported that the leading stress symptom they experienced was anger or irritability.
A little more than half (53%) of Americans said they receive little or no support for stress management from their providers. Thirty-nine percent (39%) said that they have little or no behavior management support. Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans said that their stress increased this past year.
The effects of stress on the body
What are Stress Symptoms?
Stress symptoms can be emotional, physical, behavioral and mental or psychological. A person under stress might have the following symptoms:
How is Stress Diagnosed and Treated?
There is no specific medical test for stress but your trusted healthcare provider or family physician should do a thorough medical and psychological exam and evaluation. He or she will ask you about your family history, your work, your daily routine, and personal life to help determine “stress triggers” and discuss a plan of treatment. It might be helpful for you to keep a stress diary for a few weeks to determine causes of stress.
The doctor might also order blood and urine lab tests, EEG, EMG, MRI, or other tests to rule out other illnesses that might be triggering stress symptoms. Basic tests will include measuring your blood pressure and completing a questionnaire to test for depression. After making diagnostic or psychological tests have been completed, your trusted healthcare practitioner may recommend treatment.
Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as changes in diet, physical activity or exercise, meditation, or prescription medications. If you don’t feel comfortable with the doctor’s evaluation or plan of treatment, it is important that you trust yourself and your own body wisdom when making a decision. Make sure that you are working with a doctor as a member on your team, and that your healthcare professionals are working closely with you.
Which Types of Alternative Approaches Have Been Effective?
What holistic, alternative approaches are effective in treating stress?
There are many types of alternative approaches that have been shown to be effective in relieving stress, however, most approaches take time and training for the person to be skilled enough to use it successfully, or for the hands-on practitioner to be successful in working cooperatively with the client to achieve success.
Research studies show that alternative approaches can ]reduce or eliminate stress symptoms. Exercise has been well-documented as a stress-reducer, as has prayer, deep breathing, and meditation. Hypnosis and massage are also highly effective alternative treatments to prescription drugs.
Therapeutic massage is a well-documented alternative treatment for alleviating stress.
Some of the natural approaches to relieving stress are:
Acupuncture can be a successful alternative treatment to reducing stress related symptoms
For more information about which alternative or complimentary therapies or approaches are best for your needs in treating anxiety or stress, consult with your trusted health-care practitioner, or check out the resources below.
Resources
The American Institute on Stress
The Stress Resource Center – Harvard
Healthfinder.gov – Stress Management
Holistic Stress Management for Nurses
American Psychological Association
Huffington Post -Reduce Stress Now
Mayo Clinic – Stress Management
Viner, R. (1999) Putting Stress in Life: Hans Selye and the Making of Stress Theory. Social Studies of Science, Vol. 29, No. 3 (June 1999), pp. 391–410
O’Connor, T. M.; O’Halloran, D. J.; Shanahan, F. (2000). “The stress response and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: From molecule to melancholia”. QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians 93 (6): 323–333.
LE Walker Post-traumatic stress disorder in women: Diagnosis and treatment of battered woman syndrome.
– Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 1991
Hayes, Steven C.; Wilson, Kelly G.; Gifford, Elizabeth V.; Follette, Victoria M.; Strosahl, Kirk. Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 64(6), Dec 1996, 1152-1168. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.64.6.1152, Special Section: Development of Theoretically Coherent Alternatives to the DSM-IV.
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This article is written by Jean Voice Dart, M.S. Special Education from Illinois State University. Jean is a published author and has written hundreds of health articles as well as hosting a local television program, “Making Miracles Happen.” She is a Registered Music Therapist, Sound Therapist, and Master Level Energetic Teacher, and is the Executive Director, founder and Health and Wellness Educator of the Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance. The Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance is a registered 501 (c) 3 nonprofit health and wellness education organization. For more information about the Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance contact us or visit our website at www.montereybayholistic.com.
Greetings friends!
30 Benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi. Click, copy, download, save and share with family members and friends.
WHAT IS QIGONG and WHAT IS TAI CHI?
The word Qigong (Chi Kung) consists of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced “chee” and is usually translated to mean “the life force”or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, Gong, pronounced “gung,” means accomplishment, or skill that is achieved through disciplined effort or continued practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung) means cultivating energy, it is a system for healing and increasing energy or vitality.
“Stillness and action are relative, not absolute, principles. It is important to find a balance of yin and yang, not just in qigong, but in everyday life. In movement, seek stillness and rest. In rest, be mindful and attentive.”
Ken Cohen, The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing, pages 4-5
Tai Chi (Taiji Quan) is a style of qigong. It is slow and fluid-like. Other types of qigong exercise are for developing specific systems or parts of the body– nervous system, endocrine system, etc., but Taiji Quan is an exercise for the whole body, mind, and spirit with the goal of restoration and wholeness.
HOW DOES QIGONG HELP IMPROVE HEALTH?
The breathing, gentle movement, and meditation techniques of qigong help to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (qi). Qigong practice leads to better health and vitality and a tranquil state of mind. In the past, qigong has also been called nei gong (inner work) and dao yin (guiding energy). Research studies show that qigong may be effective in the treatment of many illnesses including cancer and heart disease. Recent studies show that qigong delays the effects of aging and is useful with elderly and those experiencing symptoms of dementia.
Here is a listing of thirty benefits and positive effects of qigong and/or tai chi, as noted in a variety of reports, reviews, and research studies.
- Loosens Muscles
- Builds Power
- Strengthens Organs
- Slows Respiration
- Strengthens Nerves
- Builds Bone Density
- Prevents Joint Injury
- Strengthens Ligaments
- Destroys Free Radicals
- Increases Injury Recovery
- Decreases Stress
- Balances Emotions
- Improves Circulation
- Prevents Muscular Spasms
- Reduces Pain
- Lowers Heart Rate
- Normalizes EKG
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Improves Asthma
- Relieves Bronchitis
- Builds Immune System
- Relieves Migraines
- Decreases Stroke Risk
- Improves Skin Elasticity
- Improves Posture
- Improves Flexibility
- Increases Balance
- Improves Memory
- Aides in Digestion
- Improves Kidney Function
Research suggests that qigong and/or tai chi can be very helpful and effective in bringing balance, harmony, and healing to the body, mind, and spirit for people of all ages and cultures. More research is needed in controlled settings, over a longer periods of time, to better determine the effect that qigong has on health and wellness. Changes in diet and other alternative and orthodox medical treatments are also influential and work with qigong to bring about wellness. Always confide in your trusted health professional for advice.
Best wishes to you from your health and wellness friends at MBHA.
The Qigong Research Society
The Qigong Institude – Scientific Papers and Reviews
Monterey Bay Holistic Alliance 
