Skip to main content

Qigong Beneficial for Veterans With Chronic Low Back Pain

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 3, 2025.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2025 -- The traditional Chinese practice of qigong can effectively alleviate chronic low back pain (CLBP), according to a study recently published in Pain Management Nursing.

Cheryl A. Krause-Parello, Ph.D., R.N., from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, and colleagues examined the preliminary efficacy of an eight-week qigong intervention for managing biopsychosocial outcomes in veterans with CLBP. The analysis included 31 participants who were randomly assigned to qigong or a wait-list control.

The researchers found that participants in the qigong group showed greater improvement in pain intensity, pain interference, pain-related disability, and sleep disturbance. There was a statistically significant relationship between biological outcomes (proinflammatory cytokines) and psychosocial outcomes (e.g., tumor necrosis factor and physical function, and interleukin 8 and both pain-related disability and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder).

"Stretching, loosening, strengthening, and balancing techniques of qigong may release back tension, ease pain, and improve flexibility and alignment," Krause-Parello said in a statement. "Qigong practice can strengthen the musculoskeletal system and improve joint flexibility, motor function, and movement coordination. It can activate postural improvements and decrease pain. Importantly, it can improve physical conditions and psychosocial function such as depression and social isolation in veterans with chronic back pain."

Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted February 2025

Read this next

Low Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Rates Seen in Cancer Survivors

THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- For U.S. adult cancer survivors with a new alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis, the one-year cumulative incidence of AUD treatment initiation was 14.3...

Total Number of Excess Deaths >14.7 Million in U.S. in 1980 to 2023

THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- There were 14,735,913 excess deaths in the United States during 1980 to 2023 compared with other high-income countries (HICs), according to a research...

Earlier Natural Menopause Risk Increased for Women in Socially Vulnerable Neighborhoods

THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 -- Women residing in U.S. neighborhoods with high social vulnerability have a higher risk for earlier natural menopause, according to a study published...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.