Virtual t'ai chi, Qigong program shown to relieve back pain

An online program of tai chi, qigong, and meditation has been shown to be helpful in reducing low back pain and associated discomfort, potentially providing a safe and inexpensive treatment option for the hundreds of millions of people who suffer from low back pain.

In a randomized clinical trial conducted jointly by The Center for Taiji & Qigong Studies, Och Spine at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine and New York Medical College, researchers found that patients who took online classes for 12 weeks followed reported less pain, easier movement and better sleep after participating in the program.

The findings are published today in the North American Spine Society Journal.

“It is well known that tai chi and qigong help reduce pain and improve strength, balance, immune function, sleep and mood,” says t'ai chi grandmaster Yang Yang, Ph.D., founder and director of the Center for Taiji and Qigong Studies, in New York. “Our new research shows how modern tools – virtual classes streamed on Zoom – are an effective way to implement these age-old practices and realize their health benefits.”

Study participants, all of whom suffered from lower back pain, took part in one-hour classes via Zoom twice a week that focused on meditation exercises and gentle movements aimed at increasing relaxation, spinal flexibility, posture, balance and nuclear strength. Participants also learned about acupressure points for back, neck, sciatica, energy and sleep. Everyone was instructed to adapt the curriculum to their individual needs and to continue practicing at home on their own time and at their own pace.

Throughout the program and beyond, researchers assessed participants on factors such as pain-related disability, pain intensity and sleep quality. The researchers found that compared to a control group, participants in the program experienced statistically significant improvement on all counts. The improvements lasted for at least one month after treatment was completed.

“The mind-body connection is essential for managing back pain, as stress, anxiety and negative emotions can worsen physical discomfort. Practices such as tai chi, qi gong, meditation and relaxation techniques can help reduce muscle tension and improve fitness. the body's response to pain, creating a holistic approach to healing and pain relief,” said Jaspal Ricky Singh, MD, vice chairman of strategy and clinical operations and associate professor of clinical rehabilitation medicine in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and director of Interventional Spine at Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

“This study highlights the novel approach of integrating both stillness and movement equally, offering a true mind-body practice that not only improves back pain, but also has the potential to reduce dependence on painkillers, including opioids, which is a critical public health issue. ” said lead researcher Kenneth A. Knapp, Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences and Practice, New York Medical College in Valhalla, NY.

“Back pain is one of the most common reasons for disability and suffering in our population. As a spine surgeon, it has always been my goal to limit the use of spine surgery to those patients who will truly benefit from surgical intervention. This study helps us to understand which patients do well with non-surgical treatment,” said senior investigator Roger Härtl, MD, director of Neurosurgery Spine and the Hansen-MacDonald Professor of Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, and co-director of Och Spine, director. neurosurgical spine at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

“Participants who received the virtually delivered mind-body intervention experienced greater pain reduction and improved quality of life than the control group at all time points, reinforcing the value of mind-body exercises in the treatment of chronic pain,” said Mohamad Bydon, MD, Neuro-Informatics Laboratory, Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.