A recent study from researchers at the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) World Foundation found that a mind-body intervention called The Dragon’s Way may relieve several physical and emotional health issues. This technique, from the Wu Ming Qigong tradition, was shown to reduce stress-related psychological and physical symptoms.

The research data confirmed clinical observations of The Dragon’s Way’s effectiveness in lowering stress and increasing overall wellness for a diverse population, with a majority of subjects reporting significant relief from both physical and psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, over a two-year period.

A group of 102 subjects, including 88 women and 14 men, participated at different times in six-week sessions on The Dragon’s Way, taught by certified Wu Ming Qigong instructors. Data collected from these subjects before and after each session showed that 80 percent of participants experienced a reduction or complete disappearance of chronic physical and emotional symptoms associated with stress, including anxiety, fatigue, muscle tension, back pain, forgetfulness, nervousness, shortness of breath, insomnia, abdominal distention, depression and headache. In addition, 90 percent of subjects reported improved anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Based on these findings, TCM World Foundation is planning a second study on the impact of the Dragon’s Way program using standard psychological instruments to measure emotional and physical changes in subjects. A third phase will measure biochemical changes affected by this unique holistic intervention. With more people becoming aware of the impact of stress on health and well-being, finding ways to reduce it is a crucial concern and The Dragon’s Way may hold one answer. Based on traditional Chinese medicine’s Five Element energetic framework, the program is structured around Wu Ming qigong movements, TCM-based dietary modifications and nutrition principles, and an educational component of practical lifestyle changes and unique stress release techniques drawn from Taoist healing practices.

With empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of such comprehensive interventions, more people can turn to qigong to improve both mental and physical health.

Elaine Katen is program director at the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. For more information, call 212-274-1079 or visit TCMWorld.org.