In our recent discussion Dr. Calabrese, a renowned expert in clinical immunology and professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, shared his fascinating work with Qigong and the broader concept of "healing effects."
You can watch the replay below:
What is Qigong?
Qigong is a holistic practice combining gentle movement, meditation, and breathing exercises to promote physical and mental well-being. His research has unveiled its potential benefits, especially for those with unexplained medical conditions.
His journey began with treating patients with chronic, unexplained symptoms, often related to immune dysfunction. Traditional treatments, including heavy immunosuppressive therapies, sometimes fell short. This led him to explore wellness practices that could offer additional benefits beyond conventional medicine.
One key discovery was the impact of social and psychological stress on health.
Research from Stephen Cole and others showed that poor social interactions, stress, and loneliness could alter gene expression related to inflammation and immune responses. This realization motivated Dr. Calabrese to investigate how lifestyle interventions, like Qigong, could enhance wellness.
He and his colleague developed educational materials and programs integrating wellness practices into patient care. These included dietary recommendations, sleep improvement strategies, physical activity guidelines, and stress management techniques.
One significant project, "Immune Strength," is a 10-week online program focusing on diet, exercise, and mindfulness. The program is being evaluated through research funded by the National Psoriasis Foundation to determine its effectiveness in managing stress and immune-related conditions.
Recent research included a study comparing brief mindfulness meditation with listening to music. The aim was to measure the effects on stress and biological markers like cytokines. The study found that while short-term meditation improved self-reported stress, it did not significantly alter biological markers. This suggests that while brief meditation can enhance well-being, longer or more intensive practice may be needed for measurable changes in biological responses.
The conversation also touched on the role of placebo effects in medicine. He emphasized the importance of open-mindedness towards wellness practices, as they can offer real benefits even when conventional treatments are not fully effective.
Overall, this highlights the importance of a holistic approach to health, integrating traditional medicine with wellness practices like Qigong and mindfulness. Empowering patients with tools to manage their health proactively can enhance their overall well-being and potentially improve their response to conventional treatments.
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