Qigong Practice within Physiotherapy Rehabilitation

Luke McManus   BScPT
Registered Physiotherapist
updated Mar 31, 2025

Qigong is an ancient mind-body practice that is estimated to have originated in China 3000 to 5000 years ago. Qigong exercises involve gentle physical movements of the arms, legs and trunk coordinated with slow and relaxed breathing.

There are many different styles of qigong practice around the world, and a common theme among authentic practices is that they have been used to improve physical health as well as encourage more peace and calm in one’s daily life. Qigong is also a common practice amongst traditional martial arts practitioners.

Tai chi is a form of qigong practice that many people are familiar with, often involving slow, smooth and rhythmic movements performed in group classes and often outdoors in nature.

Qigong has been a passion of mine for many years, and I have discovered specific scenarios in my physiotherapy practice where qigong exercises can successfully complement more traditional physiotherapy exercises, such as strength training and cardiovascular exercise.

My background in qigong training includes authentic practices from both the Northern and Southern Shaolin styles of internal energy arts, and I have completed formal training as a certified, affiliate instructor at Springkicks1. This formal training has allowed me to appreciate the synergies between traditional internal energy arts and contemporary physiotherapy rehabilitation.

Who would benefit from qigong exercises?

Many people stand to benefit from qigong practice as part of their rehabilitation plan. At Cornerstone Physiotherapy, the types of injuries and presentations for which I find qigong to be a good option as part of their rehabilitation include:

• Persistent pain, e.g., chronic low back pain and neck pain
• Pain that involves sensitization of the central nervous system, where the nervous system is in a state of heightened alertness. The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) is a questionnaire used to estimate central nervous system sensitization. A score over 40 can indicate the presence of central sensitization.
• Conditions with a lot of fear associated with movements that are often still safe to perform with supervision

What does Qigong look like?

Qigong exercises within a physiotherapy context are often performed in a standing position and involve slow, relaxed movements of the arms, trunk and legs. All movements are coordinated with slow breathing patterns and practiced to help progressively relax muscle tension.

Can any physiotherapist prescribe Qigong exercises?

In the context of physiotherapy, qigong exercises should be taught only by clinicians who are knowledgeable and experienced in prescribing these exercises in conjunction with regular physiotherapy treatment and physical exercise. Practitioners should have specific training in qigong within a physiotherapy setting to help prevent complications from the exercises and to ensure that the most effective exercises are selected.

What are the goals of Qigong exercises?

The goals of qigong are in line with the goals of more traditional physiotherapy exercises, with a particular focus on:

• Managing pain
• Reducing muscle tension
• Improving attention towards safe, comfortable movements to improve function
• Developing self-guided strategies for situations of stress that correlate with higher pain levels

Qigong exercises can be beneficial with short sessions of home practice, as little as five to fifteen minutes of practice once or twice per day.

If you are wondering whether qigong exercises may be helpful in your physiotherapy management, please ask your physiotherapist at Cornerstone Physiotherapy.

References:
1. Springkicks – Internal Energy Arts training [link: https://springkicks.com/]

About the author

Luke McManus

Physiotherapist Learn More about Luke McManus