addition to the qigongpractitioners, the Mt. Sinai
team was composed of David J. Muehsam, M. S.
Markov, Patricia A. Muehsam, and Arthur A. Pilla.
As their ‘subject,’ they chose a biochemical reac-
tion involved in the contracting of muscles that
line the blood vessels and intestinal tract. The bio-
chemical reaction is highly complex and occurs in
stages. It requires the binding of calcium to a pro-
tein called calmodulin, which then activates an
enzyme called myosin light chain kinase. This acti-
vated enzyme then causes phosphorus to attach to
molecules called myosin light chains. The end
result is the production of energy required for the
contraction of muscle tissue.
“The researchers asked the qigongpractitioners
to treat the tissue samples, which were taken from
animals, as they would treat a patient in real life.
They stood two to five feet away from the test
tubes during treatment, which lasted for six min-
utes for each sample. In all of nine trials, the qigong
masters were able to modify the biochemical reac-
tion by an average of 15 percent, which is an effect
size seen in many clinically significant biological
reactions in the body. The odds against a chance
explanation of the outcome were less than one in
twenty.”
Regular qigong practice is said to initiate the
relaxation response, that is, a decrease in heart rate
and blood pressure and the optimal flow of oxygen
to body tissues; alter chemicals in the brain called
neurotransmitters that can moderate pain, depres-
sion, and addictive cravings; boost the immune sys-
tem by increasing the rate and flow of lymphatic
fluid and help the body resist disease and infection.
More information is available by contacting
the National Qigong Association (NQA), P.O.
Box 540, Ely, MN 55731, or (218) 365-6330,
or http://www.nqa.org.; and the Qigong Institute, 561
Berkeley Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025, or http://www.
qigonginstitute.org.
See also ACUPUNCTURE; Appendix I.qi ni Qi, or energy, that flows in the wrong direc-
tion, sometimes called “rebellious qi.”
See also QI.qi xian Deficient, or decreasing, qi, which results
in less than optimal body functioning.
See also QI.qi zhi Stagnant or sluggish qi.
See also QI.134 qi ni