Health and Medical Benefits of T’ai Chi & Chi Kung

T’ai Chi and Chi Kung have been used for thousands of years to maintain health and to correct illnesses and diseases.

Building upon the medical philosophy of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, 2697 BC-2598 BC) and the foundational work of the legendary Hua To’s Five Animal Frolics or Sports (Wu Qin Xi), numerous Chi Kung sets have been developed to address diseases of the liver, heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. The success of Chi Kung sets in the treatment of Cancer as well as hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, various mental illnesses, and more have been well-researched and documented by Western medicine.

T’ai Chi Chuan (taijiquan) and Qigong (Chi Kung) are recommended and endorsed by the Harvard Medical School, the Cleveland Clinic, the Mayo Clinic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Cancer Institute, the American Arthritis Association, the National Institute of Health, and more.

Still Mountain T’ai Chi and Chi Kung’s offerings include many different versions of general health maintenance sets in all of its classes.

In addition, Dr. Clippinger has trained with a number of Grandmasters to learn a wide range of Medical Chi Kung forms and exercises that address a broad array of health issues and concerns.

The World Health Organization has recognized that T’ai Chi (taiji) and Chi Kung (Qigong) alongside other Traditional Chinese Medicine practices such as acupuncture are effective treatments for many clinical disorders including:

  • Improves Overall Physical Fitness
  • Tones Muscles
  • Burns Calories
  • Alleviates Anxiety and Stress
  • Reduces Blood Pressure
  • Strengthens Circulation of Blood and Oxygen
  • Increases Joint Flexibility
  • Alleviates Pain
  • Strengthens Memory and Enhances Concentration
  • Improves Balance and Coordination
  • Generates a Sense of Emotional and Physical Well-being
  • Elevates Energy and Mood
  • Heals the Body and Mind
  • Teaches Self-Defense

The World Health Organization has recognized that T’ai Chi (taiji) and Chi Kung (Qigong) alongside other Traditional Chinese Medicine practices such as acupuncture are effective treatments for at least forty-three commonly encountered clinical disorders including:

  • Alcohol Dependence
  • Allergies/Asthma
  • Anxiety/Depression
  • Arthritis/Joint Problems
  • Back Pain
  • Bladder/Kidney Problems
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Poor Circulation
  • Premenstrual Syndrome
  • Sciatica
  • Drug Addiction/Smoking
  • Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
  • Fatigue
  • Gynecological Disorders
  • Headache/Migraine
  • Heart Problems/Palpitations
  • Herpes
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Immune System Deficiency
  • Infertility
  • Insomnia
  • Knee Pain
  • Fibromyocitis
  • Neck Pain
  • Colds/Flu
  • Constipation/Diarrhea
  • Sexual Dysfunction
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Skin Problems
  • Sports Injuries
  • Stress/Tension
  • Tendinitis
  • TMJ
  • Weight Gain or Loss

For detailed discussions and published clinical medical studies on the above disorders and how T’ai Chi and Chi Kung have been measured as effective treatment strategies, visit the World Health Organization’s Web Page.

In addition to those findings published by the World Health Organization, many clinical medical studies on the benefits of T’ai Chi and Chi Kung have been documented in a range of medical journals including the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. The following is a partial bibliography of the published clinical cases:

Bibliography of Published Medical Studies on T'ai Chi and Chi KungBibliography of Published Medical Studies on T’ai Chi and Chi Kung

Lectures, Workshops, and Seminars

Dr. Clippinger received a certificate from Dr. Yang in 2007 for his training in Medical and Therapeutic Chi Kung (Qigong) and he is frequently invited by various health organizations and medical facilities to share his expertise through workshops, lectures, and seminars.   Some of those organizations include:

  • Allegheny General Hospital
  • The Cancer Caring Center of UPMC
  • McGees Womens Hospital
  • Gilda’s Club
  • National Hemophilia Foundation
  • PCPA
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
  • Dean Ornish Program
  • Shepherd Wellness Center
  • Mid-Atlantic HIV/AIDS Healing Weekend
  • Allegheny Department of Aging
  • Highmark Insurance
  • UPMC
  • Dick’s Sporting Goods Corporate Office

Dr. Clippinger lectured on Traditional Chinese Medicine and T’ai Chi Chuan at Allegheny General Hospital in March of 2005 and June of 2006.  He was also a speaker for the National Ovarian Cancer Symposium in October of 2005 at UPMC’s Hillman Cancer Center.