Qigong shows promise in reducing chronic lower back pain in veterans

Chronic pain is widespread among the US, particularly military veterans, affecting 40-70% of this population and serving as a major cause of disability. Veterans experience chronic pain more frequently than civilians, as lower back pain is the most common. Up to 75% of older veterans report chronic pain, but younger veterans and people from recent conflicts face more severe pain.

Chronic lower back pain in veterans affects not only physical health but social and professional functioning, often leading to unemployment, economic stress and economic instability. Additionally, veterans have a higher rate of opioid prescriptions, which increases the risk of addiction and overdose. Treatment of chronic low back pain is complicated by military service-related comorbidities, such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and behavioral disorders. Non-pharmacological approaches are essential for effective pain management.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University conducted a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of Qigong on biopsychosocial outcomes in veterans with chronic back pain. Qigong (pronounced “chee-gon”) is a traditional Chinese custom that combines gentle movements, allowing you to control breathing and meditation to cultivate and balance the body’s energy.

The research team designed a new Qigong program for this study, which is specifically applied to the management of chronic low back pain in veterans. The aim of the 8-week longitudinal study was to assess the impact of Qigong intervention on biological, psychological and social scale outcomes in veterans with chronic low back pain compared to the waiting list control group.

Specifically, the researchers evaluated how the intervention affected physical function, sleep disorders, PTSD, depression, anxiety, positive effects, and social roles and activities. These assessments were conducted at multiple points during the study to measure the preliminary effectiveness of the program.

The findings from a study published in the journal Pain Management Nursing showed that all pain-related outcomes (pain intensity, back pain-related disorders, and pain interference) were significantly reduced in the Qigong group compared to the control group. It shows that. In addition to chronic pain, the Qigong group showed significantly improved sleep disorders compared to the control group.

This holistic approach addresses the complex challenges faced by veterans with chronic back pain without relying on drugs. Armed with this knowledge, providers such as nurses and physical therapists will actively consider incorporating non-pharmacological interventions such as Qigong into their treatment plans, and the overall veterans who deal with chronic low back pain. You should consider increasing happiness. ”

Cheryl Krause-Parello, Ph.D. , author of FAU, Vice President of Research, founding director of Canines, Wusted Warriors (C-PAWW), and Associate Executive Director and Fau’s fellow and faculty intervention at the Institute for Human Health and Diseases (i-health).

This study also found an important relationship between biological factors such as inflammatory markers and psychosocial outcomes. For example, higher levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were strongly associated with decreased physical function. Similarly, the inflammatory marker IL-8 was associated with both pain-related disorders and symptoms of PTSD. These findings suggest that inflammation may contribute to both physical and mental health challenges in individuals with chronic disease.

Qigong is easy to learn, does not require a specific site or equipment, and can be practiced individually or collectively in a variety of styles, from slow-flowing exercises to contemplative postures. It is often used for relaxation, healing, or spiritual growth. It is similar to Tai Chi in some respects, but is more focused on internal energy work. Regular Qigong practice offers a variety of treatments focused on the spine. Gentle bend, stretch and strengthen based on the functional integrity of the spine and the mechanism of binding.

“Qigong’s stretch, relaxation, strengthening and balanced techniques can help relieve tension, relieve pain and improve flexibility and integrity,” says Krause-Parello. “Qigong practice can strengthen the musculoskeletal system and improve joint flexibility, motor function, and movement adjustment. It can activate posture improvement and reduce pain.”

The study co-author is Dr. Juyoung Park, PhD, from the University of Arizona University of Nursing. David Newman, Ph.D. , Professor and Statistician Fau Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

The results of this study will help researchers explore the relationships between these biopsychosocial factors and estimate the effect size required to design future fully driven clinical trials.