The Huffington Post has a great article on the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong, written by an MD who struggles with an auto-immune disorder and chronic pain.
Via The Huffington Post
I do Qigong or Tai Chi every day. I think of it as medicine, too. Can I say for sure that it has worked for me? Not with a double blind study, but I do believe that my investigations have led me to a plan which has helped me and maybe could help you, too. At my last visit my rheumatologist told me that the Tai Chi and Qigong have probably helped my bone density stabilize at osteopenia. Let me tell you some of what I have learned through my experience.
Calming the mind and calming the body allows healing. Strengthening the muscles through simple postures and movements prevents falls. Moving with flow and gentle weight bearing helps balance and can positively impact bone density. Achieving a relaxed state of the mind reduces stress. These are some of the simple premises that underlie the health benefits of Qigong and Tai Chi.
Read the article in full here.