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Baduanjin (Eight Brocades)

A listing is not a recommendation.

Origin: China · Tradition: A representative qigong form · Movement

What it is

A relatively easy-to-learn qigong of eight movements. It is also widely practised in contemporary China with the aim of maintaining health.

A short introduction (not a treatment instruction)

1. Repeat each movement slowly, in time with the breath.
2. Confirm the form with official or otherwise reliable teaching video.
3. Reduce the range if a movement is painful.

Symptoms or aims often mentioned with this practice

• Tiredness
• Balance and fall prevention
• Sleeplessness
• Blood pressure (general mention)
• Low back pain
• Stress or unease

Related symptom videos

• Balance & fall prevention
• Low back pain

Research notes (this is not a promise of effect)

B: Randomised trials or systematic reviews exist, but reports are modest, the group studied is limited, or study quality is limited

Systematic reviews of several RCTs have reported improvements in quality of life, sleep, balance, muscle strength, and blood pressure. Many studies are from Chinese-language settings; variation in study quality should be kept in mind.

Sources

• Zou et al., Systematic review and meta-analysis of Baduanjin RCTs (PMC5359459)
• NCCIH: Qigong: What You Need To Know