The Effects Of Qigong On The Digestive System
The motion of the diaphragm in Qi Kong (Qigong) breathing provides a massage to the internal organs including the small intestine and cisterna chyli to promote peristalsis and improve digestion and absorption of nutrients. Qi Kong (Qigong) also enhances digestion by stimulating production of saliva and gastric juice as well as the secretion of bile by the gall bladder. Digestion is strengthened by the increased volume of blood flow to the viscera as the body moves in a state of relaxation.
Many of the effects of Qi Kong (Qigong) are overlapping, interrelated and bi-directional, depending on whether the imbalance in question is one of excess or deficiency. Tang You-Yue describe the homeostatic effect of Qi Kong (Qigong) as it applies to the digestive system:
Qi Kong (Qigong) exercise has a diphasic effect on the digestive system, i.e. The peristaltic frequency of the stomach increases in people with gastrointestinal bradykinesia. There is simultaneously an inhibitive response experienced by people with hyperperistalsis.
(Tang, Sun Ed., 1994:15)