Qigong for Fibromyalgia

We all experience discomfort, such as aches and pains, sleep deprivation, brain fog, anxiety, and low mood, that can negatively affect how we function. Although these problems are temporary for many of us, it’s easy to see the domino effect that even one such issue could have on our daily lives. Yet millions of people — including fibromyalgia patients — suffer from chronic pain that can make almost every aspect of daily life difficult.

Here’s how practicing qigong regularly can provide pain relief for fibromyalgia, which in turn can reduce other major symptoms of the disorder.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a neurological disorder that disrupts the nervous system’s processing of sensory signals, leading to heightened pain sensitivity and frequent musculoskeletal pain. This disorder is also marked by poor sleep, which in turn leads to fatigue, problems with memory and other cognitive functions, and poor mood regulation. As you can imagine, all of this can make life extremely difficult for FM patients, who account for about four million adults in the US alone.

Yet certain healthy lifestyle choices can improve the quality of life for people with FM—including regularly practicing the healing art of qigong.

Qigong Can Alleviate Fibromyalgia Symptoms

As an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine, qigong promotes mind-body awareness, strength, beneficial breathing techniques, and balance. As a gentle form of circulation-improving exercise and stress-reducing meditation, however, it offers a surprising array of benefits accessible to people of all ages—including pain and impact-sensitive fibromyalgia patients. Qigong has been proven to offer natural relief for fibromyalgia symptoms, including the following:

• • Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Sleep disturbance

Studies also indicate that qigong is generally well tolerated by FM patients and does not worsen symptoms of the disorder. This means that although every patient’s results will vary, qigong is a safe form of self-intervention well worth trying. It can be done almost anywhere, in nearly any-sized space, and people with FM can easily find in-person or online classes to suit their individual needs.

Please consult your doctor to determine if qigong is a good fit for you.

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Enhance Your Nervous System Health with the Tai Chi Foundation 

Whether you’re a healthy, active adult or living with fibromyalgia or other neurological challenges, you can improve your quality of life by practicing qigong and tai chi.

There are over 250 Tai Chi Foundation-affiliated instructors teaching tai chi classes in 20 cities worldwide, making the world a healthier and more mindful place.

You can learn about qigong and tai chi by exploring the Tai Chi Foundation’s (TCF) various offerings. TCF provides live online courses, allowing you to participate in guided sessions from the comfort of your home. These virtual classes offer unique opportunities to connect with experienced instructors, ensuring you receive personalized guidance and feedback.

Additionally, TCF offers on-demand classes on Teachable, providing a flexible and accessible way to learn at your own pace. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, these online resources present a wealth of knowledge to enhance your tai chi journey.

For those seeking a more hands-on experience, be sure to check out the in-person course offerings of TCF’s affiliated local schools.

Visit the TCF Shop to find our stylish signature tai chi t-shirts!

Stay inspired by staying current with all our classes, retreats, and events. Sign up here for the TCF newsletter.

TCF is a not-for-profit educational organization that promotes, funds, and teaches programs that help people everywhere learn tai chi chuan and embody its principles.

By JM Muhlfriedel

© Tai Chi Foundation 2026

Photography by Kindle Media on Pexels