Falun Gong Health and Wellness

The Mystical Healing Powers of Falun Dafa: A Deep Dive

By Neelam Balekar, Shivani Agrawal, Subhi Jain (2023)

Abstract: Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice rooted in ancient Chinese techniques that aims to enhance the well-being of individuals through a holistic approach encompassing the body, mind, and soul. This review focuses on current research pertaining to the physical, mental, and spiritual health effects of Falun Dafa. The objective is to explore the potential benefits associated with this spiritual practice. Emerging evidence suggests that Falun Dafa may have positive influences on various hormonal factors, including cortisol, serotonin, and dopamine. Specifically, it has been observed that Falun Dafa practice is associated with decreased cortisol levels, which are indicative of reduced stress. Furthermore, practitioners have reported increased serotonin and dopamine levels, which are associated with improved mood, emotional balance, and overall well-being. These findings highlight the potential of Falun Dafa to promote a sense of harmony and equilibrium in individuals. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and comprehensively assess the impact of Falun Dafa on hormone regulation and overall health. By gaining a deeper understanding of these effects, we can potentially unlock new avenues for optimizing individual well-being through the practice of Falun Dafa.

An observational cohort study on terminal cancer survivors practicing Falun Gong (FLG) in China

By Yuhong Dong, Chian-Feng Huang, Jim Liao, Alex Chih-Yu Chen, Jason G. Liu, Kai-Hsiung Hsu for the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2020)

Background: In China, cancer patients may choose to practice FLG — the most popular Qigong since 1992 — after treatment failure, arousing great interest in the medical society. 

Methods: We collected reports from Chinese cancer patients between 2000 and 2015 via a web platform, including diagnosis, FLG practice duration, Actual Survival (AS) till report date, symptom improvement, and Quality of Life (QoL). All reports were reviewed by 2 physicians. Predicted Survival (PS) was assessed using the NIH SEER data if the treating physician’s Clinical Prediction of Survival (CPS) was unavailable. Reports of terminal cancer patients (PS ≤ 12 months) with sufficient and verifiable medical information were considered eligible. Symptom Free Survival (SFS) was also calculated. 

Results: In the web database, using the search terms “late-stage” and “cancer”, we found 406 prospective cases, wherein 152 terminal cases (PS ≤ 12 months) were deemed eligible. Primary cancer types included lung (n = 38), liver (n = 29), stomach (n = 17), leukemia (n = 12), esophagus (n = 10), gynecological (n = 9), pancreas/bile duct (n = 8), colorectal (n = 7), and others (n = 22). The onset age was 53.3±15.6 years. Among them, 65 patients experienced cancer treatment failure, 74 patients did not take any further cancer treatment after diagnosis, and 13 patients received treatment along with FLG practice. The FLG practice duration was 53.1±58.9 months. As of the report date, 149 patients were still alive. Compared with PS (5.1±2.7 months), AS was significantly prolonged to 56.0±60.1 months (P < 0.0001). CPS (5.1±2.0 months) was close to SEER survival (5.2±3.2 months), indicating the reliability of CPS and these reports. Time to Effect was 1.3±1.7 months. A total of 147 patients (96.7%) reported complete symptom recovery with 60 patients confirmed by treating physicians. Time to Symptom Recovery was 3.6±3.3 months, and SFS was 52.7±61.1 months. QoL after FLG practice significantly improved (all Ps < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed FLG practice duration was the dominating predictive factor for AS and SFS. 

Conclusions: We observed that FLG practice can help terminal cancer patients survive significantly longer, in addition to notable symptom improvement. (Faluninfo Library)

Social Construction of Falun Dafa Practitioners in Increasing the Body’s Immunity to Prevent COVID 19 Through Cultivation Practice in East Java

By Arief Sudrajat, Pambudi Handoyo, Thomas N. Aji, Sri M. Purwaningsih, Taufiq Hidayat (2020)

Abstract: The corona virus pandemic, known in its scientific language as Covid-19, is currently the most deadly health threat in the world. Death rates worldwide have reached more than 1 million. Drugs to overcome this disease have not been found so that one way to fight infection with this disease is to increase the body’s immune system so that the method is still one way to fight this virus. One of the Falun Dafa (or Falun Gong) communities in Surabaya has become one of the choices of the people of Surabaya to improve their immune system. Members of the Falun Dafa community believe that the mind and body in Falun Dafa cultivation are able to create a positive energy for themselves both mind and body to create an immune system. Along with the improvement of the body’s immune system, the body is expected to be able to fight off disease, one of which is Covid 19. The purpose of this study is to look at the cultivation pattern (practice) of the Falun Dafa community as part of efforts to increase body immunity, especially in fighting various diseases so as to increase quality of one’s life. The research method used in this study is a mixed methods method in the form of combining qualitative and quantitative methods in order to obtain an overaching perspective with the help of theory in order to obtain comprehensive, reliable, and objective research data. Research locations are in the cities of Surabaya, Sidoarjo, and Malang. That is because the Falun Dafa community can be met intensely when this community is doing the exercises. Data collection techniques are done by means of observation (observation) and interviews with people involved in the Falun Dafa community in addition to data collection done with documents in the form of books, writings and films related to the community and cultivation activities of Falun Dafa.

Healthcare Utilization and Perceived Health Status among Falun Gong Practitioners in Taiwan

By Yu-Whuei Hu, Li-Shan Huang, Eric J. Yeh, Mai He (2020)

Falun Gong (FLG) is a practice of mind and body focusing on moral character improvement that includes meditative exercises. In this study, we explored perceived health status, healthcare resource utilization, and related factors among Taiwanese FLG practitioners, compared to themselves before practicing FLG, and also to the general Taiwanese norm, as reported by the 2001 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a voluntary, paper-based survey conducted from October 2002 to Febru- ary 2003 using the same Taiwanese SF-36 instrument employed by the NHIS. Primary outcomes included 8 SF-36 domain scores and the number of outpatient visits. One-sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate linear regression analyses were used.

Results: The response rate was 75.6% (1210/1600). Compared to the norm, the study cohort had significantly higher scores in 6 of 8 SF-36 domains across sex and age (p < .05). Among those with chronic diseases, 70% to 89% reported that their conditions were improved or cured. Additionally, 74.2% and 79.2% participants stopped drinking alcohol and quit smoking; 62.7% reported decreased outpatient visits (mean before = 11.96; mean after = 5.87; norm = 14.4).

Conclusions: In this cohort, FLG participants had higher perceived health scores than the population norm and reduced outpatient visits than before practice.

Case Report: A castration-resistant terminal prostate cancer patient’s survival prolonged after practicing Falun Gong

By Yuhong Dong, Shawn Wu, Ann Corson, and Kai-Hsiung Hsu (2020)

Background: Most metastatic prostate cancer patients receive combined androgen blockade (CAB) as the mainstay of treatment. Unfortunately, patients ultimately progress to castration resistance.

Clinical finding and diagnosis: We describe a man in his eighties who developed stage IV, M1b prostate cancer, multiple (≥5) bone metastases, and required the aid of a walker to ambulate. Without treatment, his treating physician predicted he would survive 6 months.

Interventions and outcomes: The patient initially responded well to treatment with CAB, but during the 68-80th week of treatment he developed castration resistance. Bicalutamide was then discontinued. He subsequently began practicing Falun Gong (FLG) as an alternative form of care. Within one year of constant practice, he became able to walk independently, his bone metastases disappeared, and he also enjoyed better psychosocial functioning. His treating physician assessed that his prostate malignancy was “clinically, under control” and “his overall functional status is excellent.” The patient survived a total of 263 weeks (61.4 months) post diagnosis, including 174 weeks (40.6 months) after developing castration resistance.

Conclusion: This castration-resistant terminal prostate cancer patient gained significant clinical benefits after practicing Falun Gong.

Group differences between practitioners and novices in hemispheric processing of attention and emotion before and after a session of Falun Gong qigong

By Ben W. Bendig, David Shapiro, Eran Zaidel for Brain and Cognition, Volume 138 (2020)

Abstract: We examined the hemispheric effects of Falun Gong qigong (FLG), a movement meditation practice, using a systematic approach to hemispheric function by administering the Emotion Lateralized Attention Network Test (ELANT) to measure the interaction of the Conflict Resolution, Spatial Orienting, and Emotion networks. Practitioners showed emotion processing and psychophysiological differences. FLG appears to improve management of limited hemispheric attentional resources.

Use of Falun Gong to Address Traumatic Stress among Marginalized Clients

By Cirecie West-Olatunji and Margaret Trey for Psychosomatic Medicine (2020)

Abstract: Although mental health service providers have focused on the effects of trauma and related interventions for decades, little is known about pervasive and historic trauma, particularly for socially marginalized individuals. Thus, clinical issues associated with sociopolitical oppression have been under-investigated. Coupled with the lack of sufficient cultural competence when working with diverse clients, mainstream clinicians frequently lack adequate case conceptualization skills and culturally sensitive interventions to assist clients from diverse backgrounds. Using traumatic stress as a framework for exploring evidence-based interventions to address long-term, pervasive marginalization and its psychological effects, the authors propose that mindfulness techniques are particularly beneficial to this client population. The authors reviewed culture-centered interventions to address traumatic stress for marginalized client populations, focusing on the mindfulness practice of Falun Gong. Recommendations for practice include the inclusion of traumatic stress theory and techniques in pre-service training, professional development training for practitioners focusing on mindfulness techniques with clients assessed with historical trauma, and Web-based training for clinical faculty to enhance their knowledge about traumatic stress, historical trauma, and associated interventions for clients from marginalized communities. The authors offer recommendations for future research that focuses on studies exploring the usefulness of Falun Gong in working with clients with traumatic stress.

The Effect of Falun Gong on Health and Wellness as Perceived by Falun Gong Practitioners

By Margaret Trey (2020)

Abstract: The promotion of mind-body, health-wellness practices demand ongoing consideration by health professionals as more individuals are seeking alternative therapies and Eastern meditative practices for their health and wellness needs. Falun Gong presents as one such mind-body Eastern meditative spiritual cultivation practice that is gaining worldwide popularity, although knowledge of its effects, potential use in counseling and health-wellness promotion is still lacking. There is a dearth of studies investigating the effects of Falun Gong and limited information about the demographic profile of Falun Gong practitioners around the world. This research provides a demographic profile (excluding mainland China) of Falun Gong practitioners and presents the health-wellness effects of Falun Gong as perceived by Falun Gong practitioners, compared with individuals who do not practice Falun Gong. The research reveals observed similar demographic characteristics between Falun Gong and non–Falun Gong respondents. Both groups mainly comprise married females with tertiary education and professional careers. Falun Gong respondents are just like non–Falun Gong individuals—they are married, and have families and occupations in society, just like other law-abiding citizens, with the exception of their spiritual beliefs and practice, which offers them health-wellness benefits. There are observed differences between the two groups in self-reports of medical history and general health-wellness status. Falun Gong respondents are more likely to report excellent health, no or little use of medication, and less medical and health expenses compared to non–Falun Gong respondents. Falun Gong practice may have public medical and health care implications for the ageing society. The research shows that people who practice Falun Gong have more positive and optimistic perceptions of their health. They report a better health-wellness status than those who do not practice Falun Gong. The findings support Falun Gong as a beneficial mind-body, health-wellness meditative practice.

From Relaxation Response, Building Power for Health to an Advanced Self-Cultivation Practice: Genuine Well-Being

By Shawn Wu, Lin Jiang, J. Wang (2017)

Abstract: Recently, much more mind-body/mindfulness interventions have been used in different people including frail elders, patients with major depressive order, pain suffering, chronic fatigue, infection, and patients in intensive care unit, etc. In the field of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, many Chinese mind-body exercises are under very active investigation for evidence-based decision making. At the same time, there is a fact that Yoga and Health Qigong/Tai Chi, especially meditative practice based on ancient oriental civilizations, have been practiced for thousands of years and are getting more attention. The use of Traditional Chinese music as therapy was documented around 94 BC and that was foundational to traditional Chinese medicine, building power for health as well. Meditation, as a mind-body practice, originally introduced by cultivators in ancient Eastern religious and/or spiritual traditions has raised increasing awareness recently in the Western world. Medical research results suggest that the benefits of Eastern meditative practices not only include the promotion of emotional and mental health, resilience, stress and anxiety reductions, but also cure other health-related conditions. It was suggested that improvement of moral level would be of the same importance with those achieving mind-body health. Through experiential learning, and what delivering big sample size survey results and numerous case reports, the authors are illustrating the mindful practice of Falun Gong (also called “Falun Dafa”) and have real health-wellness effects to practitioners.

The Study of the Health-Wellness Effects of Falun Gong: Applications to Counseling

By Dr. Margaret Trey for the VISTAS Project, American Counseling Association (2016)

Abstract: There is growing awareness of Eastern meditative approaches in recent years in the West, and more people are turning to these practices for their health and wellness needs. Falun Gong presents as one such mind-body meditative practice. Little is known about the practice, its beneficial effects, and potential use in counseling. Based on the author’s dissertation research, the primary purpose of this paper is to introduce Falun Gong to the counseling community and to present a summary of this pioneering study completed under the auspices of the University of South Australia as partial fulfillment for the Doctor of Counseling degree. Dubbed the ‘Australian survey,’ the study explores the health-wellness effects of Falun Gong. Findings revealed that Falun Gong respondents are more likely to report excellent health, little or no use of medication, and less medical and health expenses than their friends and family who do not practice Falun Gong. Falun Gong respondents are also more optimistic about their healthwellness statuses. Data elicit interesting implications for our ageing population and counseling integration possibilities.

The Mindful Practice of Falun Gong: Meditation for Health, Wellness, and Beyond

By Dr. Margaret Trey (2016)

Summary: The Mindful Practice of Falun Gong marries research evidence with the art of storytelling. The book heralds the author’s Hearts Uplifted project that aims to revive the lived experiences of individuals whose lives have been profoundly touched and transformed by Falun Gong—a spiritual meditation practice. Drawing from a labyrinth of research findings and the on-going study, the author effectively weaves facts from the academic inquiry with a compelling story of one woman’s journey to wellness with Falun Gong. The book presents the results from the Australian survey—a doctoral study—that investigates the health-wellness effects of Falun Gong, as perceived by those who practice it.

Life and Hope Renewed: The Healing Power of Falun Dafa

By Minghui  (2008)

The amazing stories in this book are first-hand accounts of people from all walks of life who recovered from serious, or in many cases, terminal diseases through practicing Falun Dafa.

Hearts and Minds Uplifted: The Power of Falun Dafa

By Minghui  (2006)

Forty-eight experiences that illustrate how Falun Gong has spread throughout the world and is benefiting people of all ages, all nationalities, and all walks of life.

Genomic profiling of neutrophil transcripts in Asian Qigong practitioners: a pilot study in gene regulation by mind-body interaction

By the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2005)

Background and objectives: The great similarity of the genomes of humans and other species stimulated us to search for genes regulated by elements associated with human uniqueness, such as the mind-body interaction. DNA microarray technology offers the advantage of analyzing thousands of genes simultaneously, with the potential to determine healthy phenotypic changes in gene expression. The aim of this study was to determine the genomic profile and function of neutrophils in Falun Gong (FLG, an ancient Chinese Qigong) practitioners, with healthy subjects as controls.

Subjects and design: Six (6) Asian FLG practitioners and 6 Asian normal healthy controls were recruited for our study. The practitioners have practiced FLG for at least 1 year (range, 1-5 years). The practice includes daily reading of FLG books and daily practice of exercises lasting 1-2 hours. Selected normal healthy controls did not perform Qigong, yoga, t’ai chi, or any other type of mind-body practice, and had not followed any conventional physical exercise program for at least 1 year. Neutrophils were isolated from fresh blood and assayed for gene expression, using microarrays and RNase protection assay (RPA), as well as for function (phagocytosis) and survival (apoptosis).

Results: The changes in gene expression of FLG practitioners in contrast to normal healthy controls were characterized by enhanced immunity, downregulation of cellular metabolism, and alteration of apoptotic genes in favor of a rapid resolution of inflammation. The lifespan of normal neutrophils was prolonged, while the inflammatory neutrophils displayed accelerated cell death in FLG practitioners as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlating with enhanced immunity reflected by microarray data, neutrophil phagocytosis was significantly increased in Qigong practitioners. Some of the altered genes observed by microarray were confirmed by RPA.

Conclusion: Qigong practice may regulate immunity, metabolic rate, and cell death, possibly at the transcriptional level. Our pilot study provides the first evidence that Qigong practice may exert transcriptional regulation at a genomic level. New approaches are needed to study how genes are regulated by elements associated with human uniqueness, such as consciousness, cognition, and spirituality. (Faluninfo Library)

Healthcare Utilization and Perceived Health Status among Falun Gong Practitioners in Taiwan

The effect of Falun Gong on healing illnesses and keeping fit: A sampling survey of practitioners from Beijing Zizhuyuan Assistance Center

By Wang, Q., Li, N., Zheng, L., Qu, E., Tian, X., & Jing, L. from the Beijing Zizhuyuan Assistance Center (1998)

In order to understand the contribution and effects of Falun Gong on healing illnesses and keeping fit during the national upsurge of health improvement, Beijing Zizhuyuan (a big park in Beijing) Assistance Center conducted a survey in early October 1998. The objects of this study were the practitioners from several practice sites around Zizhuyuan. The method used in this study was to ask the randomly chosen practitioners to complete the questionnaires. Altogether 700 questionnaires were sent out. Of the 584 (83.4% of all investigated) responders, 174 were male and 410 female. After classification, statistical study and analytical study by a group of scientists and physicians, the results came out and showed that there were tremendous improvements in the physical conditions of these Falun Gong practitioners after they practiced Falun Gong. 96.5% of all responders reported that their disease symptoms had disappeared or been much released.

Falun Gong health effect survey of ten thousand cases in Beijing

By Dan, L., Pu, R., Li, F., Li, N., Wang, Q., Lu, Y., et al. (1998)

In February 1998, a health status survey was conducted involving 6478 Falun Dafa practitioners residing in the Dalian area of China. Among the surveyed population, 6192 (95.59%) of them suffered various diseases and medical conditions of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system, urogenital system, haemic and immune system or musculoskeletal system. The participants in the survey had practiced Falun Dafa for an average of 1.8 years, for an average of 2 hours every day.

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