Integrative Lifestyle Medicine: Mind-Body Movements for Patient Care

Mind-body movements such as yoga, Pilates, Tai chi, qigong, Feldenkrais Method, and the Alexander Technique are excellent movement strategies that may be incorporated into conventional rehabilitation programs. For example, mind-body exercises may be beneficial for patients with chronic lower back pain, knee osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer survivors, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and mental health (such as stress, anxiety, depression) and cognitive aging concerns.^1-9

Let’s explore simple self-care techniques clinicians can leverage to help patients use integrative healing and recovery movements. 

What Are Mind-Body Movements and Exercises?

The Lifestyle Medicine textbook by James Rippe, MD, defines mind-body medicine as “interactions among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and on the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors can directly affect health.”¹⁰ 

To provide more clarity to the various bodywork and mind-body systems, let’s look at some basic definitions:

• Yoga – “In the Western world, the term [yoga] has been associated primarily with physical postures (asanas) and coordinated, diaphragmatic breathing.” ¹¹ In the traditional practice in India, yoga is also used for spiritual enlightenment and self-knowledge. 
• Pilates – “German-born Joseph H. Pilates (1883-1967) is the creator of the Pilates system, a form of bodywork that uses controlled movements to improve strength, flexibility, balance and mental concentration.” ¹² Pilates developed many original exercise machines (such as the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, and Ladder Barrel) and created a mat exercise series.
• Tai Chi – “A traditional Chinese martial art in which a series of slow, controlled movements are made through various postures designed to develop flexibility, balance, strength, relaxation, and mental concentration.” ¹¹
• Qigong – “An ancient Chinese practice that combines internal energy, movement, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation.” ¹¹
• Feldenkrais Method – “A form of therapy devoted to improving limitations of range of motion, improving poor posture, and relieving stress,” ¹¹ developed by Ukrainian physicist Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984).
• Alexander Technique – “A form of bodily training that promotes postural health, especially of the spine, head, and neck,” ¹¹ developed by Australian actor Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869-1955).
  

Figure 1. Components of mind-body movements and exercises

Mind-body Movement Highlight: The Practical Use of Qigong

Each of the six common mind-body movements have their own unique uses and benefits for patient care—let’s take a closer look at qigong.

There are many forms of qigong, such as the Eight Section Brocade qigong (also known as Baduanjin), Five Animals Play Qigong (Wuqinxi), Muscle Tendon/Changing Qigong (Yijinjing), Six Healing Sounds Qigong (Liuzijue), Standing Qigong (Zhan Zhuang), and Relaxation Qigong (Fangsonggong).¹³

To understand the practical use of qigong, we can examine the benefits of Baduanjin. Studies have shown that Baduanjin may be used for patients with COPD, mild cognitive impairment, heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, knee osteoarthritis, depression and anxiety, and sleep disturbances.^14-20

Baduanjin uses eight gentle, dynamic upper and lower body stretching and strengthening movements that integrate various postures, diaphragmatic breathing, body awareness, focused attention, and imagery.²¹

Let’s take a look at Figure 2 for an adapted basic 8-step Baduanjin routine that may be used for patient care:

Figure 2. Eight-step adapted Baduanjin routine. Photos © 2021 by Z Altug. 

Interested in exploring the six mind-body movements and exercises further? You can learn more about including integrative movements into your practice with these resources:

• Alexander Technique International
• International Association of Yoga Therapists
• International Feldenkrais Federation
• International Medical Tai Chi and Qigong Association
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Pilates Method Alliance

To learn more about the various opportunities for incorporating lifestyle medicine into your clinical practice, MedBridge instructor Lynn Steffes offers a series of courses that explore the role of prescribed diet and exercise, as well as comprehensive instructions, tools, and resources to strengthen your lifestyle medicine skills.