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Ancient Chinese Breathwork Beats High Blood Pressure
22 Feb
Summary
- Baduanjin, a 1,000-year-old Chinese practice, effectively lowers blood pressure.
- The routine involves slow arm movements and deep breathing for 10-15 minutes.
- Its effectiveness rivals brisk walking and some first-line medications.
A nearly 1,000-year-old Chinese practice, known as baduanjin, is emerging as a potent method for reducing high blood pressure. This traditional breath-work routine, involving a series of eight slow, low-impact arm movements and deep breathing exercises, requires only 10 to 15 minutes to perform.
Researchers in Beijing studied over 200 individuals with hypertension, dividing them into groups practicing baduanjin, self-directed exercise, or brisk walking. After a year, the baduanjin group experienced blood pressure reductions comparable to those who took brisk walks.
This finding suggests baduanjin offers a significant alternative to conventional moderate exercise, such as brisk walking or swimming, which are recommended by the NHS. Given its simplicity and safety, baduanjin is highlighted as an accessible and scalable lifestyle intervention for managing hypertension.
