What are your thoughts and experience with Qigong, Acupuncture and Acupressure?

[Thought Art]

Reading about this online suggests that western science does not believe in Qi, meridians or that these practices are effective. However, I know so many people who claim to have been helped by these practices. I personally love the practice of Qigong which I believe has helped me to greatly lower stress levels, regulate my emotions, reduce lower back pain and more. When I teach my students many have told me "I've never felt this relaxed" which makes me cry with joy. 

But, science around Qigong is limited and I think there is a lot of western bias against it. 

It's troubling when I experience good things and then come across scientists calling things like Qigong quackery but then at the same time finding tonnes of evidence for deep breathing, stretching, meditation, yoga etc all which are similar to or the building blocks of Qigong. 

I teach Qigong and see the benefits first hand with my students who often message me to tell me how great they feel after the practice and the day(s) following. If you go to any Qigong youtube channel its obvious people love and benefit from the practice. 

Thousands if not millions of people practice Qigong but its not well studied. 

Millions of people love acupuncture, but again... a lot of western scientists don't believe it works. Yet, I know of many stories of western doctors eventually discovering it works and that more and more these practices are being understood and accepted.

Wikipedia calls Qigong and acupuncture and TCM in generally quackery and pseudoscience. Now, I am not saying all the claims are true because there are many but... For basic self care, relaxation, better sleep, fitness, energy etc Qigong works. And, the Qi is just obvious after you have practiced it for a few months. It's almost shocking.

I don't know what to make of modern science. It seems biased against Traditional Chinese medicine. Are these simply two different medical paradigms that don't see eye to eye? Or am I simply self deceived in thinking Qigong, acupressure, massage and Acupuncture are effective in treating things like pain, depression, energy, anxiety etc... 

I don't think it's the case. The research is mixed. I just think I was hoping to find more STRONG evidence in the scientific literature. There seems to be moderate evidence from the studies... There is also 3000 types of Qigong which I think also makes it hard to study. Each movement address different body parts, organs, emotions etc so its definitely hard to study.

Qigong also actually makes use of the placebo affect... Where the mind go the Qi flows. So, its a direct slap in the face of people trying to rule out placebo.... 

Anyway, just popping this here. I feel annoyed because I know that Qigong is a powerful practice for me spiritually, physically and mentally but I want more science out there to show this. However, both Qigong and Acupressure don't fit well or study well in the western model of science. 

Edited December 21, 2021 by Thought Art