The Integration of Traditional Medicine and Modern Technology
In the consultation rooms of Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, an ancient Chinese health practice is being revitalized through Korea's unique medical philosophy.
At Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital, physicians in white coats are integrating Qigong concepts into modern treatments through specialized techniques like beauty acupuncture and Sa-am acupuncture. This leading Korean medical institution not only preserves the core of Qigong practice—body regulation, breath regulation, and mind regulation—but also combines it with modern technologies like infrared thermal imaging and terahertz wave detection, making the elusive "Qi" observable and quantifiable.
The acceptance of Qigong by the Korean medical community is not a simple replication but rather a creative transformation based on local medical concepts. Sasang medicine, as a unique theoretical system of Korean medicine, classifies people into four types—Taeyang, Soyang, Taeeum, and Soeum—based on their physiological and psychological characteristics.
Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital has not only established a dedicated Qigong guidance room but has also allocated specific human and spatial resources, applying Qigong as a formal treatment method for patients4 .
In this unique medical system, Qigong has been given distinct Korean characteristics. The successful experience of Beijing in "improving the medical and health service capacity of ecological conservation areas through district management and other models" also finds resonance in Korea's medical system1 . Korean medical institutions are radiating Qigong and other traditional therapies to a wider population through the cooperation of medical institutions at different levels.
As ancient Qigong embraces modern technology, an exploration centered on the nature of "Qi" is unfolding simultaneously in research institutions in both Korea and China.
In China, the team of Zhang Wenchun, director of the Qigong Science Research Institute at Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has innovatively adopted a dual-track approach of "traditional internal evidence + modern technology", promoting the deep integration of traditional Qigong practice with modern scientific research methods5 .
Infrared thermal imaging technology makes the flow of Qi visible to the naked eye. The research team found that when practitioners focused their attention on the dantian for 20 minutes, significant changes occurred in the real-time thermal images of the practitioners on the infrared thermal imager screen5 .
Table 1: Comparison of terahertz wave radiation intensity in individuals with different training levels
Patients with spleen yang deficiency showed characteristic low-temperature areas around the mouth, and after specialized training, the temperature in related areas could significantly increase, perfectly aligning with the TCM theory of "Qi reaching the affected area"5 .
More notably is the application of terahertz wave technology. Through core equipment like terahertz wave detection spectrometers, Zhang Wenchun's team revealed a key finding: individuals without Qigong training had lower radiation intensity, while professional Qigong practitioners showed substantially increased radiation intensity5 .
Large-sample testing confirmed that terahertz wave intensity is significantly positively correlated with years of practice5 .
Internal evidence research involves activating the human Qi (meridian and organ Qi) through Qigong practice, verifying the objective existence of human Qi through physical evidence, and exploring the characteristics and operational patterns of human Qi5 . At Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, internal observation has become a formal course.
Since 2013, Zhang Wenchun's team has held annual summer training programs on TCM internal observation, deepening participants' understanding and perception of the TCM concept of "Qi" through personal practice and discussions on Qi theory5 .
"When practicing the eighth movement of the Shape-Spirit Qigong form 'Knees Kneel on Foot Surface, Three Sections Connected,' I felt both thighs becoming extremely hot, and the perceived heat flow was much stronger than before"5 .
"At the beginning of practice, the Qi sensations I perceived were relatively coarse. With continuous practice, I gradually perceived more subtle and refined Qi"5 .
Table 2: Comparison of physiological indicators before and after Qigong training
These subjective experiences are not metaphysical but have a physiological basis. Research shows that during Qigong practice, different conscious activities can cause variations in the infrared radiation intensity of the Laogong point5 .
In the Qigong state of "calm mind, focused attention, ethereal clarity, and tranquil stillness," the efficiency of rapid reading and memorization in the brain can be significantly improved5 .
Pediatric Qigong therapy is a major innovation in Korea. At Hansori Medical Institution, to address children's fear of needles, the hospital has configured fine-needle acupuncture pens, with patients who have tried them reporting "almost no pain"4 .
The institution has also designed smooth treatment flow lines, with bright and clean environments making the patient's treatment process more relaxed, and doctor-patient interactions gentle and relaxed4 .
For respiratory treatment alone, there are four different models and functions available to treat pediatric patients4 . For children's growth traction, their electric traction beds have built-in customized treatment courses, with screens not only showing treatment progress but also playing educational videos produced by the hospital and cartoon programs children enjoy4 .
Technology empowerment is another highlight of Qigong's clinical application in Korea. Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital applies the currently popular "Lizhulan" machine, which promotes skin rejuvenation and regeneration, combined with Chinese herbal extracts, for facial medical aesthetics4 .
Addressing the smoke and dust issues of traditional moxibustion, the hospital has not only established dedicated smoke extraction spaces but also introduced electronic moxibustion, with different models designed for different body parts4 .
A randomized controlled trial on the effects of Qigong on hypertension fully demonstrates the scientific rigor of Qigong research.
Researchers recruited 120 patients with essential hypertension, randomly dividing them into three groups: Qigong group, antihypertensive medication group, and combination therapy group. The Qigong group performed 60 minutes of Qigong training daily, including the three key elements: body regulation (relaxed postures), breath regulation (deep, long breathing), and mind regulation (guided intention)5 .
Patients' blood pressure, heart rate variability, anxiety scores, and quality of life scores were measured before the study, at week 4, week 8, and week 12.
The study found that Qigong therapy, when combined with antihypertensive medication or other therapies for treating hypertension, resulted in better blood pressure control and clinical symptom management compared to single therapy alone5 .
The combination therapy group showed significant advantages in blood pressure control, symptom improvement, and quality of life enhancement.
Table 3: Effectiveness comparison of Qigong on blood pressure control in hypertension patients
Qigong research is increasingly becoming an international scientific exploration. In July 2025, at the summer training program on TCM internal observation organized by Zhang Wenchun's team, Mathieu, a doctoral student from France, shared his experience:
"Through deep relaxation during practice, I felt my body gradually loosening layer by layer from the skin, muscles, and fascia to the internal organs and joints, each layer gradually relaxing, limbs becoming soft, and heart Qi subsequently becoming smooth"5 .
An international scientific research collaboration network is taking shape. Since its establishment, the Modern Scientific Research Platform for Qi Theory has established deep research collaboration networks with universities and research institutions in multiple countries and regions, including the UK and France5 .
Through cooperation with institutions such as the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in the UK and the Chengxin College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong in France, TCM Qigong has been incorporated into the TCM curriculum systems of these institutions5 .
The 2025 Medical Qigong Academic Exchange Conference was successfully held at Hebei Rehabilitation Hospital, with special invitations to institutions including the French Reims Yidao Health Preservation Association and the Spanish Barcelona College of Traditional Chinese Medicine7 .
This international cooperation has brought broader perspectives to Qigong research. Cedric, principal of the French Chengxin College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong, stated: "The specialized exchange on Qigong therapy with Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has not only promoted the improvement of TCM Qigong medical practice levels among French students but also deepened the friendship between the two institutions"5 .
In laboratories in Seoul and Jiangxi, scientists no longer regard Qigong as metaphysical but as a bridge connecting tradition and modernity, East and West. As research deepens, this ancient practice is revealing new value under scientific scrutiny, becoming a common language that transcends cultural boundaries.