The emerging paradigm of whole person health shares many core principles with traditional integrative health frameworks, including mindful movement practices, like tai chi/qigong. These core principles include: 1) health emerges from multi-level cross-systems interactions, including psychophysiological processes that link mind and body; 2) healthcare need to address both pathogenesis (i.e. disease) and salutogenesis (i.e. wellness), including primary and secondary prevention across the lifespan; and 3) health and wellness must consider the patient within an expanded socioecological model that takes into account the patient’s values and the context within which the person lives (e.g. relationships, community). This talk will explore mindful movement within this whole person health framework, briefly summarize evidence for the use of tai chi across multiple conditions/organ systems, then focus particularly on use of tai chi as a tool for healthy behavior change using promotion of physical activity in chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disease as an example.
Session Learning Objectives:
1.) Identify the key tenets of whole-person health.
2.) Apply knowledge of the scientific evidence for tai chi to patient care (name 3 conditions where one might recommend tai chi).
3.) Review the practical considerations for referral to mindful movement practices.