In an opioid epidemic that currently claims an average of 91 lives per day, there have been many paths to addiction. For some, it started with a fall or a sports injury, a trip to a nearby emergency room and a prescription for a narcotic pain reliever.  For others, addiction was fostered as a treatment for chronic unresolved pain. In an article written in the LA Times, new research underscores how tragically risky — and unnecessary — such prescribing choices may have been.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.