Questions and Answers on the Contemplative Practice of the Four Establishments of Mindfulness 6

Question: Recently my legs have been cramping. Will meditation cause arthritis in my ankles? 

Answer: Meditation is not the cause of illness, but rather a method for uncovering hidden ailments. Certain parts of the body already have illnesses that simply have not yet manifested. During meditation, when the qi and meridian channels run to a part of the body where there is an ailment, they are obstructed and cannot pass through, and the hidden illness then manifests. Arthritis and leg cramps are both temporary phenomena that arise during meditation; once the qi and meridian channels pass through, the afflicted places such as the legs and feet can be healed. However, if the ailment is rather serious, one should use medicine to treat it, in hopes of overcoming the illness as soon as possible, and not force oneself to endure it.