Cover Story: Controversial Mind-Body Therapy Attracts Over 1 Million Chinese Seeking Miraculous Cures

Zhou Xing’s mother, diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer, refused doctor-recommended surgery for three years, instead putting her trust in Mongolian mind-body interactive (MBI) therapy offered by Ajitai Health Group. MBI therapy, which involves daily participatory sessions with music, movement, and patient testimonials of miraculous recoveries, caused significant distress and conflict within Zhou’s family until her mother finally agreed to surgery. This personal struggle highlights the broader tension in China between faith in alternative therapies and mainstream medicine, as promoted by Ajitai and its founder, Nagon Bilig. Ajitai claims to provide low-cost treatments for a variety of ailments and has attracted over one million patients through its expansive network and marketing strategies [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4][para. 5].

Ajitai runs more than 100 centers in China and Singapore, supported by over 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million) in investments in wellness retreats. Its mobile app has nearly 1 million registered users, with 20,000 participating daily. The therapy sessions blend modern psychology with traditional Chinese and Mongolian medicine but have raised concerns among families and the medical establishment over their unverified claims, the line between psychological comfort and actual medical treatment, and the potential dangers for those who abandon conventional care [para. 4][para. 5][para. 6].

The structure of MBI therapy involves music, light exercise, and hours of testimonials by individuals sharing stories of improbable recoveries, often presented as scientific achievements. Central to the program is the belief in therapeutic “energy,” and the therapy is promoted as “scientific, effective, and specialized,” though much of the explanation veers into pseudoscience, such as attributing effects to the manipulation of dark matter. While some participants report psychological benefits, critics say the evidence for physical healing is lacking, and claims about miracles may mislead vulnerable patients into forgoing standard treatments, sometimes with fatal consequences, as in the case of a lung cancer patient who died despite being presented as a success story in testimonials [para. 7][para. 8][para. 9][para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17][para. 18][para. 19].

Nagon Bilig began developing and promoting MBI therapy in the late 1990s, founding Ajitai Health Group, which has grown to include wellness parks, hospitals, and tourism activities. The flagship wellness park opened in 2016 following a 300-million-yuan investment, welcoming over 200,000 visitors within two years. Major projects and numerous hospital partnerships illustrate the broad reach and growing financial interests of Ajitai. Nagon's enterprises have diversified, and the company now targets younger age groups, including children and teenagers, promoting sessions to families with claims about absorbing beneficial energy [para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28][para. 29][para. 30].

MBI therapy’s formal inclusion in state-backed medical insurance in 2019 significantly propelled Ajitai’s expansion by lessening costs for patients. By 2023, 72 hospitals offered insurance reimbursement for MBI therapy. However, this prompted a surge of participation, with one hospital reporting 84,000 annual visits. Allegations of unnecessary hospitalization and insurance abuse led to the suspension of reimbursements and a barrage of complaints from concerned families. Authorities have since investigated, finding suspicious data and halting reimbursements, yet some hospitals continue supporting MBI sessions for their revenue-generating potential. A magazine accused Ajitai of defrauding the state of 1 billion yuan annually, a claim the company denies [para. 31][para. 32][para. 33][para. 34][para. 35][para. 36][para. 37][para. 38][para. 39][para. 40][para. 41][para. 42][para. 43][para. 44][para. 45][para. 46].