Medical Qigong is a holistic health care system that identifies the root causes of disease and uses energy as a conduit to facilitate healing. The Medical Qigong practitioner may prescribe exercises, meditations and healing practices tailored specifically to each patient with the goal of restoring health. As such, qigong acts as an excellent complement to Western medicine, or it may even be used exclusively to treat symptoms deemed resistant to Western medicine and/or prescription drugs.

The human body is a magnificent structure which possesses an enormous and persistent capacity to be self-healing. The ancient Chinese understood this phenomenon and developed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a series of energy guiding Qigong exercises to support our bodies’ natural ability to heal.

Qi translated as “life energy”, “life force”, or “energy flow” is the central underlying principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine asserts that the body has natural patterns of qi that circulate in channels called meridians. In TCM, symptoms of various illnesses are believed to be the product of disrupted, blocked, or unbalanced qi. Traditional Chinese medicine often seeks to relieve these imbalances by adjusting the circulation of qi using a variety of techniques including Qigong.

Qigong pronounced ‘chee’ ‘gung’ – is one of the four ancient Chinese medical practices involving coordinated breathing, movement, self-massage and awareness and used to cure disease and cultivate a healthy body and mind.

In order to understand how Qigong achieves this, imagine a garden hose – water flows freely if there are no obstructions in the hose. If there is a kink or constriction in the hose, water (Qi) doesn’t flow. You get excess (Qi) on one side of the kink and deficiency on the other. The stretching, movements and breathing of Qigong elongate the hose and release the blockages caused by trauma, stress, poor diet, medications, hereditary conditions, environmental factors or excessive emotional issues. This balanced even flow of energy or Qi assures the health of your organs, nerves, glands and cells by stimulating the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Qigong Classes and Medical Qigong Treatment Services to prevent and treat illness, reduce stress, and enhance the body’s immune system.

Medical Qigong sessions typically last about one hour to an hour & a half. This may vary depending on the nature of the client’s condition, and/or other existing factors.

During the initial client interview, the Medical Qigong practitioner evaluates the clients physical, emotional, and energetic condition. Based on the information learned from this initial session, the practitioner may then prescribe a treatment program.

Treatment:

Since physical barriers do not impede the flow of qi, there is no need for the client to undress. Standing near the client, the Medical Qigong practitioner may be expected to gently touch key areas of the body to facilitate energy flow and promote healing. The purpose of the treatment is twofold:

1) to release qi blockages that represent the root cause of the ailment or disease

2) to restore qi flow, strengthen any deficiencies, and rejuvenate the body to a balanced state.

When stagnant or toxic energy is released, the client may experience sensations such as warmth, tingling, or even muscle twitching. These sensations represent qi as it flows throughout the body. Some may even feel a sudden emotional outpouring, as long-standing, harmful emotions are purged and qi is restored. Whatever the case, many find the treatments rejuvenating and highly beneficial.

Health benefits in qigong practice: A compelling body of scientific research shows a wide range of positive health benefits are realized with regular Qigong practice. The studies have shown that qigong practice results in the improvement of many physiological and psychological factors such as increased bone health, cardiopulmonary fitness, physical function, fall prevention and balance, strengthened immune system, reduced anxiety, depression and improved general quality of life of its practitioners.

An analysis of Qigong interventions, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion also concluded that consistent, significant results for a number of health benefit had a positive effect on:

– Asthma
– Arthritis
– Cancer treatment support
– Depression
– Fibromyalgia
– Hypertension
– Obesity
– Parkinsons disease
– Enhancing general wellness
– Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Health benefits of Qigong is a preventive and self-healing art which leads to self-awareness, tranquility, and harmony with nature. Through the practice of qigong the practitioner can control reactions to stress, reducing or eliminating such symptoms as high blood pressure, frustration, or anxiety. Qigong practice improves strength, stamina, coordination, speed, flexibility, balance, and resistance to injury.

Because qigong includes both dynamic and gentle techniques that can be practiced from standing, seated, or supine postures, it is suitable for young and old. Practices can be tailored to individual needs making it an ideal aid to recovery from illness or injury.