MEDICAL QIGONG

Medical Qigong is the oldest modality of traditional Chinese medicine. Its origins date back about 5000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) developed out of experiences accumulated over thousands of years in the battle against disease. The roots of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Chinese massage, lay in the practice of Medical Qigong. It is considered an important and effective method of treating and even preventing disease.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Medical Qigong, like other Chinese medical practices, has been built on the concept of “Qi” (energy). This modality especially emphasizes the smooth circulation of Qi. With proper balance and the quality of its circulation, and how to use it to prevent disease. According to Chinese philosophy everything in the Universe is an expression of Qi, in all its varying forms. Essentially this life force energy is what sustains life - without it life ceases to exist. Disease is caused by a build up of too much energy, insufficient energy, stagnant energy, or an imbalance of energy within the internal organs. The Chinese believe that the underlying cause for most diseases are negative emotions, improper diet, too much stress, and living conditions or life style habits. They are all considered an expression of Qi. Cancer could be considered an example of stagnant energy. There are two forces of Nature called Yin and Yang. To have harmony these two forces must be in balance. Medical Qigong Therapists can help achieve this proper balance.

Medical Qigong Sessions
A Medical Qigong session is approximately one hour. Initial sessions may be longer.

Evaluation
At this time the practitioner makes observations to determine the physical, emotional, and energetic condition of the client. Based on this information the practitioner will formulate a treatment protocol.

Treatment
Qi can pass through air and clothing, so there is no need to disrobe. The practitioner often works about a foot away from the client's body, and sometimes lightly touches the client to guide and manipulate the movement of Qi. The client may feel varying sensations as the Qi moves, such as warmth, tingling, coolness, vibration, and sometimes twitching as the stagnant energy releases.

Generally, clients find the treatments extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. Sometimes clients may become aware of uncomfortable emotions that have been suppressed and have an emotional release either during or after the treatment. As one of the primary goals of Medical Qigong therapy is to release toxic emotions from within the body's tissues, having an emotional release is extremely beneficial to one's psychological and physiological well-being.

Prescriptions
After the treatment the client will be given Qigong prescriptions to assist in their ongoing healing. These Medical Qigong exercises and meditations are tailored specifically to the clients, similar to an acupuncturist prescribing healing herbs or a medical doctor giving a pharmaceutical prescription