A healing technique passed on by two different Daoist lineages to our therapists, both in the top of the sacred mountains of Wudang, in the Five Immortals temple, and in a Daoist Eco-village in the middle of Brazil.
Medical Qigong: A Holistic Approach to Healing
Medical Qigong is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that encompasses a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. It promotes health and well-being by balancing the flow of qi, or vital energy, in the body.
Medical Qigong is a specialized skill of applying Qigong principles within the theory and diagnostic parameters of Chinese Medicine. The eldest therapeutic modality of Chinese Medicine, Medical Qigong is a holistic approach to healing and addresses symptoms as well as the cause of disease.
“The eldest therapeutic modality of Chinese Medicine, Medical Qigong is a holistic approach to healing and addresses symptoms as well as the cause of disease.”
As the name implies, Medical Qigong is directed under a competently trained practitioner. The term Medical comes from the latin medicus, meaning: Physician (one who is trained and qualified to practice medicine). In the case of Medical Qigong, a practitioner who is capable of making a differential diagnosis rooted in Chinese Medicine theory and who has practiced hundreds if not thousands of hours to be qualified in applying the methods.
Health Qigong (or Qigong for Health) on the other hand, is Qigong practiced and taught for personal health and wellbeing. The focus of Health Qigong can be generalized (overall health), or incredibly specific (i.e., the health of an individual organ). Regardless of scope, practices can provide fabulous health benefits.
“ Medical Qigong is usually conducted personally (one-on-one), as it involves a practice that’s specifically tailored to you and your particular medical diagnosis.”
The biggest difference between Medical Qigong and Health Qigong is the focus of practitioner training. Health Qigong is usually taught in group classes—either as a workshop, weekly class, or even online—where everyone is taught the same general practice to receive health benefits. Medical Qigong is usually conducted personally (one-on-one), as it involves a practice that’s specifically tailored to you and your particular medical diagnosis. It is a highly specialized skill requiring extensive knowledge of complex theory, anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
Types of Medical Qigong Practice
Medical Qigong is either taught as an “internal” practice of self-healing for a specific ailment and/or employed as an “external” practice whereby Qi is transmitted by the practitioner to address identified medical issues.
External Medical Qigong
External Medical Qigong practices involve the direction and transmission of Qi from practitioner to patient.
Through specific, training and with great personal cultivation, a practitioner is able to treat energetic imbalances by purging excesses, tonifying deficiencies, and harmonizing the overall energy within a patient—achieving a holistic restoration of health and balance. This is done by the process of Qi transmission.
The external application of Medical Qigong is often conducted in a clinical setting. Consequently there is a contemporary movement to rebrand Medical Qigong as Clinical Qigong.
Receiving External Qigong from a qualified practitioner can have a profound effect, and is usually combined with an Internal Qigong prescription. During a Medical Qigong treatment the practitioner often works within a few centimeters of the patient’s body and may (or may not) incorporate light touch to guide the movement of Qi.
“ During a Medical Qigong treatment the practitioner often works within a few centimeters of the patient’s body and may (or may not) incorporate light touch to guide the movement of Qi.”
The patient may experience sensations such as warmth, tingling, coolness, or vibrations as the Qi moves in the body and as the stagnant energy releases. Generally, patients experience the treatment as extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. However, as the goal of most treatments is the removal of “energetic blockages,” it’s not uncommon to experience emotional release during—and potentially after—a treatment.
Internal Medical Qigong
Medical Qigong as an internal practice utilizes and reinforces your innate capacity to heal. Self healing internal Medical Qigong may take the form of prescriptive exercises, breathing techniques, meditation practices or a combination thereof.
The internal practices employed will be specifically tailored to each individual based on their constitution, specific diagnosis, and treatment plan. As with all Medical Qigong practices, internal Qigong prescriptions originate from a differential diagnosis rooted in Chinese Medicine theory. A skilled Medical Qigong Practitioner will offer detailed guidance for the internal practices and have the knowledge to provide appropriate modifications as your diagnoses and/or prognosis changes.
“ A skilled Medical Qigong Practitioner will offer detailed guidance for the internal practices and have the knowledge to provide appropriate modifications as your diagnoses and/or prognosis changes.”
Medical Qigong is a safe and effective way to improve your health and well-being. If you are looking for a natural way to heal, reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your overall health, Medical Qigong is a great option.
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