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Qi Gong Is For Illness What Lamaze Is For Pregnancy by Carol Elliott, L.Ac.
Qi Gong is a breathing method, an energy method. It involves body positions, internal breathing techniques, visualizations, and awareness. The movements were designed to compensate for changes brought on by stress, illness, age, lack of good deep breathing, loss of balance, lack of concentration, diminishing strength and agility. The goal I commonly suggest to my students is that each one leave with more energy and awareness and less tension than they came with. Today in China millions of people recreate and maintain their health with simple movement and breath techniques. These exercises are easy to learn, easy to do and quickly benefit health. No acupuncture treatment or herbal prescription is going to do for a person what Qi Gong daily practice will do. While it will not take the place of herbs or acupuncture, Qi Gong is in itself a separate vital component of Chinese medicine. It has its own department in Chinese hospitals. It is an important aspect of recovering the root of health after is has been lost or damaged. An acupuncturist must be familiar with basic techniques and become confident in prescribing or referring patients to Qi Gong. Ten years ago, I referred my patients to the local martial arts schools and was stunned and surprised when they returned week after week with no compliance. Two of them weighed 250 pounds, one had a deformed lung, another was over 50 years old with vertigo; others had carpal tunnel, HIV, chronic fatigue, necrotic bone disease. They did not feel safe or comfortable attending the classes. I realized it was up to me as their practitioner, so I started a class. At first I didn't have more than a clue what to do, but I had an eager class. So I learned. And each time I performed an exercise I thought about how it might help my patients: What would it be good for? When would I use it? Who would I share it with? Who would be excited to know it? Patients, obviously, must respect their physical limitations and feel confident that they are in a safe, non-threatening environment. The best classes are often taught by those who are recovering or living with a serious health condition. These people know and understand fatigue and pain, and will offer endless understanding, compassion and support for their students. These are good classes to refer your patients to. I know several retired women who previously taught yoga, aerobics and tennis, and now teach Qi Gong to seniors. I also know several teachers who are HIV positive and women with chronic fatigue. They are good at it. People recovering their health want to breath. They want some color in their face, to smile ... they want the light back in their eyes, they want to feel some strength. Qi Gong can make that kind of difference. A quality of life difference. Any practitioner of Oriental Medicine who doesn't know Qi Gong should get a book, get some instruction, buy a video tape, prescribe and teach your patients one or two exercises, and be prepared to be amazed. Qi Gong is just as remarkable and powerful a healing system as acupuncture and herbs. Really, Qi Gong is for illness what Lamaze is for pregnancy.
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