Qigong Healing — Overview and Principles¶
Medical Qigong is a branch of Chinese qigong focused on using qi to prevent and support disease treatment. It is one of the oldest applications of Tai Chi and qigong in general.
Important: Medical qigong complements, does not replace modern medicine.
Three foundational principles¶
1. Qi-blood circulation is the root of health¶
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), disease arises when qi-blood is not flowing (qi stagnation, blood stasis) or insufficient (qi deficiency, blood deficiency). Qigong helps: - Circulate qi-blood through meridians - Supplement qi for weak organs - Regulate yin-yang
2. Intention leads qi — The key mechanism¶
Principle: intention (yi) can lead qi to the area needing healing.
- When you focus intention on a body area, qi increases circulation there
- When you breathe deeply into a painful area, qi and blood both arrive
- When you relax, qi is not blocked by muscle tension
3. Self-healing — The body has inherent recovery ability¶
The body has inherent self-healing capacity. Qigong helps activate and enhance this: - Immune system works better - Inflammation is controlled - Damaged cells recover faster
Six basic qigong exercises for health¶
1. Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)¶
- Purpose: Gather qi, open meridians
- Time: 5-20 minutes
- Effect: Foundation for all other qigong
- Suitable for: Everyone, including beginners
2. Abdominal Breathing (Dantian)¶
- Purpose: Gather qi at dantian, strengthen root qi
- Time: 5-10 minutes
- Effect: Reduce stress, improve digestion, increase immunity
- Suitable for: Everyone, especially the weak
3. Lifting the Sky¶
- Purpose: Open lungs, regulate qi
- Time: 5-10 minutes
- Effect: Improve breathing, reduce shoulder tension
- Suitable for: People with respiratory issues, asthma
4. Pushing Down (An Di)¶
- Purpose: Bring qi down to feet, stabilize blood pressure
- Time: 5 minutes
- Effect: Lower blood pressure, stabilize mood
- Suitable for: People with high blood pressure
5. Waist Rotation (Cloud Hands)¶
- Purpose: Rotate hips, open meridians in waist
- Time: 5 minutes
- Effect: Reduce back pain, improve digestion
- Suitable for: People with back pain, poor digestion
6. Ma Tsai (Mars)¶
- Purpose: Warm kidneys, strengthen essence, nourish qi
- Time: 10-15 minutes
- Effect: Increase vitality, improve sleep
- Suitable for: People with chronic fatigue, insomnia
Qigong for common health problems¶
| Problem | Qigong Exercise | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Insomnia | Abdominal breathing + Ma Tsai | Practice evening, 30 min before bed |
| High blood pressure | Pushing Down + Abdominal breathing | Practice regularly, monitor BP |
| Back pain | Waist rotation + Standing meditation | Don't practice during acute pain |
| Poor digestion | Abdominal breathing + Waist rotation | Practice 1 hour after meals |
| Asthma | Lifting the Sky + Abdominal breathing | Deep inhale, slow exhale |
| Mild depression | Abdominal breathing + Full 24-form | Combine with psychological treatment |
| Chronic fatigue | Ma Tsai + Standing meditation | Start slow, gradually increase |
When to see a doctor before practicing¶
- Severe cardiovascular disease (post-MI, severe heart failure)
- Unstable blood pressure
- Acute asthma
- Pregnancy (some exercises unsuitable)
- Taking anticoagulants
- Unstable mental health
My advice¶
After 6 years of practice and observing many practitioners, I realize:
Qigong is neither miracle cure nor superstition. It is a complementary method with historical foundation and growing modern scientific recognition.
Correct approach: 1. Practice regularly more than practice a lot 2. Combine with modern medicine — don't skip medication 3. Be patient — effects come after 3-6 months, not 1 week 4. Find a good teacher if you want to go deep — books only give you the map, not the experience of walking