Qigong is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medication and is used as a form of therapeutic and preventive health care. Qi is known as the life force of the body that helps maintain and strengthen life. Qigong physically trains a person to exercise and control his energy for his own good and if he becomes an expert qigong practitioner, he can even manipulate his qi to treat others.
Qigong is based on Taoist philosophy and has two forms called “hard” and “soft” qigong. One example of hard qigong is the very popular Shaolin kungfu. Tai chi is an example of “Soft” qigong, which also known as inner qigong.
Medical qigong is another aspect of qigong that involves meditation combined with exercises. The objective of qi exercises is to bring the practitioner to a state of meditation. Anxiety and despair are driven away during meditation. Great confidence combined with healthy thinking is affirmed. Focus is readily attained. This exercise will lead to the person gaining control of his body which then results in good feelings about his or her life. In turn, the flow of qi and blood will increase in his body.
Exercise is vital for patients and any age group who desire to attain good health and a peaceful mind. Qigong is very effective in the treatment of physical and mental stress. It allows people to gain increased amounts of stamina and energy, and helps slow down the aging process. However, it won’t work in medical emergencies and in the treatment of acute illness. It is however, effective in treating or preventing chronic disease, disabilities, and conditions.
The first World Conference for Qigong Medical Research was held Beijing, China in 1988. This was later followed by a series of conferences held in New York City, Berkeley, and Tokyo. This was the time when medical researchers, physiologists, and psychologists began to study qigong as an alternative form of treatment for health problems. To promote qigong exercise to other people, several qigong organizations have been established outside of China.
Qigong bolsters the mechanisms that help improve bowel movement, relieve stress, and the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Chinese physicians have utilized qigong in their clinics and hospitals to address the suffering of individuals from a range of ailments. These include arthritis, allergies, bowel problems, asthma, diabetes, constipation, gout, gastritis, heart disease, headaches and high blood pressure. The list is quite extensive and include among others liver disease, chronic kidney disease, myopia, lower back pain, neurasthenia, obesity, retinopathy, paralysis caused by external injury, sciatic neuralgia, rheumatism, stress, sleeplessness, peripheral vascular disease and ulcers.
Qigong is now used to treat cancer symptoms and eliminate or alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It works well in the treatment of cerebral palsy, aphasia, Parkinson disease multiple sclerosis, and post-stroke syndrome as well in the treatment of all sorts of chronic disorders of the respiratory, digestive, nervous and cardiovascular systems and of chronic pain.
This ancient healing art can practically help combat any type of illness. It helps strengthen patients’ inner energy thereby increasing their chance to survive from many illnesses, which Western physicians may deem untreatable.
But as with any other therapy, qigong needs to be trained and learned under the supervision of a licensed Chinese medical physician. Beginners require help from a qigong practitioner or doctor who are willing to offer proper guidance and advice. Qigong requires persistence and discipline to attain desired results.