In a fast-paced world where stress and illness seem to lurk around every corner, people are increasingly seeking holistic approaches to improve their physical and mental well-being. One such practice that has gained popularity in recent years is Medical Qigong, an ancient Chinese healing art that harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of Medical Qigong, its history, principles, benefits, and how it can be incorporated into your modern lifestyle.
What is Medical Qigong?
Medical Qigong is a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been practiced for over 4,000 years. It involves the cultivation and balance of one's vital energy, known as "Qi" or "Chi," through movement, breath control, meditation, and intention. Unlike other forms of Qigong, Medical Qigong focuses specifically on healing and improving health.
The Principles of Medical Qigong

1. Qi Cultivation: At the core of Medical Qigong is the concept of Qi. Practitioners learn to cultivate, circulate, and direct this vital energy within their bodies. It is believed that when Qi flows smoothly, health is optimized, and illnesses are prevented.
2. Mind-Body Connection: Medical Qigong emphasizes the mind's role in health and healing. Through meditation and focused intention, practitioners can balance their emotions and thoughts, promoting both mental and physical well-being.
3. Meridian System: Similar to acupuncture, Medical Qigong works with the body's meridian system, a network of energy pathways. By clearing blockages and enhancing the flow of Qi along these meridians, practitioners aim to restore balance and vitality.
4. Breath Control: Proper breathing techniques are integral to Medical Qigong. Deep, slow, and mindful breathing helps to oxygenate the body, relax the mind, and facilitate the movement of Qi.

Benefits of Medical Qigong

1. Stress Reduction: Modern life can be incredibly stressful, and chronic stress can lead to a range of health issues. Medical Qigong promotes relaxation and reduces stress, which in turn can improve overall well-being.
2. Enhanced Energy: Regular practice of Medical Qigong can boost energy levels, helping individuals feel more vibrant and alive.
3. Pain Management: Many people turn to Medical Qigong to manage chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. The improved circulation and Qi flow can alleviate pain.
4. Improved Immune Function: A balanced Qi system supports a strong immune system, making the body more resistant to illness.
5. Emotional Balance: Medical Qigong can help regulate emotions, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
6. Enhanced Focus and Clarity: The meditative aspect of Medical Qigong can sharpen mental clarity and concentration.

Incorporating Medical Qigong into Your Life

1. Find a Qualified Instructor: To learn Medical Qigong, it's essential to find a qualified instructor who can guide you through the practice and provide personalized instruction.
2. Consistent Practice: Like any form of exercise or meditation, consistency is key to experiencing the benefits of Medical Qigong. Aim for regular practice sessions to see positive changes in your health and well-being.
3. Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques from your Medical Qigong practice into your daily life. Pay attention to your breath, emotions, and body sensations to stay grounded and balanced.
4. Holistic Wellness: Consider integrating Medical Qigong into a broader wellness routine that includes a healthy diet, regular exercise, and other self-care practices.​
   

Medical Qigong is a powerful and time-tested approach to holistic health and healing. By cultivating Qi, balancing the mind and body, and aligning with the principles of this ancient practice, individuals can experience profound improvements in their overall well-being. As we navigate the demands of modern life, practices like Medical Qigong provide us with valuable tools to maintain health, reduce stress, and enhance our quality of life. If you're looking for a path to wellness that goes beyond the conventional, Medical Qigong may be a transformative journey worth exploring.

In the past year, and really more than half of my life, I have been studying the art of manifestation and creating my perfect life.  In order to create manifest attract or even take actions and make choices towards a goal, you need to have positive feelings and imagine yourself having it etc. Through out my life I have been able to do some big things by doing this work, but eventually my fears, negative beliefs resentments bad past experiences resurface and I fall back into old patterns of lack and self doubt. We spend a lot of time on affirmations and dreaming about all we want to feel but 85 percent of our thoughts are unconscious and negative feelings, beliefs, and fears about what we want to create will stop that intention. Basically, affirmations are like putting yummy whip cream and cherry on top of a shit sunday. I can’t pretend that don’t have some serious strong beliefs that although do not completely hold me back, they definitely flavor my actions and results. 

One day in my office, after another round of affirmations, calling out to my higher power, how I can heal, create abundance, be free from this fear and instability. Begging, calling out, surrendering to the possibility that maybe I am meant to go backwards financially after making a big painful scary change in my life. It’s been slower than it has in the past two years ironically right after I take a leap of faith and more than double my normal living expenses. I looked at a flyer that someone slid under the door. Someone was offering EFT. 

A light went off. 

Now, It always did feel a little ridiculous to me, repeating out loud what’s wrong and that “I love and accept myself anyway?”. So silly . Why would the answer be so easy and free? Everything you need to know about EFT is free, and it has been since I first was told about it almost 20 years ago.


But, Um, wait a minute, 

1. I am an acupuncturist, I already do similar work with my patients, I have known how to do EFT since I was studying acupuncture.
2. Ive been wanting to change my business to both body work but to expand on the life coaching spiritual coaching that fulfills me. When they are open, I give my patients homework, and try to give my patients skills that they can take home and do that anytime to heal themsleves and do their own work. With tapping, they can take control of their own feelings and stuck patterns, blocks and emotion that are holding them back from healing.  

EFT tapping is a body-centric therapy that combines elements of cognitive and exposure therapy you may already use, with light pressure on acupoints. Tapping is a way to take the charge out of those thoughts and experiences so the feelings and images when you imagine yourself healed, relieved, in love, abundant can be the goal for your brain to strive to reach. 
In my practice, I find that doing acupuncture and acupressure points while talking about something that got up emotional charge or a bad memory or a trauma. Acupuncture uses needles on these points, to
release stuck, stagnant energy and rebalance the system; acupressure uses finger pressure. EFT has been called a psychological version of acupuncture, as the simple process of tapping certain acupoints while focusing on an emotional upset has the effect of releasing the intense charge of troubling emotions. Take the charge out of the experience and help somebody feel better about it.

But, keeping the faith, although mixed with deep fear and doubt, I am trusting that being slow was probably the perfect place that I needed to be. The cool thing is that, If it weren’t slow, how could I have had the time to obsess and learn everything I could about EFT, add time onto my clients sessions to practice with them?  I also would have never called out with passion and desperateness for answers.

The message  to practice and teach EFT came loud and clear, and I hit the books and the classes, remembering, relearning, letting go of my disbelief and judgement and most important using it on myself again and my patients.

I am currently practicing on whomever wants to add the extra time to their treatments and eventually it will be a normal part of my practice. 

EFT Manual
https://eftinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/EFT-International-Free-Tapping-Manual.pdf

Here are few links to some research and the last link is to your own search because there are many more. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33293201/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6381429/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9020420/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26894319/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830716301069?via%3Dihub

Or to do your own search on research go to this link 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=eft%20emotional%20freedom

Reiki, a holistic healing practice rooted in ancient traditions, has gained attention for its potential health benefits. While the mechanisms underlying Reiki remain a subject of ongoing research, several scientific perspectives suggest that it may offer various advantages to both physical and psychological well-being.

1. Stress Reduction:
One of the most well-documented effects of Reiki is its ability to induce a state of deep relaxation. Scientifically, this relaxation response can be explained as the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to reduced heart rate and blood pressure. Multiple studies have shown that Reiki sessions can significantly decrease stress levels, which, in turn, can have a positive impact on overall health.
2. Pain Management:
Studies have suggested that Reiki may help alleviate pain by modulating the perception of pain. This could be attributed to the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, or other mechanisms related to the body's pain processing pathways. While more research is needed, some individuals have reported reduced pain intensity and improved pain tolerance after Reiki sessions.
3. Enhanced Mood and Well-Being:
Reiki has been associated with improved mood and emotional well-being. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, it is plausible that Reiki sessions trigger the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are linked to feelings of happiness and well-being. This effect may explain why some recipients report reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression.
4. Immune System Support:
There is limited evidence suggesting that Reiki may have a positive impact on the immune system. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, Reiki may indirectly support immune function. Chronic stress is known to weaken the immune system, and Reiki's stress-reduction effects could help maintain a healthier immune response.
5. Improved Sleep:
Sleep disturbances are common in today's fast-paced world. Reiki's ability to induce relaxation and reduce stress may lead to improved sleep quality. Better sleep, in turn, can have a profound impact on overall health and cognitive function.
6. Enhanced Energy Flow:
Reiki helps balance the body's energy flow, potentially supporting overall vitality. This concept aligns with traditional Chinese medicine's notion of "qi" or life force energy.
Conclusion:
While more research is needed to fully understand the scientific mechanisms behind Reiki, there is evidence to suggest that this holistic practice can positively impact various aspects of physical and psychological health. It is essential to view Reiki as a complementary approach that may enhance conventional medical treatments and promote overall well-being. As the scientific community continues to explore the benefits of Reiki, individuals seeking alternative therapies for stress reduction, pain management, and emotional well-being may find value in this ancient practice.
Reiki has been the subject of scientific research to evaluate its potential effects and benefits. Here is a list of some scientific studies conducted on Reiki:

1. "Effects of Reiki on Autonomic Activity Early after Acute Coronary Syndrome"
   
   • Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2010.
   • Investigated the effects of Reiki on heart rate variability and other cardiac parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
2. "Pilot Crossover Trial of Reiki Versus Rest for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue"
   
   • Published in Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2018.
   • Explored the impact of Reiki on cancer-related fatigue and the quality of life in cancer patients.
3. "Effects of Reiki on Pain and Vital Signs When Applied to the Incision Area of the Body after Cesarean Section Surgery: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Double- Controlled Study"
   
   • Published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2017.
   • Examined the effects of Reiki on postoperative pain and vital signs in women who underwent cesarean section surgery.
4. "Effects of Reiki on Post-cesarean Delivery Pain, Anxiety, and Hemodynamic Parameters: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial"
   
   • Published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2016.
   • Investigated the impact of Reiki on postoperative pain, anxiety, and hemodynamic parameters in women following cesarean delivery.
5. "Reiki Therapy for Symptomatic Relief in Patients with Cancer"
   
   • Published in Cancer, 2003.
   • Explored the effects of Reiki on pain, depression, and quality of life in cancer patients.
6. "The Effects of Reiki Therapy and Companion Interaction on Pain in Community-Dwelling Adults"
   
   • Published in Pain Management Nursing, 2014.
   • Investigated the influence of Reiki therapy on pain perception in community-dwelling adults.
7. "Effects of Reiki on Pain and Well-being in Patients with Fibromyalgia"
   
   • Published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2008.
   • Examined the impact of Reiki on pain and overall well-being in fibromyalgia patients.
8. "Reiki for Depression and Anxiety"
   
   • Published in Psychiatric Services, 2017.
   • Investigated the potential benefits of Reiki as an adjunctive therapy for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in individuals with psychiatric disorders.
9. "Effect of Reiki Therapy on Pain and Anxiety in Adults: An In-Depth Literature Review of Randomized Trials with Effect Size Calculations"
   
   • Published in Pain Management Nursing, 2016.
   • Conducted a comprehensive review of randomized trials to assess the effects of Reiki on pain and anxiety in adults.