I’ve mentioned Qigong in a few of my posts, and haven’t really spoken much about what it is and how it relates to fixing back pain. So now is the time!
Qigong (aka chi kung, and a few other spellings) is an ancient Chinese method that means “energy practice” and includes a wide variety of styles and exercises. It is very closely related to tai chi, and many folks practice both arts together.
In practice, qigong can look kind of strange, as it is done very slowly and usually in a stationary manner. It consists of a variety of movements whose intent is to optimize the flow of “chi”, or energy within the body. This is a good thing, because blocked chi can cause a variety of ailments (hello, back pain?), and improving chi flow can also improve one’s energy, athletic performance and overall well-being.
Qigong, like acupuncture, tai chi, and other Chinese healing practices, is based on opening up the energy flow along our main energy channels, or “meridians”, which run from the top of our head to our feet. And before you question whether this stuff actually works, consider that the Chinese have been practicing and refining the healing and energy arts for thousands of years – and I can attest from personal experience, this is good stuff!
Qigong practice can help prevent and reduce chronic back pain by:
- opening up chi blockages
- circulating chi better
- getting the joints moving
- coordinating bodily movements
- relaxing tense muscles
- relieving stress
- creating great body awareness
- developing core power
- teaching abdominal compression
- teaching abdominal breathing
- teaching how to “root” into the floor
- improving posture
- and more!
I also find that as a “girevik”, or kettlebell man, that the soft, internal methods of qigong are a great yin/yang complement to the hard, power movements of kettlebell lifting.
As far as my personal journey with qigong, I took group tai chi classes for one year, private tai chi and qigong classes for a year, then started a daily practice on my own. My current daily practice is based on John Du Cane’s Qigong Recharge program, available at DragonDoor.com. I really like John’s program because it is an extremely efficient way to get in a daily practice that covers joint mobility, chi circulation, and core development.
If possible, you should try to work with a teacher at first to learn the basics, but there are also lots of great books on the subject that can help you get started – I recommend Master Lam Kam Chuen’s The Way of Energy: Mastering the Chinese Art of Internal Strength with Chi Kung Exercise. And remember to check with your doc before starting any new exercise program!
I’ve mentioned Qigong in a few of my posts, and haven’t really spoken much about what it is and how it relates to fixing back pain. So now is the time!
Qigong (aka chi kung, and a few other spellings) is an ancient Chinese method that means “energy practice” and includes a wide variety of styles and exercises. It is very closely related to tai chi, and many folks practice both arts together.
Qigong, like acupuncture, tai chi, and other Chinese healing practices, is based on opening up the energy flow along our main energy channels, or “meridians”, which run from the top of our head to our feet. And before you question whether this stuff actually works, consider that the Chinese have been practicing and refining the healing and energy arts for thousands of years – and I can attest from personal experience, this is good stuff!
Qigong practice can help prevent and reduce chronic back pain by:
I also find that as a “girevik”, or kettlebell man, that the soft, internal methods of qigong are a great yin/yang complement to the hard, power movements of kettlebell lifting.
As far as my personal journey with qigong, I took group tai chi classes for one year, private tai chi and qigong classes for a year, then started a daily practice on my own. My current daily practice is based on John Du Cane’s Qigong Recharge program, available at DragonDoor.com. I really like John’s program because it is an extremely efficient way to get in a daily practice that covers joint mobility, chi circulation, and core development.
If possible, you should try to work with a teacher at first to learn the basics, but there are also lots of great books on the subject that can help you get started – I recommend Master Lam Kam Chuen’s The Way of Energy: Mastering the Chinese Art of Internal Strength with Chi Kung Exercise. And remember to check with your doc before starting any new exercise program!