For those who have a basic idea about qigong, the term medical qigong may pose a series of questions. So lets start off by exploring the history of medical qigong.

Medical qigong is an ancient form of medicine that is branching out from Chinese traditional medicine. It may be a contemporary of acupuncture but is not as widely known around in the world. The term qi gong itself bears meaning to what people try to achieve by its practice. "Qi" essentially means the life force running through the meridians (energy pathways) of your body while, "gong" simply refers to a skill that is acquired through practice in order to discipline the Qi. So what medical qigong teach us is ways and means of guiding and directing the qi for better health and for healing.

When it comes to medical qigong, the practice can be divided in to 3 types:

1. Physical therapy with a focus on healing for specific disorders and to maintain health
2. Exeternal qi healing with Chinese therapeutic touch
3. Stress management and relaxation exercises

Apart from encouraging deep breathing and stretches that are slowly administered with occasional quick movements, medical qigong also focuses on posture, coordination and flexibility of muscles. Medical qigong's physical therapy aspect is in particular useful for people with birth defects pertaining to fine and gross muscle movement, those with epilepsy and related disorders.

When it comes to treating heart diseases, obesity and asthma, medical qigong uses specialized techniques to address the issue. For example, it is Shu Xin Ping Xue Qigong that is used for treating heart diseases.

Wai qi liao fa, known as the external qi healing method is when the healer exerts his or her own qi energy to adjust the energy of the person receiving the healing. However, external qi healing is not used as a mainstream method of healing against diseases and illnesses. Rather it is used as a complementary healing choice or as a last resort. The fact that external qi healing succeeds in giving out results shows evidence to its effectiveness despite the unanswerable questions surrounding the technique and its basis.

Lastly, Medical qigong also involves the stress management component which allows individuals to live a happy and lasting life. Most relaxation breathing exercises that we now use as part of holistic healing programs which are western oriented in fact have borrowed the concept from Medical qigong. They are not only effective in stress management but has also proven to be worthy of anxiety relief, muscle tension and fatigue.

Qigong (pronounced Chee gung) is a powerful system of medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy ( Qi ).

Qigong training has four major areas of application which includes Healing Qigong (Yi Gong/ Medical Qigong) which teaches us how to control our reactions to stress reducing the chances of developing conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety attacks etc, External Qi Healing (Wai Qi Zhi Liao) which consists of a sophisticated system of health assessment and non-contact treatment and exercises that increases sensitivity to energy fields and yet does not violate psychotherapists' professional ethics (which do not allow touching the patient) and thus compliments body-centered psychotherapy, Sports Qigong (Wu Gong) which includes exercises that enhance performance in any sport, and finally Spiritual Qigong (Fo Gong, Tao Gong) which evolved from Taosism and Buddhism as a spiritual discipline that leads to self-awareness and tranquillity of the mind. Lesser known categories include Art Qigong which enhances aesthetic sensitivity and Business Qigong .

Qigong training is suitable for all ages as the techniques include an array of standing and sitting postures that one can choose from which can be tailored to individual needs making it an ideal aid to recovery from injury or illness. As it is a form of treatment that doesn't involve medication it compliments other forms of therapy but should never be used as a substitute form of treatment.

The benefits of practicing Qigong includes health, vitality and a tranquil state of mind, self awareness and concentration and good posture, however research has also identified it as beneficial for the treatment of cancer, Asthma, Chronic Fatigue, headaches and other common ailments.

The central goal in Qigong training is the control and manipulation of "Qi",  a form of energy that supposedly exists in all things including the air, water, food, and sunlight. In the body, "Qi" represents the unseen vital force that sustains life. Qigong training involves the control and balance of the "Qi" within the body and its interaction with the surrounding environment.

The importance of "Yin" and "Yang" or balance between complementary principles is a fundamental principle accepted in Chinese medicine. It suggests that the two forces (Ying and Yang) are always interacting, opposing, and influencing each other. This principle is also applied to Qigong training. For example, the organs within the body are classified in terms of "Water" (Ying organs) and "Fire" (Yang Organs) and one of the goals of Qigong training is to balance the "Qi" between those opposing organs which results in the flow of positive energy.

Qigong has a history of over 5,000 years. It has been around this many years as it was delivering the results that it was supposed to be delivering. If you are not aware of what qigong is, let me introduce you quickly.

Qigong is a martial art which is a part of traditional Chinese healthcare practice. As a result of qigong, the followers get to keep the mental and physical balance in them. Qigong make sure that out energy paths are intact and the energy flow is not disturbed. In addition, it stimulates the energy within and makes the followers focused and spirited.

One of the key features of qigong is its use for stress relief. This feature has been one of the mainstream outcomes where qigong had the upperhand over the other martial art disciplines. Lets have a look at how qigong for stress can be used.

There are three prominent elements when it comes to qigong for stress. When these three elements are practiced frequently, they stimulate the body and mind and take the both into a perfect harmony. This is what create the de-stress element within the follower and make their mind relaxed.

Element 1: Breathing - There are many breathing exercises in qigong. When it comes to qigong for stress, breathing exercises lets the stress go. This is basically done by connecting rhythmic breathing with the movements. As an example, abdomen breathing is the perfect exercise for connecting breathing to the movements of the body. When the mind is focused on these movements, it starts the de-stressing process. In this process, which is the connection between the breathing and movements, body releases the hormones that help the relaxation and rejuvenation.

Element 2: Movement - This is again one of the key elements of qigong. You can have four movement types such as, moving, seated, stationary, and standing. The qigong exercises are performed in one of these movements all the time. When it comes to qigong for stress, having a good idea about the movements that help you to get rid of the stress is always helpful. The qigong followers get the opportunity to contract and expand the body muscles in a rhythmic way and that helps the objective of qigong for stress.

Element 3: Focus -  As we have already emphasized, the qigong exercises teach you to build the skill of mental focus. This is the most important factor when it comes to qigong for stress. This technique not only ensures that you get the qigong for stress objectives achieved, but also it teaches you to live distraction free.

If you are new to martial art, you may not have understood what it is all about qigong chi. Lets have a look at the name itself and try to understand what qigong chi means. Qi means energy. Chi also means energy. So, in essence, we talk about a lot of energy here. Gong means work. So Qigong Chi means energy work. If you have a little exposure to human energy and Reiki, you will have no hard time understanding this concept. The eastern martial art is all about directing the energy within you and using it for self discipline. Qigong chi is one such way of dealing with your internal energy.

Qigong chi has been around for 5,000 years now and it has been originated from China. This discipline was first used as a healthcare practice for keeping body functioning at its optimum. By the 21st century, qigong chi has been adopted by western countries with many variations. Although this was used as a core mediation technique by the ancient Chinese people, now qigong chi is more of a martial art practiced by students around the globe. Qigong chi has lost is healthcare and meditation focus as it has been adopted to match the fast living world that we have around.

There are many benefits of qigong chi. These were known to ancient Chinese people and now they are being rediscovered by the Webster cultures. The most prominent benefit from qigong chi is the balance between the mind and the body. This helps the busy people from getting depressed and also gives physical exercises to the body. The entire process helps people to experience mindful sex and peak in sports. This martial art technique is said to be a good treatment ranging from daily stress to cancer.

Although this technique is a core practice for meditation and mindfulness, the versions of qigong chi can be practiced focusing different things. As an example, there are millions of people in China and other parts of the word who use this technique as a daily exercise. People gather to a public place such as a park and start following qigong chi movements. These events take place every morning in the public parks. Most of such exercise sessions are free of charge, so everyone can go and join these sessions. This martial art discipline does not have any age barriers in place, so it is a discipline that can be practiced by everyone in every age.