Qi Gong for Cancer Patients
For thousands of years Qi Gong has been practiced as a form of preventative as well as a therapeutic and rehabilitation program. These three purposes are all extremely important to those living with cancer. White Tiger Medical Qi Gong is a perfect addition to most cancer patients’ treatment regimens.
I have chosen White Tiger Medical Qi Gong for Cancer Patients as my particular teaching niche’.
There have been a number of studies done on the effect of Qi Gong on the quality of life and health of cancer patients. *Please see the citations at the end of this article.
As a cancer survivor myself; who, was treated simultaneously by a western Oncologist and a Chinese Medical Practitioner, I am a living testament of the efficacy of Qi Gong, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal therapy as a valuable adjunct to western medical treatment.
There are a number of benefits in applying Medical Qi Gong as an option to cancer patients Including stress reduction, relief from physical symptoms, strengthening the immune system and reducing the fatigue that is inherent in certain cancers and traditional treatments.
Reduction of Stress and Quieting the Mind
The deep focused breathing combined with the rhythmic movement of Qi Gong, especially in a Yin focused 8 Trigram practice, can serve to bring a profound feeling of peace and relaxation.
Maintenance of Physical Strength & Flexibility
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause deep joint and muscle pain. This pain can discourage and often prevent a cancer patient from engaging in a traditional physical fitness activity. However, the gentle fluid movements of Qi Gong, incorporating the coiling and uncoiling action at the joints, squeezing out of the meridians releasing the stagnant Qi, along with the engagement of the muscles serve to improve flexibility, reduce joint and muscle pain and increase physical strength.
Improved Balance
Certain types of cancer as well as cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can cause a side effect known as peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy is a general term that describes a disorder affecting the peripheral nerves. Just a few presentations of neuropathy are, depending on which nerves are affected, numbness or tingling, muscle cramps, loss of muscle tissue and diminished coordination and loss of balance.
The deep twists and coiling of the Medical Qi Gong forms, effectively stimulate the peripheral nerves and clear blocked Qi, which promotes the healing of the nerve(s) and with continued practice, diminishes the neuropathic effect.
A regular Qi Gong practice that focuses on forms that concentrate on balance can significantly improve a patient’s stability and thus help to reduce the threat of tripping or falling.
Reduced Fatigue and Increased Energy
Cancer patients commonly experience chronic fatigue, either from the cancer itself, treatment they are receiving, or most likely a combination of both. It is not unusual for a cancer patient to be constantly exhausted and suffering from an ongoing muddled mind. Medical Qi Gong practice increases oxygen levels in the brain and muscles by stimulating circulation and releasing stagnant Qi. Cancer patients who have a regular Qi Gong practice find themselves more alert, more clear minded and less tired throughout the day.
The versatility of White Tiger Medical Qi Gong, allowing provision for adjustments depending on ability, health level, flexibility level, make it a perfect addition to any cancer treatment plan, whether Western Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine or any combination of the three. Offering movement practices for recovery and rehabilitation can decrease healing time for patients as well as providing a more calm mental and emotional state. Most of the forms can be done while sitting, opening the practice to those who are not ambulatory. The Qi Gong breathing practices can be done, some with modification, by those patients who are not able to perform even the gentlest movements.
As a perfect example of the effectiveness of Qi Gong practice for a cancer patient, I am very much looking forward to sharing my experience and the gift of White Tiger Medical Qi Gong with this ever-growing community.
Studies-Qi Gong for Cancer Patients
https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/46616692/Medical_Qigong_for_Cancer_Patients_Pilot2 0160619-14953-19sc1hr.pdf?1466343537=&response-content- disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DMedical_Qigong_for_cancer_patients_pilot.pdf&Expires=1 591710524&Signature=ToGYcBEI- eEXWr1tc543sCRSvjKii51oPCMGP8kqGr3IYUDZMswlb0fUz6OevwaRRXigYNbVhte4rZ8YDkuMD wi2f~B89EMEUgA6y32S3pM7VY7lhRR71Dj4ljwVaW96i5HDM4T3V8rlBRGr5uHMYOvhl13-K- 3KA5L1EOykVSnI8-WnA3~xGxY7Nc0H4q1oG1Li52u77xx7Tfb~p2aV1M2S7iR~hCvl4NJg- onqCHGzb5k3mC6UVrxcAEVbsL9Dj10M7KCVreI2Jhy8EcnjqRTn-2IkMV8vPth- P7tnQL9DokJ9xolaV2A-MCFouooI25YJe8JBNdneGaBQjCt09g__&Key-Pair- Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZAhttps://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X08005904 https://medcraveonline.com/IJCAM/critical-review-in-qigong-amp-immunity-cancer- research.html
Written By:
Kasey Conrad
White Tiger Qi Gong Instructor
Well Being Specialist ~Change Works AD
