One component of holistic therapy essential to successful relief at a pain management clinic is Chi Kung (Qi Gung).
Chi Kung is the ancient Chinese practice for health, therapy, and longevity thought to balance the one's life force and promote healing. It is a self-healing art that combines movement, relaxation, mind-body integration, breathing, and meditation. "Chi" means vital energy of the body, and "Kung" means the skill of working with, or cultivating, self-discipline and achievement. Psychotherapists and pain management clinicians alike find that this sense of self makes recovery more effective.
The emphasis is on complete relaxation, conscious breath control, balance, and maintaining present moment focus while moving through a series of slow, graceful, rhythmical postures. During the practice of Chi Kung, one develops awareness of chi sensations (energy) in their body and uses their mind to guide the chi. Chi Kung promotes health and vitality by stimulating and balancing the flow of chi throughout the body.
Regular practice of Chi Kung can:
- Prevent and treat illness
- Reduce stress
- Establish balance
- Integrate mind/body/spirit
