Chi Kung is a form of exercise developed by the Chinese to enhance the mind-body connection and give you an enhanced relationship with your internal body. Also spelled Qigong, Chi Kung is the mother of Tai Chi and was developed before the martial arts influence. Practitioners of Chi Kung believe “to strain is NOT to gain,” and most physical problems, including pain and diseases, are related to people being “out of balance.” Chi Kung masters believe you can lessen your pain by restoring your internal/external balance. “Chi” (as described in the previous section) is the powerful life-force energy and “Kung” is the power you achieve after constant practice. A master is someone who has reached mastery over his or her internal energy. Chi Kung is moving meditation and is a very gentle form of exercise. Specific exercises help chronic pain treatment practitioners release negative energy and focus on specific areas of the body such as the spine. Chi Kung is a comprehensive program that allows students to pace themselves as they move from level to level within the discipline. Chi Kung helps:

• Improve digestion.
• Promote relaxation and reduce stress.
• Increase flexibility and range of motion.
• Improve posture.
• Improve breathing and lung capacity.
• Enhance the cardiovascular system.
• Reduce pain.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Improve sleep.
• Increase muscle strength.
• Fight depression.

This blog post is an excerpt from A Day Without Pain (Revised) by Mel Pohl, MD, FASAM; Published by Central Recovery Press (CRP).