Massage Works Dandenong Ranges
The Nature of Energetic Qi and Relationship to Structural Anomaly in Physical Therapy
Orientals have long considered Westerners barbaric and it is not just because of the poor hygiene practices and hairy bodies displayed by explorers first arriving in the East. It may be that warlocks and witches in early times had similar insights as the ancient Chinese masters but they did not leave behind the vast depth of knowledge and practices we see today that come from China.
Ancient masters achieved ability at the highest level through dedicated rigorous physical training, meditation and the study of nature. There are a few amongst us today who are able to successfully emulate these masters. Their feats would be considered unbelievable, fraudulent or magical by the uninitiated. Out of this developed the healing practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tai Chi Chuan, Dao Meditation, Dao Yin Chi Gong Therapy, Tui Na, Shiatsu and Reiki, etc. I list a mix of systematised energetic healing, physical, mental and spiritual training, massage based therapy and spiritual healing practices. They are known for curing the incurable. There is a parallel list of martial practices able to injure, maim, kill and destroy through the application of energetic control and technique. A true master might defend without causing injury.
I know of an instance of diagnosed stage 4 cancer given only weeks to live saved through these practices. Another case, my own wife, medically diagnosed with bowel cancer that had spread to her lymphatic system. She refused oncology treatment and through TCM, Dao Yin Chi Gong Therapy, meditation, diet and prayer eliminated cancer from her body and more than a decade later is leading a full active life. These are two isolated examples. There are millions upon millions of cases where complex internal health issues impacting digestive, reproductive and kidney function, dermatology complaints, breath and emotional imbalance, mobility restrictions, inexplicable pain and suffering that does not respond to conventional treatment which are resolved through these alternative practices. This is not an exhaustive list of complaints.
TCM has been clinically developed, tested and proven over thousands of years. These practices detect energetic imbalances, weaknesses and excesses, provide treatment and advice preventing the development of disease where in our conventional western science base practices it largely goes undetected until ill health and disease occurs.
In university studies for the Remedial Diploma I undertook, we discussed many conditions for which we were not given a treatment protocol nor a timeline to resolution. I did have some frustration with the course because of this deficiency. I did not realise it at the time but there was actually no expectation we would be able to provide anything more than limited temporary relief for many conditions. In a sense, instances of recovery might be considered more a fluke than a treatment outcome.
As a Remedial Therapist, my scope of practice is in part to ensure the structure is aligned and balanced, free from distortion and strain through the soft tissue. This cannot be disregarded or overlooked. In the presence of structural problems, no amount of energetic, spiritual, neuroscience or psycho-social action will lead to resolution.
To understand why structural distortion and strain is so impactful requires an understanding of Qi and its effects. Full understanding requires years of study and practice to achieve the standing of a doctor of TCM and that alone does not cover all bases. A practical insight is readily gained through activities such as Tai Chi, Chi Gong and meditation. Some individuals have an innate awareness of this essential life force. Others like myself required some years of practice before being able to sense, cultivate and control it.
Once becoming sensitive to the energy within ourselves, we then become sensitive to it in the world around us. Qi is influenced by breath, movement, emotion, structure, weather, nutrition, accident and ultimately, spiritual purpose. The energy of Qi is similar to Spirit. From my observation, the difference being Spirit has an intelligence or consciousness about it. Once we develop the ability to sense Qi, the supernatural becomes present in our life.
My experience has led me to know some of the effects relating to Qi. We are born with an inheritance from our parents and their parents and their parents' parents. There is a generational account. During our own lifetime, through developmental practices as a youth, adolescent and young adult we build health, vitality and an energetic capacity that will peak on attaining full physical maturity in our 20’s. This plateau’s until our mid 30‘s when it begins to decline. How large is our account and how quickly it declines can be managed through lifestyle habits, exercise and meditation practices to build, protect and replenish, and avoiding destructive action that disperses these life forces. I am not a master nor guru in these things.
While I am told I do not look my age and have been able to maintain a strongly active and physical life with insight to the supernatural, I have experienced significant damage that leaves me at a disadvantage and has taken time off my life expectancy. My energetic account has been prematurely depleted. Through good lifestyle practices, treatment and exercises this can be turned around and energies replenished to some degree. However, there is an inexorable decline. Output being greater than input. Many things contribute to this. The nature of my work giving treatment to others can be uplifting but also draining despite efforts to protect and rebuild. The act of procreation, gestation, caring and providing for our children is a biggie…particularly for the mother.
I have described the concept of energetic quantity. There is also the concept of movement and character. When the Qi flows there is a warmth, softness and vitality in the tissues. When it does not there is cold, hardness and pain. The Qi and the blood become stagnant. We use Cupping treatment to remove this stagnant Xé Qi (evil energy) and bad blood, and to promote circulation. Soft tissue losing elasticity becomes rigid and vulnerable to injury...rupturing where it might otherwise have the flexibility to stretch and go with impact and strain. Organs deficient in Qi lose ability to function optimally; vitality and health declines. The movement of energy leads the movement of blood. There are many types of Qi described by TCM with particular functions within the body. Wei Qi for instance flowing over the muscle bones and sinews protects from attacking external pathogens. An experienced individual can summon their Qi to specific areas of the body on demand to protect from dog bite, striking blows, cutting weapons or boiling fluids. I have some experience in this.
The Chinese model categorises all things by Yin Yang Theory and the Five Elemental Table. Do not expect full understanding and comprehension from mere intellectual study. It is an experiential thing and only through carrying out the training sensitising us to internal Qi and breath do we achieve true knowledge and understanding. Anybody can achieve this by simply doing the training.
Formally commencing training in these practices at age 25, I consider athletic training commenced age 8 contributed to my experience. Training as a competitive swimmer and being a runner of some ability developed the breath. Like the Qi leads the blood, breath leads the Qi. Eventually, the mind directs the Qi.
A fundamental energetic principle employed in the physical therapy I administer is that an energetic blockage proximally at hip or shoulder has a distal effect in the limb. I learned this first hand the hard way long after being given a clue. As though he could foresee the suffering I was to later endure, Professor Wong Lun OBE OAM, 10th dan Tang So Do, looked me in the eye, grasped my forearm with one hand and shoved my shoulder with the other pointedly stating, "Problem in arm...come from shoulder!"
Many years later living in a different town, I go through much pain and suffering over several years, receive ineffective medical treatment for repetitive strain injury in forearms and elbows, and eventually breakdown before recalling the old man’s words. Within four days of addressing the tight physical block through chest and shoulders that I, medico’s and other therapists were unaware of, the crippling arm condition was resolved.
Later in my 50’s after completing the Remedial Diploma I began to practice what I now describe as a fusion of East and West. I did not set out to do this. It evolved over time. Taking the fundamentals of Physiotherapy imparted in the Diploma and directing treatment with knowledge of energetic Qi flow properties. That I could sense a limb coming alive when releasing tightness at the hip or shoulder did give insight. As the range of skills expanded and technique improved, I developed a shoulder treatment protocol that rapidly resolved conditions such as Repetitive Strain Injury in forearm and elbow, and Carpal Tunnel in wrist and hand. Conventional therapy has poor treatment outcomes for these conditions. I repeat, we were not given a treatment protocol nor timeline to resolution in our Western medical training for conditions of this nature and there was no expectation of being able to provide anything more than limited temporary relief.
Through identifying and addressing blocked energetic Qi flow, by releasing unconscious holding patterns through soft tissue, improving posture and correcting structural imbalance distorting and straining soft tissue, apparently miraculous treatment outcomes occur. In my practice this has now extended to a better understanding of pain, dysfunction and injury through lower limbs and spine from similar energetic blocking at pelvis and lumbro-sacral region. I describe this as the “Pelvic Block.”
In treating mobility issues associated with the Pelvic Block, coincidental beneficial side effects to internal health have been reported by my clients. Digestive, reproductive and kidney function by treating the Pelvic Block. This is not hard to understand in that there are fourteen acupuncture meridians passing through the pelvis. Distortion and strain on the soft tissue of the pelvis and lumbro-sacral region from a structural leg length discrepancy has a consequent effect on energetic Qi flow and internal health. This is supported by Traditional Chinese Medical theory and is known to some TCM practitioners.
What is ideal practice? I was taught there are five aspects to maintaining good health and a strong body. These are diet, exercise, massage, acupuncture and herbal medicine for internal health. Traditional Chinese philosophy and practices in all their forms are highly sophisticated and advanced having insightful and practical understanding and outcomes.