Chinese Medicine and Qigong
A Complete Path to Healing and Preventative medicine
Chinese medicine views health as a balance of energy, or Qi, throughout the body. Treatments such as acupuncture and herbal medicine work to restore this balance, addressing the root causes of illness as well as its symptoms. When paired with Qigong—the practice of mindful movement, breathing, and meditation—the healing potential is even greater. Together, they form a comprehensive approach to both recovery and long-term wellness.
Qigong practice emphasizes sensing and guiding the body’s natural energy flow through specific movements and breathing patterns. This same energy map forms the basis of acupuncture, which stimulates meridians and points where Qi may be blocked or depleted. In practice, Qigong can heighten body awareness and help individuals feel where energy is stagnant, while acupuncture works more directly to restore flow through those channels. The two practices reinforce each other: Qigong builds daily self-regulation of Qi, and acupuncture provides targeted interventions when deeper imbalances arise.
Acupuncture's role
Direct manipulation: Acupuncture practitioners use needles to directly stimulate acupoints, which are points on the body's meridian lines.
Regulating qi flow: By manipulating the needles, they can either increase or decrease the flow of qi to remove blockages and restore balance.
Enhancing sensitivity: For acupuncturists, practicing qigong can increase their sensitivity to a patient's qi, helping them to better diagnose and treat imbalances.
Qigong and Tai Chi's role
Internal cultivation: Both qigong and tai chi are practices that cultivate qi through integrated mind, movement, and breath.
Promoting circulation: The slow, fluid movements help to open energy pathways (meridians), improve blood and fluid circulation, and warm the body.
Harmonizing body and mind: They promote a state of relaxed awareness, which helps to dissolve blockages and restore health on both a physical and psychological level.
Self-healing: These practices are believed to activate the body's natural self-regulatory capacity to heal itself.
The integrated approach
A synergistic effect: Combining the external stimulation of acupuncture with the internal cultivation of qigong or tai chi creates a more comprehensive approach to health.
Addressing blockages: Acupuncture can be used to clear blockages directly, while qigong and tai chi build the energy needed to keep qi moving smoothly over the long term.
Holistic treatment: A practitioner might use acupuncture to address specific issues while also teaching the patient qigong exercises to manage stress, improve breathing, or prevent future pain.
Research shows that acupuncture can reduce chronic pain, regulate the nervous system, and promote circulation (NIH), while Qigong has been shown to strengthen immunity, support cardiovascular health, and reduce stress. Practicing Qigong alongside acupuncture enhances sensitivity to Qi, improves the body’s response to treatments, and provides a preventive foundation to protect against future illness.
At Qi - Qigong Center, located at 26 West 8th Street, New York, NY 10011, students can experience this synergy firsthand.
Chris Chen
Qi Gong Seminar: Somatic Healing Integration Practice
Join Chris Chen, L.Ac. in a new offering to move your energy and experience the
Somatic Healing Integration Practice https://qi.union.site/performances/n3qm6wwb
This 3 hour workshop is specifically designed to restore your body, and relax your mind.
We will begin with a 90 minutes Chi Gong set designed to invigorate your body and connect you to your breath. Afterward, we will settle into a deeply restorative Acupuncture assisted Shivasana for a full hour of deep somatic integration.
This unique combination supports the release of stress, the harmonization of your energy, and the restoration of body and mind.
No experience needed, show up and you’ll leave feeling refreshed, balanced, and deeply nourished.
Regular classes offer Qigong instruction that complements acupuncture and herbal therapies, creating a holistic path to recovery, balance, and resilience. With expert guidance in a calm and welcoming environment, the Center supports New Yorkers in building sustainable habits for lasting health.
By combining Chinese medicine with Qigong, you not only treat current health concerns but also cultivate preventative strength, ensuring vitality and harmony for the future. Book a class or consultation today at Qi - The Qigong Center and begin your journey toward complete healing and long-term wellness.
With the love of Qi
