Medical Qi gong is an ancient form of Chinese energetic medicine, and is one of the four main branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), along with acupuncture, herbal medicine, and medical massage. As with the other "branches" of TCM, healing occurs through balancing Qi or electromagnetic energy which surrounds and pervades all living creatures. Disruptions in the electromagnetic energy of the body occur throughout our lifetime as a result of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, injuries, surgery, suppression of emotions, and aging. The goal of Qi gong is to correct these bio-energetic imbalances and blockages. This enables the body to strengthen and regulate the internal organs, the nervous system and the immune system, relieve pain, regulate hormones, and strengthen and release deep-seated emotions and stress.
Medical Qi gong therapy consists of treatment by a practitioner to regulate the client's Qi. After the treatment the client will be given Qi gong exercises to assist in their ongoing healing. Tailored specifically to the client medical Qi gong exercises use physical movement, breathing methods and mental intention to correct and restore the function in the body. Medical Qi gong is a complete system of health care that recognizes the root causes of symptoms or disease, and treats the client as a whole. Practiced as an excellent adjunct to Western medicine, Chinese medicine may successfully treat people with conditions which Western medicine finds resistant or ambiguous.