Use this Simple Qigong to Heal Your Back Pain!

Back pain is truly a pain!  Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong have some unorthodox answers that really work! 

This simple qigong technique combines breathing and visualization, and can be used anywhere and anytime.

It was taught to me by respected masters of the craft, and I know it works because I used it myself, when advanced martial arts training went a little too far, resulting in pain and stiffness that just wouldn't go away! 

The technique is simple: 

When you breathe in: imagine a beautiful, deep blue light is being gathered from the entire universe.  Draw this light into your kidneys (just beneath the ribcage in your lower back)

When you breathe out: imagine this light has nourished the kidneys and they are now radiant and glowing with this rich blue color.  

That's it, that's the whole exercise!

It works because according to Chinese medicine, the lower back is the "Palace of the Kidney [meridian]", in my career as a medical qigong therapist and acupressurist, regulating this meridian has often brought people profound relief from their painful symptoms!

It's a great time to be doing exercises like this, according to Daoist tradition, because the season of Winter is related to this Kidney meridian.  This can mean that the low back is especially vulnerable during this season, but it can also mean your inner work is more potent!  This month I'm releasing an entire Qigong mini-course on seasonal qigong for the Winter.  It includes three, 20 minute sessions designed to work these exact meridians, and give the practitioner a felt experience of these internal dynamics and connections.  Plus, it's FUN!

Duration and Frequency:

The great thing about this exercise is that you can do just a few breaths at any time, you don't need a big set up! 

Two powerful techniques I was taught were:

1. Doing a breath or two if you find yourself stopped at a red light while driving; and

2. Doing a couple of breaths if a commercial comes on while watching television (or I guess, these days it's waiting for the next episode to auto-play?!).  

If those two don't match your life, find any point of natural transition or pause in your day, and try to add a few kidney breathing reps.  Then, even if you're already doing a practice of qigong, yoga, or working out, you don't have to add something else, just take these small qi-breaks throughout your day!  You'll likely start noticing change immediately!

If you want more dramatic results, you can do a full session, and blessedly that means just five minutes of practice!  Sit or stand comfortably, and simply breathe this blue light for about 50 rounds, or 5 minutes.  Try this for 1-4 sessions per day for best results.

I hope you'll give this exercise a try and find yourself on the road to pain relief!  Remember, if you'd like to go a little deeper, or you start feeling so good you're eager to move the body in creative and healing ways, make sure to sign up for Qigong for Deep Winter, and start practicing the beautiful traditional forms designed to attune us to these meridians and elements!  

Note: not all back pain is created equal and qigong isn't one-size-fits all.  Always check with your physician before trying a new form of exercise.  If this particular qi practice doesn't finish off your pain, talk to your Chinese medicine practitioner to find out if there's a different meridian that needs more focus, or see your massage therapist or chiropractor for a more physical intervention!  happy practicing!