| Qigong, Chikung, Chigong are all pronounced chi | | | | eyes and count 10 long slow breaths. On each out |
| gung and are all the same activity. Qigong is a | | | | breath thing the word relax. Feel yourself relax |
| Chinese health and exercise system that dates | | | | more and more with each breath. Imagine your |
| back some 4000 years to its earliest recorded | | | | neck and shoulder muscles becoming as soft as |
| roots. | | | | marshmallow and that you are sinking further and |
| In its earliest forms practitioners would instruct | | | | further in to the bed. |
| workers in simple exercises to help them cope | | | | Lying down is useful when you need the support |
| with their harsh lives. Eventually Qigong became | | | | of a pillow for your neck. This is suited to when |
| an integral part of Chinese medicine. The other | | | | you already have a headache |
| two branches being acupuncture and Herbal | | | | Method 2. |
| medicine. Using Qigong to manage headaches is a | | | | Sit in a comfortable chair and perform the same |
| regular part of Chinese Medical practice | | | | breathing and relaxing as when lying down. Sitting |
| Modern Qigong is characterised by 3 activities. | | | | up helps when your headache feels worse if you |
| Breathing, movement and visualisation. In the early | | | | lie down. This is also suited to when you already |
| part of last century Qigong was broken up into | | | | have a headache. |
| various groups. i.e medical Qigong for with specific | | | | Method 3. |
| exercises for specific problem. Exercise Qigong | | | | Headache prevention: In a standing position have |
| with activities designed to strengthen and to | | | | your feet shoulder width apart. Breathe in through |
| increase mobility and flexibility and Martial Arts | | | | your nose for the count of 3, and out through |
| Qigong designed to increase power and stamina. | | | | your nose for the count of three. Start to move |
| Medical Qigong is used to prevent and relieve | | | | your feet slightly and move your arms and |
| headaches through specific breathing methods and | | | | shoulders slowly in any way that feels |
| gentle relaxing movements. | | | | comfortable. |
| Because many headaches are caused by stress | | | | This is called spontaneous Qigong and requires no |
| or muscle tension it is quite simple to relieve the | | | | further instruction other than to say that you |
| pain and even easier to prevent the headache in | | | | move in such a way as to identify muscle |
| the first place. | | | | soreness. Once you find the sore muscles then |
| Qigong looks like Tai Chi, so if you have ever | | | | you gently repeat the movement slowly. The idea |
| seen it performed you will have the idea of the | | | | is to find the muscles in your neck shoulders and |
| slow fluid movements. | | | | back which because they are tight will contribute |
| Method 1. | | | | to your headaches and then move and relax |
| Lying down: Lie flat on your back and ensure your | | | | them while you breathe deeply into the muscles. |
| neck and shoulders are comfortable. Close your | | | | Again imagine the muscles soften. |