How to Undo Qi Blockages According to Chinese Concepts
Qi (Chi) blockages, also known as energy blockages, arise due to blocked or stagnant energy according to Qigong, Daoist, TCM theory and even Fengshui concepts deriving from China. They appear as both visible and non-visible forms to the human eye.
In this article we cover all things related to Qi blockages, including:
- Why Does Qi Get Blocked?
- How Qi Blockages are Detected for Humans
- Which Methods are Best for Undoing Qi Blockages?
- A Chinese Approach to Maintaining Healthy Energy Flow
To summarize, here is a condensed version of the article below:
Key Points and Solutions
| Aspect | Details | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Causes of Qi Blockages | – Injuries – Poor lifestyle habits (e.g., bad sleep) – Imbalanced emotions – Nutrient-deficient diets – Lack of exercise and social wellbeing – Environmental factors (e.g., lack of sunshine) |
– Address injuries with cupping (Ba Guan) or skin scraping (Gua Sha) – Improve sleep quality – Manage stress – Eat a balanced diet – Increase physical activity – Balance environmental exposure |
| Detection Methods | – Pulse reading (3-finger version in TCM) – Qigong energy detection (energy scan) – Acupressure massages |
– Use pulse reading to assess meridians – Employ Qigong practitioners for energy scans – Get acupressure massages for sore or uncomfortable areas |
| Effective Methods for Removing Blockages | – No universal solution; methods vary based on individual issues – Common methods include Qigong, Tuina massage, and TCM herbs |
– Practice Qigong regularly – Use Tuina massage to address physical blockages – Consult TCM practitioners for personalized treatment |
| Maintaining Healthy Energy Flow | – Balanced emotions – Proper diet – Eating with the seasons – Regular Qigong practice – Meditation – Exercise and movement |
– Stabilize emotions – Follow a balanced diet – Align eating habits with seasons – Practice Qigong – Meditate regularly – Engage in regular physical exercise |
| Restoring Qi | – Ensure adequate sleep – Regular Qigong practice – Proper nutrition |
– Get enough quality sleep – Practice Qigong daily – Eat seasonally and avoid excessive unhealthy foods |
| Step-by-Step Procedure | – Incorporate balanced exercise and lifestyle – Practice Qigong and meditation – Consult with TCM practitioners – Consume healthy foods – Include herbal soups and teas |
– Follow a balanced lifestyle – Regularly practice Qigong and meditation – Seek TCM advice for herbs and treatments – Maintain a nutritious diet – Integrate herbal remedies |
Why Does Qi Get Blocked?
There are a number of reasons why Qi gets blocked. For humans, there are a few primary reasons:
- Injuries.
- Poor lifestyle habits such as bad sleep.
- Imbalanced emotions such as excessive stress.
- Diets lacking nutrients.
- Lack of exercise and social wellbeing.
- Environmental circumstances such as lack of sunshine.
Injuries
Qi often gets blocked due to strained or excessive muscle use. Athletes, for example, frequently use techniques like cupping (Ba Guan) or skin scraping (Gua Sha) to relieve muscle soreness. Overusing the body can deplete vital energies, leading to stagnation. Ba Guan and Gua Sha stimulate affected areas to remove blockages and boost blood and energy flow.
Lifestyle
A common lifestyle issue people face is poor sleep, late nights, and overall lack of sleep. From a TCM standpoint, this is harmful to the kidney and liver energies, which can cause energy in these channels to stagnate.
Imbalanced Emotions
In TCM theory, each emotion is linked to a meridian. For example, excessive fear or worry is linked to the chest. Those with such circumstances can feel tightness in the area, leading to blockages.
Food Choices
In TCM, food is categorized by its hot and cold properties. For instance, mangoes are classified as cold, while ginger is considered hot. Consuming too much of either can lead to an imbalance in Yin and Yang energies in the body.
Exercise and Movement
Simply not getting enough movement causes Qi blockages. When the body is stagnant so is its energy channels. Moving around, stretching, doing yoga, and giving the body a massage helps circulate Qi.
One’s Environment
Excessive light or dark environments can cause Qi to block. It is good to find a balance where sunshine and lack of sunshine are balanced.
How Qi Blockages are Detected for Humans
There are a few primary ways Qi blockages are detected when it comes to an individual:
- Pulse reading, specifically the 3 finger version in TCM where all internal meridians are read. This is done all across China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and TCM clinics across the world. This is a highly accurate and scientific approach used for centuries.
- Energy detection through Qigong readings. This is also known as an energy scan, commonly found in energy detection schools within Reiki and Qigong. Only advanced practitioners who are sensitive to understanding Qi flow are qualified to use this methodology.
- Acupressure massages to find where the body is feeling sore or uncomfortable.
Pulse Reading
TCM uses an advanced technique of pulse reading that takes into consideration all the meridians and internal organs. A detailed explanation of all those can be found in this TCM pulse reading guide. An energy blockage here is defined as internal energy that isn’t flowing properly across major meridian systems that link to the corresponding organs. Most TCM providers in China and Taiwan address blockages through herbs and Tuina Massage depending on the condition. Such solutions allow for Qi flow to occur more smoothly, thus resulting in removed blockages.
Qigong Energy Blockages Detection Methodology
Qigong uses an advanced energy detection system by which the Qigong practitioner uses his or her hand to detect where energy is stuck or not flowing smoothly. At Qiful Life, we call this the Qi Radar or “Qi-dar.” There are Qigong schools completely dedicated to this practice and study, such as Spring Forest Qigong. Once detected, the Qigong practitioner opens the blockages through a practice called Sword Fingers and then concludes with a series of energy flow movements to send back positive energy flow. The receiver then ends the practice with a meditation and relaxation session to harmonize and balance the energy flow.
Acupressure Massage & Tuina
Tuina massage is a type of Chinese acupressure massage designed to address physical Qi blockages in the body. In the West, it is often associated with issues like a sore neck or stiff shoulders. When muscles or pressure points are stiff, the Tuina masseuse works to loosen them, resulting in increased Qi flow, much like the benefits experienced after a traditional massage.
Which Methods are Best for Undoing Qi Blockages?
According to all schools, there is no perfect answer. Certain individuals may have blockages due to injury while others due to emotions. Most people in Asia turn to their local TCM clinic as a first step.
The safest way to ensure harmonized Qi flow on a daily basis is to practice Qigong. Qigong is a set of energy balancing movements that harmonizes Yin and Yang energies in the body. Pretty much every TCM and Acupressure practitioner you run into will recommend Qigong as a main or supplemental practice to Qi blockage removal. It is easy to practice and has been researched and studied by all sorts of reputable sources.
A Chinese Approach to Maintaining Healthy Energy Flow
Whether it is with Qigong masters, TCM practitioners or masseuses, there are a set of common practices to promote optimal Qi flow:
- Balanced emotions. In TCM and Qigong theory, different emotions are linked to different organs and energy systems in the body. For example, anger is associated with the liver and excessive angry feelings may lead to weakened liver energy. It is important to maintain stabilized and excessive emotions.
- Diet. A balanced diet is considered crucial to energy flow. An excessive amount of unhealthy foods that are high in cold or hot properties destabilizes your energy base.
- Eating with the Seasons. Similar to diet, simply eating with the seasons helps align the body with the natural environment you occupy.
- Practice Qigong. Qigong is a highly effective set of movements that circulates energy lightly throughout the body. It incorporates movement, breathwork and even visualization. It is considered the most effective and preventative practice for preventing Qi blockages.
- Meditate. Meditation helps regulate emotions that otherwise may become imbalanced.
- Exercise & Movement. It is highly important to keep the body revitalized through movement and exercise such as walking, aerobics and stretching.
FAQ: How Do You Restore Qi in the Body?
Sleep. Make sure to get enough sleep. Going to bed earlier helps regulate Qi better.
Qigong. Practicing Qigong daily helps ensure ample and smooth energy flow.
Proper Nutrition through Drinks and Food. Eat with the seasons, drink tea, and make sure to avoid excessive unhealthy foods.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Dealing with Energy Blockages
- Incorporate balanced exercise and lifestyle into your daily routine.
- Practice Qigong and Meditation.
- Consult with a TCM practitioner on herbs, Gua Sha and Ba Guan.
- Make sure to consume enough healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits.
- Add in herbal soups and teas to your routine.
Alex Wolfgram
