The Unexpected Cure: How Chinese Martial Arts Healed My Chronic Pain

Ever felt like your body's in a constant state of struggle?

That was me with my chronic wrist and back pain. It felt like a relentless shadow over my shoulders, day after day - for almost a decade.

But then, I stumbled upon an unlikely hero: Chinese martial arts.

Pain, as I learned, is like a beaver dam blocking a creek—Chinese medicine sees it as an obstruction.

Clearing this blockage isn't always straightforward though, especially with chronic conditions. It's not just about removing the obstruction; it's about understanding and addressing the underlying issues.

My journey into martial arts wasn't just about learning to punch or kick; it was about mastering the basics: body mechanics, balance, alignment, rotation, and shifting.

These fundamentals brought my imbalances and dysfunctional patterns front and center.

I've been honing these skills for 14 years, starting every session with the same basics. Because without them, my movements lacked power and opened me up to injury and more pain.

Slowing down and focusing on each movement taught me to calm my nervous system on demand, reducing inflammation and promoting healthy blood flow and energy circulation—especially beneficial for my wrist and back.

These practices didn't just support my physical health; they prepared me mentally to stay present and composed during stress.

It was seriously a revelation: movement, balance, alignment, and stress were intertwined, fueling a cycle of pain I couldn't get out from under.

My 2 wrist surgeries failed because they never tackled these root causes.

Martial arts have become my self-applied rehab and therapy, teaching me daily how to realign and rebalance.

I'm still a work in progress, but I'm leagues ahead of where I started, and my wrist and back?

They've never felt better!

This journey has taught me that healing is about more than just treating symptoms.

It's about understanding and adjusting the fundamentals of how we move and live. And for me, Chinese martial arts and Eastern medicine was the key to unlocking that door.

Does Your Back Hurt Because You’re Getting Old?

I just had a long talk with my barber about how his back has been hurting for the past few years, and he doesn't know why.

He tells me, "Jonathan," (in an Italian accent, he's from Sicily), "I used to play soccer every week, I used to go to the gym, then during COVID, I gained about 15 lbs, and now I'm in my mid-50s, and at the end of the day, my back is in pain."

He says it's not that bad, but it does hurt.

I said, "Anthony, this ain't rocket science. You used to do all those things, and now you don’t, and now your back hurts. Do you think if maybe you got back to being more active and lost a few pounds, things might start to feel differently?"

In my experience, people love to blame age. Maybe because it's convenient. But if age were the reason, then literally everyone would have the same issues as they got older.

And even if it seems like everyone over 40 that you know is struggling with something physically, it's not everyone.

But staying out of pain is not always convenient, although with practices like Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Ba Gua, it can be.

It takes a committed effort to start something new. And then to keep it going!

The key is to find something that's enjoyable for you, so at least on those days you REALLY don't want to do it, once you get started it's not so bad.

It's also helpful to find something that can check off several boxes at once. It should be efficient and convenient.

That's why I love the internal arts like Qi Gong and Ba Gua.

I think a few of the main reasons why a lot of my clients love it are: you don't need to go anywhere to practice, you don’t need any equipment, you can knock out your daily session in under 20 min if that's all the time you have, it integrates with the rest of your life so normal activities become opportunities for therapy, it feels good and makes you feel more balanced, aligned, and decompressed, it both energizes me and calms you down, it helps improve physical aptitude, increases agility and sharpens your mental focus to name a few.

It's hard to find another physical therapy approach that even comes close to that. And those aren't even all of the benefits.

If you’re thinking you're getting old and that's the reason you're experiencing orthopedic pain, you're mistaken. I mean, age is a factor, but it's literally the only one you can't control.

There are a plethora of other things you CAN control, and I highly recommend getting started on them so the next 10, 20, 30 years plus of your life aren't riddled with more discomfort.

If you want more information on a movement therapy approach like Qi Gong in New York City, Ba Gua in NYC, or Tai Chi in NYC, or if you're interested in online training, schedule a call to speak with us today.

Qi Gong: A Vital Practice for Professionals Who Depend on Their Bodies

As someone who worked in a physically demanding job for years as an electrician, I get it. Over time, your body begins to protest. You wonder - is this just a function of aging?

I thought so too, until my own journey led me to discover a unique practice known as Qi Gong (pronounced 'chee gong').

If aging were the only culprit, everyone growing older would be in constant pain, right? But that's not the case. Not everyone in a physically demanding job lives with pain. A secret to this? Good body mechanics combined with a balanced and aligned skeleton.

A few years ago, I was introduced to Qi Gong, a practice that forever changed my understanding of the body and my approach to physical well-being.

This practice not only gave me a unique perspective on how I was holding and moving myself throughout the day but also helped me suss out the root of my chronic wrist pain.

Qi Gong creates a new level of awareness that helps you identify what's misaligned before it turns into pain.

And if you're already struggling with unresolved pain - be it back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, or wrist pain like me - it can be a game-changer.

Most people living with chronic pain don't get the lasting relief they hope for from conventional therapies like physical therapy, cortisone injections, chiropractic adjustments or even surgery. It's because these modalities don't always educate the person about the origin of the issue.

Building strength and creating space are essential, sure, but without understanding why things have become weak or imbalanced in the first place, it's a band-aid solution.

This is where Qi Gong shines.

It's not just a practice; it's a daily ritual for self-calibration and rebalancing. A timeless technique that's been evolving for thousands of years, Qi Gong brings your body back to a state that feels familiar, one you might have lost due to years of injury, bad habits, and lack of awareness.

Qi Gong shows you how to move in accordance with your body's natural design.

Most tension and pain result from muscles not firing sequentially in the right order. Qi Gong helps you reconnect with the different areas of your body and understand how they should connect.

It's as simple as it sounds and feels like a massage from the inside out. It doesn't need to take long. I noticed significant improvements in a few weeks, and you could too.

If you're like me, having tried everything but still not where you want to be, Qi Gong could be your missing link.

As a professional instructor and coach now, my greatest joy is empowering others to take control of their physical well-being, just like Qi Gong did for me.

Say Hello to Qi Gong: Your New Best Friend for Pain-Free Living

Life sure is a crazy ride, isn't it? Between juggling work, family, and everything in between, our health sometimes takes a backseat. If you're in your 30's, 40’s or 50’s, chances are you've had a run-in or two with annoying orthopedic pain. And, let's face it, the thought of popping pills or going under the knife doesn't exactly sound like a fun day at the beach. But guess what? There's another way to kick that pain to the curb – and it's called Qi Gong (sounds like Chee Gung).

The Struggle:

Ladies, we hear you. Between raising the kids and running the world, who has time to focus on their own health? But neglecting ourselves can lead to nasty issues like neck, shoulder, and back pain. And it's pretty hard to strut your stuff in Zumba class when your back is killing you. Fellas, we haven't forgotten you. We know it's frustrating when pain gets in the way of hitting that perfect golf swing or romping around with the kids.

Meet Qi Gong - Your Pain Buster:

Now, you might be scratching your head and thinking, "Qi Gong? What's that? Isn’t that for old people?" Let's break it down. Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese practice that's all about slow, deliberate movements, deep breathing, and focusing the mind. The goal is to balance your body and mind - from head to toe.

In essence, Qi Gong is like your body's personal energy factory and self-applied massage and chiropractic treatment from inside out. It works to amp up your body's natural healing abilities, balance and aligns the musculoskeletal system, physiology, body’s natural rhythms.

Why Qi Gong Beats Other Options:

Sure, physical therapy and other treatments have their perks. But Qi Gong takes things a step further. It's not just about curing what ails you physically - it's about getting your mind and spirit in on the action too. By unlocking your body's 'Qi' or 'life energy', Qi Gong helps you kickstart your body's self-healing process, alleviate pain, improve your posture, and boost your flexibility.

Also, it’s not about just resolving the issues you’re dealing with today, it’s about preventing future problems as well. Qi gong helps to reprogram the way you move through life. It restores the natural, intrinsic movement you likely once had but los, so that you approach the activities of your life with more stability, agility and ability.

Qi Gong – A Long-Term Buddy:

Here's the best part – Qi Gong is sustainable. You can take things at your own pace and still reap the benefits. Whether you're an athlete, performer or a newbie, Qi Gong is your ticket to managing orthopedic pain naturally and long-term. Regular practice is incredibly empowering and can help you take charge of your life and get back to doing what you love – pain-free!

Wrap Up:

So, there you have it. Beating orthopedic pain doesn't have to mean a trip to the operating room, reliance on doctors and therapists or a lifetime prescription. With Qi Gong, you can live a healthier lifestyle, manage pain naturally, stay more focused and energized and regain your confidence.

If you want to learn more or you’re ready to start your journey to managing pain yourself then get ready to experience the Qi Gong transformation. Get in touch with us and let’s see if Qi Gong can help you.

Keywords: Qi Gong, orthopedic pain, natural remedy, life energy, body and mind balance, chronic pain relief, improved posture, flexibility, overall health, drug-free approach.