Thursday, April 19, 2012

QIGONG MASSAGE

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.  -Lao Tzu


Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still. - Chinese Proverb
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I think you can imagine that when faced with a chronic disabling condition, such as Autism, you are willing to consider many different treatment methods. From the treatments supported with the most medical evidence to those supported with only anecdotal evidence, nothing is off the table.

There are many questions we discuss before we are willing to give a new ameliorative effort a try.  Is there any risk to our child?  What is the evidence that it works?  What is the theory behind it?  Does it introduce something foreign into our child's system?

I can tell you this:  I am willing to try any low cost, non-invasive treatment based on a handful of anonymous positive reports from the comments section of a blog.  You want me to wear a powdered wig and wear my shirt backwards while dancing on one leg bellowing out an ancient Mayan chant?  Show me where I can get a wig.  (http://www.beautyselect.com/bargain-colonial-man-1.html)

Enter the Qigong Massage.

About 2 years ago, my wife read an article reporting on the positive effects of pediatric massage therapy on children suffering with cancer. A little further Internet research and she read about the positive reports of parents learning and performing Qigong massage on children with Autism.

If you are interested you can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong_Sensory_Training

We are about 6 weeks into performing the massage methods on our Little Man.  At first, it was a little challenging to get him to keep still.  But we have since gotten into a groove.  He is starting to really enjoy it and even asks for it by name.

Best of all, we have seen some positive changes in our Little Man since we started.  He seems calmer, clearer, more engaged and happier.  This is definitely something we will keep doing and, so far, would recommend.

4 comments:

  1. A frustrating element to blogging and commenting is that you can craft a lovely response to someone and they might not ever know or see it. :) So I be-bopped on over here to your blog to see what interesting thing you did for 'Q' and to paste the reply to my "Q" post here so that you might actually see it!

    Love this post!! It made me chuckle (the wig part). Quite honestly, before I read it, I was thinking 'a Star Wars massage???" But alas, I am was only mildly confused...Or maybe, as you conduct this awesome massages you can pretend you are a Jedi Master using the Force to heal!!! Yeah, that's it!

    I was also, baffled, being the reading specialist that I am, at a 'Q' word without a 'U'...what is this?! We all know 'q and u' are happily betrothed! They go together everywhere!

    And this was just my pondering your title! I think waaaaaaaay too much!

    Anyway, babbling aside, I learned something new today so THANK YOU! I will certainly look into the technique!

    I can SO relate, as well, to being willing and open to nearly any and all methods of assessment and treatment - we went through similar things with our son. I will never forget spending an entire day with him in a little white room while he endured HOUR AFTER HOUR of allergy testing. He lay there like a pin cushion, little needles all over his back, my face in his little face, and willing myself to take his place. I'm with ya.

    So here's my reply to your comment on my post:

    Thank you, Justin! So many people just 'autopilot' through life. I see it in some of the people closest to me. Being fully alive, having life and having it abundantly takes intention and focus. It requires us to 'notice' and then really observe around us and in us. An example of how I live this way daily vs. the average 'eyes half closed' person: today after a loooooooong meeting I went to my car to go home. I piled my junk into the passenger seat and when I stood back up, noticed a beautiful butterfly hovering around my windshield near me. I stared at it, and got very still, hoping it would land close to me or even on me. I waited as that butterfly hovered and circled there, and I marveled at how beautiful it was - a deep black with cobalt blue spots. Most people probably wouldn't glance up long enough to notice. Most are already trudging forward, on to the next 'thing', head down, focusing on the chores at home, dinner, etc. etc. For many reasons, I live more with that child-like wonder that makes kids stop and notice the tiniest things and they find great fascination in their discoveries. I do too.

    As for his list, yes, it is quite perfect. One thing I am hoping to do this summer is hike into this waterfall we have here where I live, and tree hammock overnight right there by the falls. Aaaahhhh...going to make it happen. Post to follow. :) Look for it this summer.

    And this is long...does it count as a post if I title it something that starts with R???

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  2. Many errors in the above post...today's meeting fried all ability to re-read and edit. My apologies.

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  3. It's so great you have been able to find ways to help him be more comfortable and succeed. Great goals for any parent!

    New follower here. I’m enjoying reading my fellow “A to Z”ers. I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  4. I practiced kung-fu years ago and we did a bit of qigong as part of our training, so I have an idea about the health benefits it generates. However, I never knew it could be used as a massage technique on children with autism. It's wonderful to see qigong having a positive effect on your child. Thank you for sharing! (:

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