Customer Reviews

Simple Qigong: Exercises for Back Pain Relief

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To start off, this DVD is for everyone, not just those unfortunate souls who experience back pain. The exercises shown in this DVD will make one's Taijiquan much more effective and powerful. Additionally, anyone who practices these exercises will develop a very strong and flexible back as well as enhance their mind-body connection, in essence becoming more aware of any potential health problems.

During the Qigong discussion on theory and history, which begins the DVD, Master Yang is shown practicing the various Qigong exercises. This is a good use of time, as it allows the viewer to immediately begin to follow along with appropriate movements. Explanations are provided about the differences between and benefits of Soft Qigong, Soft Hard Qigong and Hard Qigong.

This DVD has particular significance for me, as I suffered a severe back injury in the early 70's. I was told at the time that I would be partially disabled for life. Well, that's not what I wanted to hear. This injury, and its subsequent effect on my body, led me to begin learning Taijiquan in the late 70's. I then became intrigued with the health and martial aspects of Taijiquan, and as healthy as my back is now, it's easy to forget the original reason that I began my studies.
Although I was able to heal my back, I still on occasion get lower back pain. The first student to whom I began teaching Taijiquan is now a chiropractor. He gets frustrated at times because I never use him for any treatment on my back. Usually Taiji practice or very relaxed stretching is able to bring my lower back to a healthy condition.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Master Yang bending at the waist and as his hands hung down to the ground he began slowly wiggling his waist/back area to allow further stretching. This is exactly the same stretch I primarily use to deal with lower back pain. I had discovered it while trying various stretches to relieve pain in the lower back and found it to be basic in nature, yet effective in practice. My teacher showed me many similar exercises when I first began studying Taijiquan. At the time, they seemed to take away from the time learning the form. In retrospect, they are vital exercises that give the body skills necessary for the correct practice and execution of Taijiquan.

I use a hula hoop in my classes to demonstrate the presence of a loose waist. To make a hula hoop go around and around one needs flexibility, relaxation and coordination in the waist area. Jamba Juice frequently offers free health juices to anyone over fifty who can do the hula hoop for twenty seconds. I've gotten many a free juice using my loose hips. If you practice the exercises shown on this DVD, not only will you be able to use a hula hoop, but you will also gain a strong flexible back.

My philosophy has always been that if it hurts to bend at the waist, due to lower back pain, then you must embrace that position and slowly bend at the waist, while gradually relaxing all of the tight areas. If you avoid the movements that cause pain, they tend to get tighter and take longer to heal, at least, that's how my body reacts.

When Master Yang began to demonstrate some neck stretches, I had a moment of concern that he might do as many people do, which is mistakenly teach that one should roll the head in a circle, including back towards the spine. Fortunately, and well within character, Master Yang explained that stretching in that manner can compress the vertebrae and cause problems. I should have known that Master Yang, as someone who can walk the talk, would be totally aware of the potential problems resulting from such an ill advised neck stretch.

Following the loosening of the back muscles, then stretching techniques are shown for the torso, neck etc.. This is in line with similar viewpoints as expressed by Master Yang in other DVDs about the inter relationship of the organs and how the unhealthiness of one organ will in turn cause problems in others. Similarly, lower back problems can cause problems with other parts of the back as well as the structural parts of the body.

I do have a minor concern about one of the exercises. During one of the waist circling exercises, Master Yang suggests using a chair or the wall to support your leaning body as you practice the exercise. The video shows Master Yang using a wooden chair on a very shiny wooden floor. I would caution the viewer to use the wall instead, or make sure that the chair cannot slip forward, causing the practitioner to possibly fall flat on their face. Or use a counter top, which can't possibly slip.
At the end of the DVD, massage techniques for back pain are taught along with information on the various acupressure points that are useful in the treatment of back pain. The massage section is roughly one third of the DVD and is very thorough. Massage with a partner and sol massage are taught.

The following is a list of the DVD menu:

INTRODUCTION
FIVE REGULATINGS
IMPORTANT KEYS TO PRACTICE

QIGONG EXERCISES FOR BACK PAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
LOOSENING THE LOWER BACK
STRETCHING
SOFT/HARD SPINE QIGONG
HARD SPINE QIGONG

QIGONG MASSAGE FOR BACK PAIN
QI CAVITIES
GENERAL MASSAGE RULES
MASSAGE HAND FORMS
SELF MASSAGE
MASSAGING A PARTNER

I know nothing about Chi, all I knew is my back hurt and I was ready to try anything. These are very basic exercises I was able to do even while still in pain, and they have been helping. This is a VERY no-frills video, all filmed in an empty room, with a plain curtain backdrop, and his only prop is an occasional chair. Every movement is done in slow motion. So, don't expect an exciting video, but if you are like me, in pain with nothing to lose, give it a try, you'll be surprised how much it will help.

I enjoy the simplicity and depth in this profound transformative formula. It gives you the mental and physical tools to produce real change in your body and mind ... after 2 weeks my tai chi and computer programming have improved and that's just the start - there's a saying that your are as young as your back - if in doubt, buy this product and take the principles to heart. The combination of mind-body exercise with self-massage is a great formula. Best of luck on your healing/strengthening journey.

I have a family history of bad backs. My dad was bed bound for nine months when I was 3, my cousin almost had to have back surgery when she was 16, my sister is currently going to physical therapy for her back, and everyone in my family complains about lumbar back pain. Personally, my back has always felt weak and was prone to stiffness and spasms. I would often get pain in the left shoulder and the lower back, and more recently before I bought this DVD my neck had been consistently stiff on the left side for several months. This is where I should have gone to the doctor, and you should too. However I had gone before and they really hadn't done anything for me and I'm a stubborn man so I sought this out instead. Dr. Yang-Jwing Ming performs the exercises while somebody else narrates over it. If you're going to learn qigong, Dr. Yang-Jwing Ming is one of the best possible sources in modern society that you could learn from. The DVD is fairly easy to follow along with and tells you both the English and Chinese names for the movements, but expect to be crooking your neck for about the first week so you can see the screen to make sure you're doing the exercises right. Overall the DVD is fairly gentle until the ending exercises which the DVD warns you not to do until your back is healthier. The exercises bring you through motions that are commonly known to help bring your spine to its normal, healthy position along with exercises to help loosen, stretch, and strengthen your back. Once you bring your back to a healthier state, consult with your doctor to see if you can move onto a more intense exercise such as the hard qigong at the end of the DVD. For example I have found that yoga has greatly increased my back's strength and flexibility, and I had a woman with scoliosis tell me that hula-hooping helped her back greatly. As a warning, when I first started my back popped and cracked a lot for the first week or so. Gradually my back made less noise and became more flexible and I experienced pain less often. The very first benefit I noticed though was that my stiff neck disappeared after the first week. I've been using this for a little over six months at the time that I write this and I almost never feel back pain, and when I do it is my own fault as I push it too far in my exercises, just as if you overused any other muscle. Talk to your doctor and try this DVD, it will help you out a lot.

I have another CD of Chigong exercises that have a beautiful relaxing setting, which I enjoy very much. This is very stark in its presentation but I have found the movements, breathing, and gentle strength-building to be a great help for my back pain. I haven't been able to complete the entire program yet but that's my goal.

"Simple Qigong Exercises for Back Pain Relief" with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is one of the many Qigong DVDs Dr. Yang has released, with this one having the focus, as the titles says, on helping relieve pain and rebuild the strength and flexibility of your back. As someone who has had back problems since birth (spina bifida and other conditions), I was most interested in this program. I found the program useful, and I incorporated some of the program into my morning back ritual.

The DVD begins with a scene of Dr. Yang performing Qigong movements with a voice over providing a brief introduction to Qigong and the DVD program. The narrator then goes into explaining the Five Regulatings., Body, Breath, Mind, Qi, and Spirit. It's a very brief explanation, and while you hear the voice, you see Dr. Yang performing some movements. The narrator then discusses some important keys to practice, such as balance of body and mind, unification of internal and external, and mutual dependence of mind and breathing. These introductory comments take up almost ten minutes of the program, so again, they are brief and introductory.

When the program gets to the qigong exercises for back pain, there are first some instructions. The program then takes you through movements to loosen the lower back, stretching, soft and soft-hard spine qigong, and stationary hard qigong,

At the forty-two minute mark, the program goes into qigong massage for back pain. There is an explanation of what the massage is for, and then some basic qigong massage points and methods are demonstrated. Like the earlier portion of the program, the instruction is done with a voice over as the techniques are shown on a person laying on a table being massaged. General massage rules, hand forms, and self-massage and massaging a partner are covered. The entire program is approximately an hour and a half of instruction.

While I liked this DVD, found some good information, and generally found it a good addition to my qigong resources, it is not my favorite of Dr. Yang's Qigong DVDs, and here's why. I do not like programs that use a voice over as much as programs where the instructor teaches to the camera. I much prefer Dr. Yang's programs where he is actually doing the teaching. (I feel this way for all martial art and exercise instructional DVDs) I would have liked Dr. Yang to have talked us through the movements and massage techniques as he was doing them, rather than the voice over. That's just my personal preference.

There is a book that his DVD was made to accompany. I have not yet read the book, but would guess from my other books by Dr. Yang that it goes into more detail regarding some of the concepts than the DVD program. Using them both together would be ideal.

I think people who suffer back pain will be able to find relief through the exercises shown on this DVD, depending on why they have pain in the first place. I also think it is a good addition to a person's qigong library if they are studying qigong and want to learn about all areas of this Chinese practice.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series.

This dvd is very informative with clear demonstrations of the exercises. I have incorporated the exercises into my workout routine, and I do feel a bit more flexible in my stubborn lower back.

My only criticism is that I would
have liked a mode that simulated a session. Often the dvd shows a exercise and then moves on. I'd like to be able to follow as if in a class.

But this is a minor issue. Very good purchase!

There is only about 20 minutes of good information in the tape pertaining to the back exercise. The rest of the tape is boring and too long.