What is a Session like?
By Thomas Leichardt, DMQ (China)

Recently, one of my qigong students asked me what a session with me looks like, and as I wrote the answer, I thought it perfect to share for those that are curious on this list:

The healing session begins with a health interview, where I inquire about your chief complaint or intention for coming to see me. From there I ask questions to familiarize myself with your situation, and from your answers I put together a theory in my mind as to what the condition is and how to address it. Next, you lay down on the treatment table. I perform a short meditation to prepare myself and the room, and from there I proceed with energetic assessment, as well as pulse and tongue diagnosis. Using qi perception and listening skills I feel into any energetic disturbances or areas of weakness, further expanding on my theory as to your energetic state and how to address it. Following is the actual treatment, which lasts about 25-35 minutes. Just like in qigong class, what I am doing is purging areas of excess or stagnation, strengthening areas of weakness, and then regulating your qi dynamic. In a sense, I am doing qigong for you, initiating patterns of health, that you can then further nurture with qigong exercises that I prescribe specific to your condition.

For acupuncture, I use sterile disposable needles as mandated by law, and my needling skill has been described as both smooth and painless. Most people hardly feel the needle insertion, or describe the sensation akin to a mosquito bite. However, after insertion many report the sensation of qi flowing through some of the points or channels; described as warm, tingling, or heavy.

Pain, physical or emotional, is a form of qi stagnation. In that sense, I can dip in energetically and move the stagnation to create relief. Often the stagnation is emotional in nature, and I find myself pulling out aspects of past pain such as anger or grief, but physical pain can also be addressed in this manner. It is important to note that no emotion is seen as negative, however, it is when the energy becomes stuck, congealed, and cut off from its natural flow that it causes problems. To that end, I loosen its stagnation, facilitate its proper release, and ensure its proper flow. I use my knowledge of energetic anatomy to accomplish this, having spent years in training to learn the various pathways both through scholastic study as well as experience through the inner alchemy meditations and qigong practices that move qi in the body-mind. I use the points, channels, and organ systems recognized in Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as the dantians, chakras, and center core energetics that are recognized in Daoist Chinese Medicine.

As many of you know, I’ve been practicing medical qigong for about 12 years now. However, to supplement my medical qigong practice, about 3 years ago I entered a four year Chinese herbology and acupuncture training program, and over the next year I will be completing my clinical internship training in these two new areas of study. To fulfill my training, I am offering acupuncture treatments at the Five Branches clinic in San Jose.

Currently, my clinic times are:

• Wednesday: 9 am to 4 pm
• Thursdays: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Appointments can be made by calling the clinic at (408) 260-8868.

I often combine medical qigong with acupuncture (and herbs if necessary) during these treatment sessions, and I really enjoy blending these medicines! Cost wise, this is great for every one, because not only are internship clinic treatments very affordable, but the school is also offering a special to all new patients for the first three treatments. Please contact the clinic at (408) 260-8868 for further details or to make an appointment.