Hand Tech 1

Question 1

Attributes to cultivate to become a better practitioner:

Answer 1

1. Relaxation, 2. Structure/Body Alignment, 3. Internal connection, 4. Intention, 5. Internal Awareness

Question 2

Relaxation

Answer 2

Relax mind, body, and breath so the energy can flow more easily thru pract’s body. Allows practitioner to listen with hands and to use force for penetrating deeply. Smooth body mechanics.

Question 3

Structure/Body Alignment

Answer 3

Aligning one’s own tissues so force is easily and efficiently generated and transmitted. Allows practitioner to work without strain to prevent fatigue and injury. Ensures that energy and force comes from the core of the body and legs. Makes application of force efficient.

Question 4

Internal Connection

Answer 4

Using the body as one connected whole and moving from the core. Perform techniques/transmit information and listen with whole connected body. Practitioner’s qi connects and syncs with patient’s qi. Facilitated by the 3 external harmonies: shoulder harmonizes with hip, elbow with knee, wrist with ankle.

Question 5

Intention

Answer 5

Guiding your relaxed, aligned, connected body to affect change in a specific manner. Visualizing the goal and seeing it through. Embodies the 3 internal harmonies: Mind (shen) harmonizes with intention (Yi), Intention (Yi) with energy (qi), energy (qi) with force (Li).

Question 6

Internal Awareness

Answer 6

With a heightened awareness of self, the practitioner will become more sensitive and aware of the patient’s energy, anatomy and physiology.

Question 7

Contraindications for Tui Na

Answer 7

Diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy, osteoporosis, recent stroke, cancer/tumor, recent surgery, heart disease, skin lesions or serious dermatological problems, blood clots.

Question 8

Qigong Basic Stance

Answer 8

1. bend knees slightly
2. sink tailbone, relax lumbar
3. erect head, as if suspended by a string into Du 20
4. slightly tuck chin - open du 15/16
5. relax waist and hips
6. round upper back, gently press shoulder blades forward
7. soften chest muscles, chest is slightly concave
8. relax shoulders, drop elbows
9. tongue tip on the roof of the mouth, connecting du and ren channels
10. breathe relaxed, lower abdomen moves with breath
11. mind relaxed and focused - be aware of the whole body

Question 9

3 common qigong mistakes

Answer 9

1. forced breathing, 2. labored use of strength, 3. throwing out chest and sucking in abdomen

Question 10

ball holding

Answer 10

qi to hands and fingers

Question 11

wei tuo presents the pestle

Answer 11

strengthens shoulder girdle, elbows, wrists.

Question 12

plucking and resetting the stars

Answer 12

strengthens legs, pectorals, biceps, wrist.

Question 13

pulling nine oxen by their tails

Answer 13

strengthens legs and rotational strength of forearm. helpful for rolling, pushing, and chafing.

Question 14

three dishes falling to the ground

Answer 14

high horse stance. strengthens legs, aligns back.

Question 15

prone tiger pouncing on its prey

Answer 15

strengthens back, arms, fingers.

Question 16

3 parts of the back protocol

Answer 16

Compressions, Decompressions/Traction, Later Decompressions. Each part performed on the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral areas. Warm up and finishing techniques exist too.

Question 17

purpose of back protocol

Answer 17

regulate the spine and abdominal cavity

Question 18

Function and effects of Compressions

Answer 18

• Compresses the spine longitudinally and from lateral to medial.
• Accentuates the spine’s natural curves.
• Slackens ANTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT and other intervertebral ligaments.
• Opens and stimulates qi and blood flow to and from Du meridian.
• Increases circulation of qi, blood, fluids around the spinal column.

Question 19

Function and effects of Decompressions/Traction

Answer 19

• Decompresses the spine longitudinally.
• Opens intervertebral spaces - takes pressure off of discs, nerves, vertebrae.
• Allows energy to course thru the Du/spine. -Stretches POSTERIOR LONGITUDINAL LIGAMENT and SUPRASPINOUS LIGAMENTS.
• Traction, mobilization of sacrum frees up lower jiao and Dan Tian.
• Allows practitioner to assess restrictions of natural movement.

Question 20

Function and effects of Lateral Decompressions

Answer 20

• Decompresses the spine laterally.
• takes pressure off of the sides of the spine
• open joints where ribs and transverse processes meet
• frees up movement of the ribcage
• Thoracic: release spinal erector muscles and intertransverse ligaments. Spinal erector muscles gently stretched away from the spine
• Lumbar: spinal erector muscles and quadratus lumborum gently stretched away from the spine
• Sacrum: gently stretch gluteal muscles away from PSIS and sacrum. Release the sacrotuberal ligament
• sacral foramen (ba liao points): sexual organs, lower body

Question 21

clinical indications for the back protocol

Answer 21

Acute back pain, chronic back pain, disc herniation/compression/degeneration, osteoarthritis, neck pain, spondylolisthesis (one vertebra slips anteriorly), scoliosis, muscle spasm, sciatica, hip pain.