Headache

[JimiB]

Hi there,
I've been practicing qigong now for about 2 months. During the past four days ive developed a headache which hasn't gone away. Its like there is slight downward pressure on my forehead and this moves to the top of my head and iback again as if its floating around. Could this be a result of qigong as ive never experienced this before and is there any exercises i should try or avoid till it clears.
Thanks.

[Tim]

Your headache

Before I can attempt to guide you on this I will need a bit more back ground information on what type of Chi Kung exercises you are practising. Have you been taught by a competent Instructor or is your Chi Kung self taught.

It is possible to create blockages through incorrect practice. It is also possible to create tensions that result in a headache with lifestyle. (Posture, diet, job, stress etc). Itake it that you do not normally suffer from headaches then?

I must point out that I am not a qualified Doctor and if your headache persists then you should seek professional advise from you GP.

Otherwise you can gently apply pressure with your thumbs into the the two ridges at the base of your skull, (occipital ridges) they are located approx 1.5 inches from where your spine enters into your head (on either side). Hold your thumbs into these points for 20 to 30 seconds and breath gently. This will normally relieve pressure in the head.

If in doubt smile from the heart and have a chi flow, but I would still be interested to know what exercises you do?

[JimiB]

Hi Zbee,
Thanks for your reply. I've trained for one day with Sifu Wong and Joan and did a follow up day with Joan aswell and both days were great. I practise either lifting the sky, pushing mountains or carrying the moon followed by chi flow. I also do some standing meditation. My chi flow is normally gentle swaying however yesterday it became way more vigorous I kept turning around and around it was a little unsettling Im not sure if this is to do with the headaches. I've also tried doing the circulating head exercise out of sifu Wongs book but it still hasn't cleared it. Ive never had a similar headache that felt like this or lasted this long before. It isn't an intense pain more like slight pressure on my brain. Anyway I will try pressing those points and I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks.

[Antonius]

Hey Jimi.

How old are you?

Did you have any previous qigong or meditation experience before learning from Sifu Wong?

The 3rd Eye is located in the center of your forehead above and in between your eyebrows. The Baihui point is located at the top of your skull (if you draw lines up from your ears). Would you describe the pain as being cleary in one of these two points, or is it floating somewhere between them?

I wouldn't worry about whether the vigorous chi flow was related to the pains. I'd just continue my practice and let my chi do whatever it wants.

[JimiB]

Hi Antonious,
Im 26, I've had no previous qigong or meditation experience. I was doing some posture work which is seperate from qigong last week and I was just standing and I could feel energy shoot up from the ground up my spine and into my head. My head did feel strange after this but I developed the headache about two days later Im not sure if they're related. The pain is mainly at the third eye and floats up but not all the way to the Baihui point just to above the forehead. I did get four stitches there when I was about 10 years old again Im not sure if this has anything to do with it but I have read that qigong does bring old injuries to the surface. thanks for your help.

[Andrew]

Jimi,

What EXACTLY were you doing when you felt this energy surge from the ground. And how would you describe the sensations during and immediately after this. Were you, for example, attempting any visualisation or similar at the time? Are you continuing with the "posture work" or have you stopped? Please attempt to describe this "posture work".

I would suggest you may like to stop the posture work at least for the time being (in case it was the cause or participated towards it) and emphasise the self manifested chi flow exercise you will have learnt from Sifu. If you have (or have created) a blockage in your head, this exercise will help to clear it away quickly. Don't be concerned about whether the chi flow is vigorous or not, nor any other aspect of the chi flow. Just allow it to work for and on you without any intellectualising of the what, where, why, how etc.

Andrew

[Darryl]

Muddying the waters

Hi Jimi,

And just to jump in, it could also be a great thing that is happenning. If in doubt, see how you feel after your practice. Happy, joyous, energetic = good. Stressed, tired, irritable = bad. Also, there is a world of difference between 'good pain' and 'bad pain'. How does the pressure actually feel to you? How is your life in general just now? You've also mentioned a previous injury, how does it feel if the pressure occurs there?

My advice (as always) is simple - see how you feel & enjoy your practice.

[Antonius]

It could be your 3rd Eye opening. It could be an old injury clearing. It could be a minor blockage created by the release of energy in other parts of your body.

It could be a lot of things.

I agree with Darryl. Unless it's a very "bad" pain that continues for some time, I don't see a reason to worry. I do, however, see lots of reasons NOT to worry.

There are lots of growing pains that develop in practicing qigong. Those of us who've been practicing for a few years could tell some "cleansing" stories that would make you squirm.

[Darryl]

Ugh

Originally posted by Antonius
Those of us who've been practicing for a few years could tell some "cleansing" stories that would make you squirm.

It could be a great thread too, but I'm not starting it!

[Alex]

Do tell! I remember in one of sifu's books, he mentions an opium addict who had black faeces for a month from practising chi kung and developed some pyshcic powers later on.

[Joan]

Back to Jimmy

Hi Jimmy,

I agree with all the previous good advice and especially with doing the Self-Manifested chi flow. This is an excellent exercise and should not be underestimated. If you are not sure of it, just get in contact again.

I will be in Galway the first Sunday of December, and will send you details shortly on this.

Let us know how you get on,

Smile from the Heart,
Joan.

[Black Hole]

Earth Force

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JimiB
[B]I could feel energy shoot up from the ground up my spine and into my head.


I hope I am not muddying the water by adding this

Jimmy, I think during your posture work you were receiving a powerful earth force which could be the cause of your headache.Because of your Chikung training with Sifu Wong and Joan,your lower dan tian is activated and you are now able to tap chi more efficiently.

Pay attention on your feet position when you do posture work (wuxi stance).The position of the feet is connected with the thoracolumbal fascia (A fibrous tissue that covers the deep muscle of the back and that,among other things, is attached to the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae) which in their turn influence the passage of the earth force through the life gate(Ming Men)in the lower back.
The optimal position of the feet is parallel,pointing straight forward.
When the tip of the feet are turned inward, the fascia open sideways and the passage of the earth force increases too much,which could be your case.You could also experience dizziness or a feeling that you are going to explode.Receiving too much force in a very short time is not good for your health!.
Sifu Wong emphasizes for not practising chikung at noon or during a thunderstorm.
While earth force can be very forceful, we in Wahnam emphasize more on heaven force because of the better source and quality.

I agree with the previous good advices, nl stop for the time being your posture work,you have more reasons not to worry about your headache,more emphasize on Self -Manifested chi flow and smile from the Heart.

If your headache persists more than a few weeks or becomes worse, you might consult your GP,especially if you have no previous history of headcahe.

[JimiB]

Hi there,
Andrew as regards the posture work I was doing it was something shown to me by an english taichi/alexander technique instructor. I'll try to explain it as best I can, you need a partner to do this. You begin with with your feet shoulder with apart, you let go of all the tension in your body, then you leen back onto your partner whos behind and who supports you with there torso and hip. They guide you back a little until you give them your weight fully and then they gently put you back into a horizontal position. If done correctly then you should experience standing without any tension in your body. When I've done this I've experienced energy shooting upwards and sometimes my head would just pop.
PS Hi Joan hope your keeping well, great to hear your coming to Galway again look forward to it.

[Andrew]

Hi Jimi,

Thanks for the explanation. I must say that I don't quite understand it (btw - you did mean vertical didn't you?). Sounds like it could be very relaxing though. Just not too keen on the head popping .

Andrew

[JimiB]

Hi Andrew,
Yeah that was suppose to be vertical must be my sore head