Qigong and Fibromyalgia: A Natural Approach to Managing Chronic Pain

Medical Qi Gong for Fibromyalgia Relief: Research & My Personal Journey

Can a 2500-year-old energy healing practice relieve fibromyalgia pain without medication? Research says yes—and it saved my life twice.

The Day Fibromyalgia Stole My Life

I'll never forget that dark, stormy day in the Bay Area when I lay in bed, unable to move. Every muscle screamed. Every joint ached. Even the wind blowing through my hair felt like needles piercing my scalp.

Fibromyalgia had completely taken over my body.

After visiting doctor after doctor with no relief, I felt hopeless, exhausted, anxious, and ready to give up.

That's when a friend introduced me to Medical Qi Gong and Dr. Arnold Tayam 22 years ago. I was skeptical. How could gentle movements and breathwork possibly touch this level of pain?

What the Research Shows About Qi Gong and Fibromyalgia

Before I share what happened next, let me tell you what science has discovered about qi gong for fibromyalgia relief.

Multiple clinical trials confirm qi gong's effectiveness:

• In a study featured in the Integrative Medicine Research, researchers found that, “The experimental group experienced greater clinical improvements when compared to the control group on the mean score differences of pain, sleep quality, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia impact, all being statistically significant at p < 0.05.” In other words, “Daily practice of Qigong appears to have a positive impact on the main fibromyalgia symptoms that is beyond group interaction.”
• In 2025, four randomized controlled trials recently showed that.” Qigong exercises are effective on fibromyalgia severity, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. It has also been found to be effective in self-efficacy, coping strategies, balance, muscle strength, flexibility, and cardiac autonomic function.
• Another study showed that the patients with fibromyalgia improved after entering a 6-week qi gong program; this study also showed that for two participants in particular, other health issues such as elevated CA-125 (a marker for ovarian cancer) and uncontrollable crying also improved.

The key finding? When qi gong is practiced regularly, the improvements are not just statistically significant, but life-changing.

My Fibromyalgia Breakthrough (And Why Standard Qi Gong Wasn't Enough)

Back to my story. I started practicing medical qi gong with Dr. Tayam. Within weeks, something shifted. Medical qi gong is a more clinical form of qi gong address specific energetic patterns that cause chronic illness like fibromyalgia.

The crushing pain began to ease. My anxiety quieted. Energy slowly returned to my exhausted body. 

But here's what changed everything: I felt even more relief when I modified my medical qi gong practices for my sensitive, empathic nervous system.

You see, as an empath, my body processes energy differently.

When I adjusted the practices to honor my unique energy signature, the fibromyalgia pain resolved completely.

This is what Dr. Tayam taught me—to follow the foundation principles of the qi gong forms AND apply them to my own unique path and flow so that I could relax deeply and let go of pain.

I was so transformed and inspired that I entered Dr. Tayam's three-year advanced certification program and became a professional medical qi gong practitioner.

For 15 years, I thrived—helping others while living pain-free with abundant energy.

When Fibromyalgia Returned: Narcissistic Abuse and My Second Battle

Then life threw me a curveball I never saw coming.

I married someone who turned out to be a covert narcissist. Slowly, deliberately, everything I'd built—my health, my practice, my spiritual growth—was dismantled by the person I loved most.

The stress triggered a devastating relapse. Fibromyalgia returned with a vengeance. I developed shingles all over my face and head. The nerve pain was so severe that even a gentle breeze felt like fire on my skin.

But this time, I had tools. And a deeper understanding.

The Five Energy Tanks That Change Everything

Through prayer and divine guidance, I refined the qi gong protocols I'd used for years. I discovered that fibromyalgia doesn't just deplete physical energy—it drains all five elemental energy tanks that rule:

1. Physical vitality  (water element tank)
2. Protection & Safety (metal element tank: physical immunity, spiritual and energetic safety)
3. Abundance of health and wealth (wood element tank)
4. Spiritual alignment (fire element tank: disconnection from God’s energy and peace)
5. Emotional centeredness (earth element tank)

When I started refueling all five tanks systematically—not just addressing physical symptoms—I healed faster than I thought possible. Without years of counseling. Without antidepressants.

Why Natural Medical Qi Gong Therapy Works When Other Interventions Fail

Here's what I've learned after 22 years as a Medical Qi Gong practitioner specializing in fibromyalgia and trauma recovery:

Fibromyalgia is an energy crisis. Your nervous system is stuck in constant "danger mode," creating inflammation, pain, and exhaustion.

Qi gong addresses the root cause by:

• Calming your overactive nervous system
• Releasing trapped emotional energy
• Restoring proper energy flow through meridians
• Rebuilding depleted reserves systematically

Most importantly, you can do it yourself once you learn the proper techniques—restoring your power to guide and influence your healing journey instead of depending on medications or weekly appointments.

Getting Started: What Fibromyalgia Patients Need to Know

Based on research and my two decades of clinical experience, here's what works:

Practice consistently: The studies showing the largest benefits involved 30-60 minutes of daily practice for 6-8 weeks.

However, this was with participants who were given standard not medical qi gong practices.

With medical qi gong practices, clients benefit with as little as 5-10 minutes spread throughout the day.

My clients who have hyper busy lives find shorter but more impactful practices far more accessible and easier in terms of consistency and impact.

Modify for your body: If you're an empath or highly sensitive person, medical qi gong practices are highly adaptable to varying physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Address all five energy tanks: Physical symptoms are just one piece. When we intentionally activate our five elemental energy tanks we also engage more effective emotional regulation, mental clarity, spiritual alignment, and healthier relationship boundaries.

Be patient with yourself: Research shows benefits appear within weeks, but optimal results with the Aiki Healing medical qi gong resets usually take 90 days to reach fullest efficacy.

Your Next Step Toward Natural Fibromyalgia Relief

If you're exhausted from trying everything—medications that don't work, therapies that cost a fortune, doctors who don't understand—I want you to know there's hope.

I've been where you are. Twice. And I found my way back to vibrant health using Medical Qi Gong practices modified for sensitive, empathic nervous systems.

You can learn more about my journey and training background here, or start with our free 2-minute audio qi gong reset to begin calming and nourishing the nervous system.

Your body remembers how to heal. Sometimes it just needs the right energy medicine to remember the way home.

About the Author: Kay Hutchinson is a Certified Advanced Medical Qi Gong Practitioner (CAMQ) with 22+ years of experience specializing in fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and narcissistic abuse recovery. She certified at Longevity Center & Institute, under the tutelage of Dr. Arnold Tayam and is a pioneer in using energy medicine for trauma healing for empaths and narcissistic abuse recovery.

References:

• Sarmento, C. V. M., Moon, S., Pfeifer, T., Smirnova, I. V., Colgrove, Y., Lai, S. M., & Liu, W. (2020). The therapeutic efficacy of Qigong exercise on the main symptoms of fibromyalgia: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Integrative Medicine Research, 9(4) 100416.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2020.100416
  
  
• Çamur Ünlü, E., & Kaplan Serin, E. (2025). Effect of Qigong exercises on symptoms seen in fibromyalgia patients: A systematic review. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 31(2), 42-48. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39565702/

• Liu, W., Zahner, L., & Wang, Y. (2013). Qigong exercise in patients with fibromyalgia: Two cases. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18(2), 97-103. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587212464652