This message board is hosted by Andy Rosenfarb, Ken Andes & Kevin Chen.

Message Creator	Topic: Lymphedema
Cindy Lai Registered on 9/6/2005 8:08:00 AM	I suffered from breast cancer some 10 years ago and had undergone mastectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. I also had most of the lymph nodes removed from my right armpit. Since then, I have moderate lymphedema, ie swelling in my right arm. Three months ago, my friend introduced me to learn taiji five element and I keep on practising for roughly 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours daily, depending on my schedule. My objective is to improve the health condition, not aiming to improve the lymphedema. However, I notice that the swelling in my right arm have increased tremendously and I even have problem with bending my arm. I have difficulty with my existing clothing as well. I wonder if it is not appropriate for those people who have lymphedema to practice taiji five element or it is just a transitional problem. Grateful for your advice, please. Many thanks. ~ Cindy Message was created on 9/6/2005 8:23:22 AM
Kevin Chen Registered on 11/12/2003 12:17:23 PM	Dear Cindy, This is probably an unusual case among students who practice qigong since there is no way for qigong practice itself to make the situation worse in most cases. There are two possiblities in your situation, First, you had lymphedema before qigong practice that you did not realize, but only found the progessive symptom recently. Second, you did not have the symptom of lymphedema, but the potential sickness environment around lymph notes. The symptom you are experiencing is the result of motivated qi striking against the sickness locations. In any case, continuous intensive qigong practice should be able to achieve improvment of the symptom, not worse. If you practice five-element qigong properly, you may directly communicate with your lymph notes to minimize the lymphedema through qigong meditation. Sorry for a delayed response to your question. Hope everything will go well. Message was created on 11/7/2005 11:09:16 PM
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