Pain when standing, sitting, or lying down, to the point of disrupting sleep, is a familiar struggle for many people living with lower back pain or sciatica. Master Yin Quan, Principal Instructor of Bai Yin Qigong, along with students Yu Mei and Hui Ying, shares how qigong practice became part of their approach to managing years of lower back pain and sciatica.
Yu Mei lived with sciatica for twenty years, while Hui Ying’s pain developed from years of overexertion. Both describe how practicing Bai Yin Qigong eventually reduced their reliance on regular massage and bodywork, and brought what they experienced as lasting relief from recurring back pain and discomfort.
Improving Qi and Blood Circulation: Addressing the Problem at Its Root
Sciatica is a common concern, and persistent pain can affect daily life and mood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine terms, Bai Yin Qigong’s approach centres on improving qi and blood circulation, viewed as a key factor in addressing lower back pain and discomfort. According to this framework, poor qi and blood circulation can contribute to weakness in the muscles and bones, potentially leaving areas such as the lower back more vulnerable to injury. Qigong practice is intended to support the flow of qi and the body’s overall vitality.
Master Yin Quan explains that with consistent daily practice, as qi and blood circulation improves, discomfort may gradually ease. As student Yu Mei put it, “After practicing qigong, I no longer needed massage or bodywork, and my body felt so much more relaxed.”
HarmonyQi Stress Relief: A Simple Starting Practice
Master Yin Quan points to HarmonyQi Stress Relief as a simple, accessible practice: a series of five-minute movements intended to support qi and blood circulation and offer relief for people experiencing lower back pain. Both Yu Mei and Hui Ying credit this introductory practice with helping them move past years of pain.
“I used to think there was no solution to my lower back pain,” Hui Ying shared. “But after I began practicing qigong, my whole body felt more energised, and the pain gradually faded. The experience was truly meaningful to me.”
Student Experiences
The accounts below reflect the personal experiences of two practitioners, shared as individual stories rather than guarantees of what qigong practice will do for any given person.
Yu Mei’s Story: For twenty years, sciatica made it difficult for Yu Mei to sit for long periods, and even flying became a challenge. After seeing Master Yin Quan demonstrate Palm Trembling, she decided to try qigong herself. She says the problems that had troubled her for years gradually improved, to the point that she no longer needed regular massage or bodywork, and she reports that a long-standing skin issue also cleared up. Now in her seventies, she describes her skin as smooth and her complexion as notably youthful. “I used to think these were just minor problems that came with aging,” she said. “I never imagined that qigong could help me move beyond the pain and improve my skin as well.”
Hui Ying’s Story: Hui Ying injured her lower back as a young woman after receiving an epidural during childbirth, and the pain intensified severely after the birth of her second child, at times leaving her barely able to get up. Years of persistent pain took an emotional toll. Introduced to Bai Yin Qigong by a friend, she began practicing HarmonyQi Stress Relief. “At that time, I was in so much pain that I wondered whether I would have to live the rest of my life this way,” she recalled. She says that as she continued practicing, her pain became less troubling and her overall condition gradually improved. Today she describes travelling with ease and no longer feeling held back by lower back pain.
Three Core Practices
HarmonyQi Stress Relief: A popular starting practice for many students. Just five minutes of daily practice is intended to support smoother circulation of qi and blood throughout the body and help relieve fatigue and discomfort associated with prolonged sitting or standing.
YoungQi Rejuvenation: Focused on supporting the body’s endocrine system, this practice is described as particularly relevant for women going through menopause, with the aim of helping restore a sense of youthful energy and vitality.
Amazing VitalQi: Designed for the chronic discomfort often associated with prolonged sitting and limited physical activity, this practice aims to help restore the body’s Awe-Inspiring Righteous Qi and support movement beyond pain.
A Practice Worth Exploring
Qigong is not presented as a quick fix, but the experiences of Yu Mei and Hui Ying illustrate how a sustained practice became part of their approach to significant, long-standing lower back pain and sciatica. For those living with similar discomfort, Bai Yin Qigong offers a structured way to explore whether this kind of practice might support their own health and quality of life.
This article shares individual practitioner experiences and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives on qigong practice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Anyone experiencing sciatica, chronic back pain, or other health concerns should consult a qualified healthcare provider.
