About Qigong
This page lists out some key information on my pending peripheral neuropathy study. Information on that can be found in the following section.
Other general information, including an FAQ, can be found further down the page.
Information on treatments and other training are directly blow the FAQ.
Peripheral Neuropathy Study
I am currently working on my doctoral program for Chinese Medicine. As part of the process, I developed a study and Medical Qigong treatment protocol to address the symptoms associated with neuropathy. At the end of the study, my thesis, if proven, will show Medical Qigong to be an effective adjunct treatment for those looking to reduce neuropathy symptom severity and improve overall quality of life.
I am currently seeking between 12 and 16 participants over two, nine-week sessions beginning in early 2026. In exchange for agreeing to the terms of the study, I am waiving all treatment fees for participants–a savings of $1,300.
For all the details, see below. To apply to the study, email here. I will be placing and scheduling participants for the first session through 15 Dec.
Who is eligible?
There are no restrictions in this study. It is open to anyone, male or female; any age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. A formal peripheral neuropathy diagnosis from a Western doctor is not necessary. You do not need to be diabetic, but diabetics are welcome to apply.
If you have any of the following symptoms, you are a possible candidate for this study:
- Muscle weakness and paralysis
- Muscle atrophy
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Imbalance and clumsiness
- Pain
All treatments sessions will be conducted in person, so I am implementing a 15-mile radius from Belleville, IL. If you live within that circle, apply at this email.
How long is the study?
The study takes place over 37 weeks in 2026.
Initial treatment sessions being the week of 5 January 2026 and final data collection will conclude mid-September 2026.
I will conclude my analysis and publish the results by the end of October, 2026.
What do I expect from you?
The study has a few requirements, but nothing too extreme or difficult to manage.
In no particular order, I expect:
- You make your scheduled appointment times. We will meet 8 times during the 9-month study window. While the appointment times and frequency vary each month, typical meetings will take about 90 minutes.
- You complete a short, 36-question survey every four weeks during the study period. The survey questions are the same each time. Expect the time required to complete each survey to be between 15 and 20 minutes.
- Timely responses to email correspondence. I need all preliminary data collection (see below) completed no later than Friday, 12 Dec 2025. Additionally, I will be sending out email reminders the week prior to the surveys coming due.
- If on medication, you continue taking it regardless of changes in perceived need for the medication. I am not a physician or pharmacist and cannot and do not recommend any such changes without consulting your primary medical team.
- You continue to live your life and routines. There is no need to change anything you normally do.
- If you are pregnant, may become, or are planning on becoming pregnant during the study window, you are ineligible for this study.
What data will I collect?
Required Information
- I will be sending out a medical history form to all selected participants in December. I ask this be completed no later than 12 Dec 2025. We will discuss and update, as needed, during the first treatment session in January.
- I will be collecting vitals during each session, as well as conducting tongue and pulse diagnosis. I will also be capturing additional details concerning your individual neuropathy situation before and during treatment.
- I will need 10 completed survey responses over the course of the 37 weeks. Schedules for this will be detailed separately.
Optional Information
Optional questions I will ask in the intake and follow-on sessions include:
- Ability to engage in a lifestyle or activity affected by your symptoms
- Duration or time-frame within which you have experienced your symptoms
- Whether or not you are taking medication to manage your symptoms, and if yes, the name / category, dosage, and frequency taken.
- If you are being seen by another doctor / specialist / practitioner for your symptoms, by whom (titles only, no names) and for how long.
How will my data be secured?
Because I am completing the analysis on my personal laptop, I am specifically limiting collected data to not build a PII connection within a single record or to the overarching database.
All results will be aggregated and de-indentified from all individual input beyond the following:
- I will describe the population in terms of numbers of males and females, average age of participants.
- If sufficient data exists in the optional categories (see “What data will I collect?” above), I will include raw numbers of participants on medication, but not what that medication is or any specific dosing information; whether and how many participants are currently under the care of another to address symptoms; and duration of symptoms information, if it adds value to the analysis.
Participation in this study is voluntary. You may opt out of this study before it begins, or discontinue participation at any time.
Benefits for participants.
There are several benefits participants may realize through the course of the study.
Participants may experience an overall reduction in severity of their symptoms. This can include:
- a lessening of the impact of symptoms on their ability to engage in an activity or lifestyle,
- a positive impact on their sense of wellbeing, and
- an improvement in overall quality of life.
Additionally, participants will receive 8 Medical Qigong treatments at no-to-low “cost”
- all treatment fees are waived for participants–a savings of over $1,300 (the monetary “no cost”); and
- low time investment–as mentioned above, the schedule varies by week, but you can expect to devote between 30 minutes to 2 hours per week over 27 weeks (the “low-cost”). That said, there are 8 weeks, mostly toward the end of the study, where your time commitment is 0 minutes per week.
Selfishly (for me), participants may gain the knowledge, experience, and satisfaction of knowing others suffering from similar symptoms have an additional resource in their symptom-management toolkit.
Risks for participants
Overall risk for participating in this research study is LOW.
You may experience emotional responses (i.e. feelings of sadness, anxiety, etc.) to treatment that may be uncomfortable.
Legally, I am not clergy, a medical doctor, or a lawyer. There is no expectation of confidentiality: if you divulge participation in or knowledge of illegal activities in the course of treatment, I will report to proper authorities in order to maintain my own legal separation. This may result in removal from the research study and possible legal consequences for you up to and including jail time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Qi (pronounced “chee”) is vital energy that infuses every living thing. It flows along channels deep within and on the surface of the body, and permeates the body, nourishing and supporting the internal organs and systems. It can be directed to certain
body areas to promote healing and can accumulate in others.
Qi can accumulate and stagnate in the organs, joints, and channels due to emotional or physical injuries, improper diet or lack of exercise, or from karma incurred through one’s own action or inaction, or the karma from parents and ancestors. If the Qi stagnates for a long time, it can become a Qi deviation, and cause additional pain and disease. Often, Qi stagnates in the internal Yin and Yang organs and manifests through a variety of symptoms.
Qi (pronounced “chee”) is vital energy that flows within us. Gong means skill or work, often the skill that comes from work. It is pronounced like a gong, but with the a long-O: g(oh)ng.
Qigong is the study and practice of cultivating Qi through various breathing techniques, postures, and moving and still meditations. There are three schools based on the intention of the practitioner: martial, medical, and spiritual. Many of the meditations
and techniques are the same between the three schools, however, the overall intended use of the cultivated Qi determines to which school you belong.
Martial Qigong is often compared to kung fu with the intent to generate power to defend yourself, your family, and your community.
Medical Qigong practitioners cultivate Qi to heal themselves and others.
Spiritual Qigong study focuses on self-awareness, tranquility, and harmony with nature. It leads to greater insights about the very nature of existence.
Interestingly, yes and no.
Qi Deviations (Qi not doing what it should) can occur through poor posture or inappropriate breathing and meditation techniques. That said, deviations are correctable by yourself or with help from a skilled practitioner.
By the time you have cultivated enough Qi to cause serious deviations, your control over your own Qi can mitigate and even prevent them.
Practicing Qigong can result in a variety of potential benefits, including:
– Stress Reduction
– Improved Digestion and Sleep
– Improved Circulation
– Strengthened Immune Function
– Improved Overall Health and Well-Being
– Increased Energy
– Balanced Emotions
– Heightened Awareness
Importantly, cultivating Qi through qigong practices is a little like compound interest in your bank account. It isn’t fast, but it grows stronger over time. Consistent practice and self-care is the key.
Qigong is not for everyone, but it is for anybody.
Just like it translates, Qigong is WORK. Some of the hardest work you’ll ever do, in fact.
It takes discipline, time, and consistent practice to really embody. And the effects may take a while to manifest.
The kicker is, qigong can be considered exercise–and it’s a great exercise. But, similar to meditation, qigong is something you become, not necessarily something you just do.
Broadly, Medical Qigong comes in two forms: Self-Healing (the “regular”) and Qi Emission.
Self-Healing is pretty much like it sounds. Physical exercises, postures, and movements; breathing exercises; and meditations designed to promote better health, energy, balance, strength, and self-awareness. Practitioners teach these to clients directly to address a need, or as a prescription homework exercise to continue the work from a prior Qi Emission treatment.
Qi Emission is a therapeutic process made possible through dedicated training, practice, and study. Also like it sounds, the practitioner emits Qi into and around a client to regulate their internal and external energies.
Medical Qigong Practitioners practice both.
Self-Healing to keep ourselves healthy, energetically clean, and with enough energy to work on others (Qi Emission).
Qi emission therapies–as with other Traditional Chinese Medicine disciplines–focus on the whole human-energetic system rather than specific symptoms. Those symptoms are addressed in the immediate treatment, but also at the underlying root level.
As with a visit to your primary care provider, your Medical Qigong practitioner conducts an intake interview and assessment prior to any treatment or prescriptions.
For the treatment itself, clients relax in a chair or lie back on an exam/massage table. Unlike a traditional massage, Medical Qigong clients remain fully clothed, although may be asked to remove shoes, glasses, or jewelry to facilitate particular treatment protocols.
Following the treatment, clients learn homework prescriptions (i.e. exercises, meditations, etc.) to continue the work post-session. This is really where the client begins taking charge of their own healing.
The treatment session and prescirptions can be taxing and emotional. It’s all part of the process and will be discussed in detail during session.
Beginning to end, treatment sessions run from 90 to 120 minutes depending on intake (initial vs. follow-on) and depth of work–some protocols take longer.
Normal, follow-on types of treatment session usually last between 60 and 90 minutes.
The initial intake will add 30 minutes. Secondary protocols may add additional time. Most treatments, including teaching prescription exercises do not last longer than 120 minutes.
Currently, treatments cost $135. If it is the very first session, I will conduct a thorough initial intake and go over medical history.
The initial intake is an additional $100, but will only occur the first time.
Total cost: $135 or $235.
I have multi-treatment packages available with price discounting available.
As with single treatments, there will be an initial intake that runs $100. This will be included in the pricing list below.
Additionally, there are time limits within which the treatments need to be scheduled and conducted.
For standard energetic treatments, I have 3-, 5-, and 10-sessions packages that offer savings of between $75-$210.
I also offer in-depth 6-, 12-, and 24-session packages that include 2 sessions each week–one standard treatment and a second personalized instruction plan tailored to individual needs and goals. Savings with these packages range between $230-$540.
Medical Qigong Treatments
I make house calls!
Get a Medical Qigong treatment session in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
I need room enough to set up a standard size massage table. You remain fully clothed during the treatment, but it’s nice to lie back and relax. You can also sit in a comfortable chair if that suits you better.
Sessions last between 90-120 minutes depending on the need for the initial intake.
Costs: $150 (+$100 for initial intake)
I can come to you at a location of your choosing.
I no longer schedule at the Four Seasons in St. Louis, but am open if you have a location. Any fees for room rental will be added to the treatment fee.
I need room enough to set up a standard size massage table if one is not available. You remain fully clothed during the treatment, but it’s nice to lie back and relax. You can also sit in a comfortable chair if that suits you better.
Sessions last between 90-120 minutes depending on the need for the initial intake.
Costs: $150 (+$100 for initial intake)
I make (virtual) house calls!
While in-person treatments may involve some light touch and adjustment of limbs to open channels, the actual work of Medical Qigong is done remotely through various Qi Emission techniques. Even when I’m there in person.
Treatments can be given over the phone or Zoom.
Treatment time: 90-120 minutes
Cost: $150 (+$100 with initial intake)
I offer six different packages in two tiers for Medical Qigong treatments. Prices vary, but include discounts in the larger packages. Sessions will be jointly coordinated, but need to be completed within certain windows.
Tier one offers Medical Qigong treatments, prescriptions, and an initial intake interview, if applicable. In addition to the offers in tier one, tier two includes personalized training sessions.
Tier One (Treatments)
Package A – 3 sessions $450 ($550)
Package B – 5 sessions $680 ($770)
Package C – 10 sessions $1,280 ($1,360)
Tier Two (Treatments & Personal Training)
Package D – 6 sessions $1,200 ($1,300)
Package E – 12 sessions $2,160 ($2,250)
Package F – 24 sessions $4,230 ($4,320)
Email for details and scheduling.
Reflexology Treatments
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is a therapeutic treatment focused on specific points and areas of the feet that correspond to other organs or systems in the body.
Through application of pressure and positional adjustments, reflexology promotes balance, reduces stress, relieves pain, and improves overall well-being and qi flow.
How does it work?
The feet are literally our connection the earth. A better energetic connection with earth positively affects many aspects of our lives.
Reflexology promotes circulation and prevents stagnation through the dilation of small vessels, helping to remove sediment and metabolic products. It enhances peripheral circulation, regulations heart and respiration rates, and increases defensive Qi (think immunity) and nutritive Qi within the body.
It augments venous return and sedates inflammation and pain by moving blood, thus promoting tissue repair in the feet and other areas of the body.
How much and how often?
A typical reflexology diagnostic and treatment regimen consists of 8, 30-minute sessions, twice a week with a one-week rest period. An example might be a 30-minute session on Tuesday and another on Friday for four weeks.
Odd numbered treatments are purgative and cleansing. As such, they use much more pressure to break up deeper stagnations. This can sometimes be painful. Even numbered treatments tonify and are generally quite relaxing.
The cost for the treatment regimen is $400.
I also offer periodic, 60-minute maintenance treatments for $90. These are purgative (deeper pressure), as needed, but mostly tonifying,
Qigong Classes
Individual Classes / Private Lessons
Introductory Qigong lessons can be booked in 30- or 60-minute blocks. We will focus on fundamentals (Posture, Breathing, Visualization) and lessons can be tailored to your needs. No experience necessary and appropriate to all ability levels.
Cost: $50 for 30 minutes
Email for more information or to schedule.
Small Groups
Appropriate for groups of two to eight individuals. Scheduled in 30- or 60-minute sessions.
Fundamental Qigong training focused on posture, breathing, and visualization. No experience necessary and open to all abilities.
Cost: $35 per person (2-4 people for 30 min)
$30 per person (5-8 people for 30 min)
Email for more information or to schedule.
Large Group / Organizations
I am happy to come to your organization and speak about and teach Qigong. As this has potential to impact many people’s schedules, please email to begin a conversation so we can come together to meet your teams’ needs.
Taichi Classes
What Family / Form are you teaching?
I am currently teaching the Yang Family simplified 24-movement form.
Now, having said that, I want to put out some “truth in advertising”:
I am not a Taichi Master.
I am a Qigong Master.
I do know the Yang 24 form, but I know a whole lot more about Qigong: the structure, posture, breathing, visualization, and the movement of energy within the body that forms the foundation on which the form is built.
I teach these fundamentals so you can take them and incorporate them into your daily life. You just also get a little martial art sprinkled on top.
Are you teaching anywhere near me?
Perhaps! I am currently teaching an introductory Taichi class at Moonbird Yoga in O’Fallon, Illinois.
The classes are held every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. All scheduling and costs is handled through Moonbird. (external link)
What if I just want to take classes from you?
If you want individual Tiachi lessons, read the “What Family / Form” section above. If you still like what you see, reach out to me via email.
We can discuss frequency and costs individually.
Meditation Instruction
Basic Instruction
Meditation is not something you do, it’s something you become. That said, getting started can prove difficult if the starting point isn’t “pointed out.”
It comes in many forms, from quiescent, sitting sessions to more active, standing and moving meditations.
If you want to learn the principles and fundamentals of meditation, or just want a focused, guided meditation session, reach out.
Email to start a conversation!
Group Instruction
I am happy to discuss, teach, or guide a meditation session for your group or organization. Email for topics / focus areas, pricing, and scheduling.
Syzygy (n)
syz·y·gy | \ ‘si-z?-je
The nearly straight-line configuration of three or more celestial bodies (such as the sun, moon, and earth during a solar or lunar eclipse)
From Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Syzygy is the astronomical term for alignment. When parts of your vehicle are out of alignment, you get random knocking noises, poor responsiveness, sluggish operation, and run the risk of breaking down. The same can be said about us (hopefully without the noises) when our thoughts and energy are not aligned with our bodies, emotions, or spiritual beliefs.
According to traditional Chinese medicine and Daoist thought, every living being contains and is, in fact, made up of a vital energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”). Our Qi is dynamic. It moves and transforms within us in response to our internal and external environment. When our Qi is aligned and in harmony with our values we experience health, wellbeing, and sustainability. Disharmony, on the other hand, leads to illness, disease, suffering, and collapse.
At Syzygy Energetics, we believe your own body is your greatest healer. We work with you to regulate your Qi, removing energetic and emotional stagnations that are the root causes of illness and disease. We do this in a compassionate, private, and supporting manner, free from judgement, so you can restore your own health and continue to realize your greatest potential.
At Syzygy Energetics, we’re committed to helping every person that walks through our doors. We treat each person with respect, care, and dignity.
Our specialists are here to help facilitate your journey through your healing efforts. We’ve spent years practicing traditional Chinese medicine and have honed our craft so we can provide our clients with expert help. You don’t need any previous experience with qigong or any of our other services to accomplish your goals at Syzygy Energetics. One of our main motivations for starting Syzygy Energetics is that most people aren’t familiar with qigong. They haven’t had the opportunity to experience for themselves the positive impact qigong and other modes of traditional Chinese medicine can have on their lives.
Qigong is a relatively new practice in Western culture. It’s deeply rooted in Chinese traditions and has been effectively used in China for healing diseases, preventing illnesses, spiritual cultivation, and martial arts for many years. We’re firm believers in the healing powers of traditional Chinese medicine as we have experienced their incredible transformative powers ourselves. We’ve been able to integrate all of our experiences, along with our knowledge of the art itself, to offer our clients a strong healing opportunity. All of our traditional treatments train our clients in the art of mindfulness and the fundamentals of cultivating their Qi. For more information, call us at 618-319-7909 or send an email to [email protected]. We’re happy to welcome individuals in the St. Louis, Swansea, and New Baden areas. Visit our location at: 999 N. 2nd Street St. Louis, MO 63102
