QIGONGHEALTH

metabolism and cholesterol levels.  It is also possible that regular practise could lead to weight-loss.

However, anyone who is on medication for diabetes should always continue with their medication; this set of exercises is not a cure, and does not replace any medication.

The set uses both Yuan (source) points and … (well) points; these are very important in the treatment of diabetes, and there are a number of points to press and massage.

There are 9 exercises, 3 for each level of diabetes, but whichever type of diabetes you have, performance of the entire set is important.

To get the benefit, the set should be practised 3 times a day and 5 times a week.

Western Perspective on Diabetes:
Due to lack of insulin
More often in middle age, and more in men than women
Western treatment is effective, but with side-effects

Chinese Perspective on Diabetes:
The main symptoms are excessive thirst, over-eating (excessive hunger), and excessive urination – sometimes accompanied by weight loss and disorders of the urine which can be sweet or fatty.

The disease falls into 3 categories:
Higher, middle, and lower diabetes - referring to various areas of the body.
Higher (Shang Xiao): Great & excessive thirst due to excess heat in the Lungs which damage the body’s organic liquids.  Therefore need to reduce Heat/Fire in the Lungs.
Middle (Zhong Xiao): Excessive hunger due to excess heat in the Stomach causing digestion to be too rapid.  Therefore need to reduce Fire in the Stomach.
Lower (Xia Xiao): The principal symptom is thirst accompanied by abundant urine (sweet or fatty).  This is due to deficiency of Kidney Yin which has lost its function of ‘maintaining’ or stabilizing the urinary system.  This causes the essence gained from food and liquids to be lost - in effect all the nutrients are washed through the body, which is why the urine is sweet or fatty.  Therefore it is necessary to nourish the Yin of the Kidney and reinforce it.