Why does energy work make me feel so sick?
In late 2020, during the early days of the pandemic, I discovered medical Qi Gong. This led me to Ling Gui International Qi Gong and Master Liu He. A woman qi gong master is not too very common.
I was drawn to her. She seemed strong and kind.
I was seeing a skilled bodyworker, working on my posture, trying new eating habits, and experimenting with herbs. It hadn’t quite caught up with me yet… but adding the Qi Gong to everything else pushed things into overdrive.
I signed up for her online zoom classes. They usually last between 4 to 6 weeks, meeting once a week for about four hours. The routines are beautiful. The movements are unique and poetic, activating energy channels in ways I had never experienced. I loved it so much that I even considered teaching Qi Gong myself.
But I have a habit of overdoing things, and with Qi Gong, it got intense. When I joined a Facebook group for fellow students, I realized most people only practiced outside of class once or twice a week for 20 or 30 minutes. I was doing it every day, sometimes for an hour or more. I also tried other techniques I was recommended through YouTube which only added confusion and strain. It was getting out of control.
By spring 2021, I was completely overwhelmed and ended up bedridden until mid-May. It was the worst I ever got. It’s hard to describe what was taking place in my body, but anything, even walking around to get something out of the refrigerator, was too taxing. I had signed up for so many classes and I couldn’t do them standing up anymore and I had to do Qi Gong lying down. I pushed myself too hard.
After that crash, I slowed down but still didn’t fully understand how powerful and demanding Qi Gong could be even in smaller doses. I thought I was simply doing something gentle and healing, but I was pushing myself out of desperation for relief.
Recently (May 2025), a newsletter from Ling Gui International advertised a series called Celestial Pillar, which had me very excited. It was the same series that I learned building up to the 2021 healing crisis when things got really bad. My initial reaction of excitement was very genuine, but I was remembering how out of balance and unaware I was. It’s such a fantastic routine to learn though. So, without hesitation, I signed up for it.
I went into my first class knowing I might feel good after but could crash later. That is my rhythm, it’s kind of like emotional whiplash. But I promised that I wouldn’t do any more Qi Gong for the rest of the week, because… I thought that was Pacing.
I wished I had listened to my body and stopped when I got tired. It was a sign that I needed to stop.
The next morning, I woke up with heart palpitations, a headache, and deep sadness. I tried to take care of myself with food and water, but the day felt heavy and hopeless. Then, the extreme tightness on the left side of my upper body. I knew the Qi Gong was triggering this, and it was incredibly frustrating. It didn’t feel fair. I love Qi Gong, and I love Master Liu He. She is truly an inspiration and it hurts like hell that I seem to struggle and get knocked on my ass so hard with something that is so beautifully intelligent and gentle.
In 2022 I learned from an acupuncturist that my life force energy, my Qi, was extremely stagnant, likely from years spent in a chronic freeze state. She looked at my tongue and repeatedly said “no life force.” I listened to her and believed her but it did take me some time to fully understand. It now makes complete sense. This stagnation explained why my body reacted so strongly to Qi Gong, a practice meant to move energy.
Like everything I’ve faced over the years, I’m learning and gaining insights even when things are not going too great. While depression and hopelessness remain ongoing challenges, I’m starting to understand their roots. Going forward, I know to be even more careful. Pacing is key.
#nervoussystemhealing #traumarecovery #chronicillnessawareness #chronicfatigue #nervoussystemregulation
Energy work practices like Qi Gong are powerful methods aimed at balancing and stimulating the body's vital energy, known as Qi. However, for individuals with underlying conditions such as chronic fatigue, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation, these practices can sometimes provoke intense physical and emotional reactions instead of immediate relief. Qi Gong involves activating and moving energy channels, which can unearth blocked or stagnant energy accumulated over time, particularly in people who have experienced chronic stress, trauma, or illness. This stagnation can manifest as symptoms such as fatigue, heart palpitations, headaches, and deep emotional states like sadness or despair—all indicating the body’s nervous system and energy pathways are overwhelmed. Nervous system dysregulation refers to a state where the body's autonomic nervous system fails to maintain balanced responses to stress and energy fluctuations. When energy work triggers sudden shifts in energetic flow without adequate pacing and awareness, it may cause a 'healing crisis' or physical 'crash.' This is a temporary but intense period where symptoms worsen as the body adjusts. To safely engage in Qi Gong or similar energy practices, pacing is crucial. Pacing means listening closely to your body’s signals and limiting practice intensity and frequency, especially if you notice signs of exhaustion or emotional overwhelm after sessions. Gradually building practice duration and integrating rest helps prevent triggering adverse reactions. Additionally, working with skilled practitioners aware of chronic illness and nervous system challenges can provide individualized guidance and adjustments. Supportive therapies such as acupuncture can help assess and treat energy stagnation. Identifying and addressing emotional trauma and freeze responses that contribute to Qi stagnation is also essential. Awareness of the delicate balance between energy movement and nervous system capacity is fundamental. Energy work is not inherently gentle for everyone and requires respect for individual limits. When done mindfully, it can be profoundly healing, supporting nervous system regulation, trauma recovery, and chronic illness management.
