2. Before the application of qigong acupressure therapy, the finger nails of physicians should be cut short to avoid any injury to the patients’ skin. The pressure applied by the finger and the amount of qi delivered to the acupoints should be determined and gradually increased according to the duration of disease and the condition of patients. For example, acupressure manipulation must be very gentle in patients with chronic diseases, in starvation or after a heavy meal; qigong acupressure is prohibited in pregnant women and should be postponed in drunken or overfatiqued patients; and acupressure must be very gentle to avoid bone fracture, in patients with bone deformity.

3. After qigong acupressure therapy, most patients experience a relief of symptoms, a comfortable and relaxed feeling, sound sleep, improved appetite and increased body weight. However, some patients may show signs of a worsening condition. In general, it is only a temporary response to the treatment and may disappear after the treatment is continued for 2-3 more days. An explanation is necessary to relieve the patients’ worry about the temporary setback.

4. After qigong acupressure therapy treatments, patients may feel hot, sore, numb and distending sensations around the acupoints with some local redness, heat, sweating and twitches. These are normal response to the treatment and need not cause concern: they will soon spontaneously disappear. In some patients acupressure may produce ecchymoses, which will also spontaneously subside after one week. If patients develop severe side effects, such as dizziness, nausea, pale complexion or syncope, nail-pinching at the nasal septum or base of finger nails or toes may help relieve these reactions.

5. Treatment of complications: (1) Temporary arrest of respiration caused by extraordinary strong stimulation of acupressure applied over the back may be relieved by patting with concentrated qi over the neck, shoulder and back, by finger-pressing with concentrated qi at Yaoyan (EX-B 7) or by grasping abdominal oblique muscles. (2) Temporary weakness or paralysis of the arm caused by extraordinary strong stimulation applied over the scapular region may be relieved by patting with concentrated qi over the shoulder, elbow or wrist. (3) Temporary weakness or paralysis of the leg caused by extraordinary strong stimulation over the lateral side of buttocks may be relieved by patting with concentrated qi over the lower back, buttocks and popliteal fossa.