What is Qigong?
Qigong [pronounced chi gong] is an ancient branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used for thousands of years to help people maintain and improve their health.
The word Qi refers to your ‘life energy’ and the word Gong means ‘to work with’. Hence, qigong means to work with your life energy and in QST, we do this through a form of massage.
QST was developed by a Western-trained doctor, Dr Louisa Silva, who also studied and trained in Chinese medicine. The knowledge, understanding and research of both Western and Chinese medicine are combined in QST.
What is Qigong Sensory Therapy?
Qigong Sensory Therapy (QST), is a touch-based program that parents provide at home. It is a 15-minute protocol consisting of a set of 12 movements that improves blood circulation to the skin and stimulates the recovery and growth of sensory nerves (C-Tactile fibres).
The massage involves using a gentle patting or pressing technique, which can be easily done over clothing.
Typically, this is a combined therapy in which therapists work together with parents to give the massage. Hands-on support and coaching is provided. Parents learn to adapt and customise the protocol specifically for their child. QST can be taught and coached via telehealth.
As parents/caregivers, you are trained in the protocol to give the massage every day and gradually learn how to attune it to your child’s responses. At first, it may be a little difficult to do the massage because children can sometimes be resistant to touch; however, with our support, you can learn to modify the technique so your child feels comfortable and can accept and enjoy the massage. The new skills you learn in training sessions can enhance your ability to read the subtle body and behavioural cues of your child, helping them to feel understood at a deeper level.
This massage can be done anytime during the day that fits in with your family’s routine. Many families though, choose to do it as part of the bedtime routine as it helps to calm their child and improves settling for sleep and staying asleep for longer.
As QST trained and certified therapists, we also provide the massage and continue to support parents on a regular basis.
QST supports the developing nervous system through attuned touch. Long-term research has shown that benefits in functional skills can be made for up to 2 years, therefore we suggest that you do the massage for a minimum of 6 months to a year to be able to assess the changes.
QST provides care that is neurodiversity-affirming, accessible, equitable and inclusive.
Therapy Options for QST
Before introducing QST, therapists will assess to see if it is an appropriate therapy for your child. Assessment will include discussing the child’s history and the completion of a developmental, sensory and parental checklist. The checklists are also used to monitor and review progress after 6 months.
Individual sessions
This is a joint parent/ therapist intervention. After an initial session to learn how to do QST, parents provide the massage daily. The therapist also provides the massage regularly, with ongoing coaching to attune the massage to suit the specific needs of your child.
The number of therapy sessions is dependent on the clinical presentation and the challenges your child has.
Telehealth / Online sessions
For families without access to a local therapist, training and coaching sessions are provided online
Group Training
If there is a group of parents who would like to do the training together this is also an option. Please contact a therapist to discuss this option.
Who is QST for?
Children with Autism
Children with Sensory Processing Challenges
Children with Down Syndrome
