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History of Qigong – There are hundreds of types of Qigong: some only need meditation and others require body movement to music.
They are popular among Chinese who wish to improve their health and cure their diseases. It is hard to say if anyone has restored his health by performing Qigong; while it is also hard to say if Qigong is completely ineffective if accompanied by orthodox treatment. Deep breathing, self-controlled meditation, and little movement, which are usually involved in performing Qigong, are not harmful.
The cult of Qigong, however, is not based on its effectiveness in health care. The “spirit balance” it gives and the quasi-religious mood involved in performing Qigong partly accounts for its popularity. Old people may perform it because they have no better ways to spend their time. Around 1985, Qigong began to closely connect with another cult—the cult of “special ability”—and each reinforces the popularity of the other.
The phenomenon of SA was first reported in 1978 when the political group headed by Mao’s widow lost its power, and Deng Xiaoping was reinstated and began to advocate the movement to “love, learn and utilize science” in China.
This science movement quickly met the needs that the majority of Chinese, including some scholars, had. They had forgotten what the rigorous demarcation line of empirical science was. (From Paranormal in China written by Wu Xianghong)
Related articles: Rise and fall of the QiGong frenzy in China: when superstition and science collide
During the winter of 1989, Ditan Park in Beijing, was a favorite place to practice Qigong. At that time other mystical beliefs were combined with the practice of Qigong 
In the ’80s and early ’90s Qigong presentations took place in front of a delirious audience 
April 2002, in a street in Wanzhou in Chongqing a “doctor” (unlicensed) practice cupping on an old lady.
Patients go to improvised doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine with high expectations
Gua Sha, literally “to scrape away fever” in Chinese is an ancient medical treatment. Gua Sha involves repeated pressured strokes over lubricated skin with a smooth edge.
Commonly a ceramic Chinese soup spoon was used, or a well-worn coin, even honed animal bones, water buffalo horn, or jade. A simple metal cap with a rounded edge is commonly used. (Wikipedia) Many people believe that scraping can help balance blood, raise the fatigue and increase the immune function of the body
Some people in fact think that the ants are rich in protein which helps the body against aging 
August 8, 2004, about 30 people during a convention in a hotel in Guangzhou drink urine 
June 11, 2006, in Hangzhou, was opened the first restaurant to revive the sexual appetite. Here’s Lubian, a tonic for the male audience 
September 6, 2005, health tea shop 
April 24, 2010, Wuhan, a doctor treats a patient with Apitherapy 
January 11, 2009, a group of people devoted to “Happiness Therapy”.
Participants think that even a fake smile can help
September 23, 2009, foot bath of vinegar in Shanxi 
May 2, 2010, Anshan, Liaoning. Mud baths at a spa (imported from the West) 
August 8, 2010, Xuchang, Henan Province. A performance of Qigong in public 
July 24, 2005. 20 Germans have prepared a 7-day trip to Wudang Mountain to learn the use of the 12 Wudang Kam.
Chinese medicine is rapidly spreading around the world
Lin Guangchang is a diet doctor in Liaoning Traditional Chinese Medicine, challenged in China for his ideas.
He discouraged the use of milk, eggs, meat, and other products
Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association had 30,000 followers, including business tycoon Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese e-commerce firm alibaba.com, and pop singer Faye Wong. The aim is to restore kidney functions through massage. Li Yi, the founder of the Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association had been the focus of a police probe over an allegation of raping a college student. Li is the latest “grand master” exposed as a fraud 
Abbot Lee Shao-Long Li of Jinyun Mountain Taoist Association during a lecturing.
This year its supposed magical properties have been questioned and was accused of fraud
Zhang Wuben, a once-popular Chinese diet therapist, was found by officials in May to have faked his nutritionist qualifications 
Making money writing health books it’s easy in China, especially if you’re a celebrity …
CHINA-UNDERGROUND. Matteo Damiani is an Italian sinologist, photographer, author and motion designer. Matteo lived and worked for ten years in China. Founder of CinaOggi.it and China-underground.com.
