Chinese woodcut: Qigong exercise to treat boils

Xiuzhen miyao, a gymnastic (daoyin/qigong) text of unknown origin, was rediscovered and published with a preface by Wang Zai in 1513 (8th year of the Zhengde reign period of the Ming dynasty). It records 49 exercises. This illustration depicts a technique designated as zhuan zhi jiu jie (specific cure for chronic boils). It is practised as follows: Sitting upright, one massages the sides of the body and the affected area with both hands, while using one's gong power to circulate Qi for 32 breaths.

PICTURE TITLE: Specific cure for chronic boils