Can Qi Gong Support Thyroid Health? My Personal Experience Practicing Qi Gong Daily
When I was a Freshman in high school I had a golf ball–sized tumor removed from my thyroid. During the surgery, doctors had to remove half of my thyroid gland.
Since then, I’ve taken synthetic thyroid hormone to help my body maintain normal levels. Because I only have half of my thyroid, my doctors have gradually had to increase the dosage over the years as my body struggled to keep up with hormone production on its own.
Last Fall, during my annual physical, my doctor suggested that it might be time to increase my medication again.
But before making that change, I asked if I could try something first. I asked for three months.
A Personal Experiment
During those three months, I committed to practicing 20 minutes of Qi Gong every day, focusing specifically on movements that support the throat and thyroid area.
Qi Gong is a gentle practice that combines movement, breath, and focused awareness to help regulate the body’s energy and improve circulation. Many exercises open the chest, stimulate the neck and throat area, and calm the nervous system—supporting the body’s natural ability to function more efficiently.
While I couldn’t control the outcome, I wanted to give my body the opportunity to respond to consistent, supportive movement before increasing medication.
So for three months, I practiced every day. Just twenty minutes.
The Results
After those three months, I went back for follow‑up bloodwork.
When the results came in, I was honestly surprised and encouraged. As shown in the chart below, my TSH levels improved after three months of consistent Qi Gong practice without changing my medication.
Does this mean Qi Gong cured my thyroid condition? No. Modern medicine has played an incredibly important role in my health journey, and I’m grateful for the doctors, surgery, and medication that support my body.
But this experience reminded me that our daily habits matter. Gentle practices that reduce stress, improve circulation, and bring awareness to the body can sometimes support our health in ways we don’t fully expect.
What Is Qi Gong?
Qi Gong is a centuries‑old practice that originated in China and is considered one of the foundational healing arts within Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The practice combines gentle movement, controlled breathing, and focused awareness to help regulate the body’s energy, often referred to as Qi.
Unlike high‑intensity exercise, Qi Gong movements are slow and flowing, allowing the body to relax while improving circulation and mobility. Many practitioners use Qi Gong to support overall wellness, reduce stress, and restore balance within the body.
Because the movements are gentle and adaptable, Qi Gong can be practiced by people of almost any age or fitness level.
Can Qi Gong Help Support Thyroid Health?
While Qi Gong is not a medical treatment for thyroid disease, many practitioners believe the practice can support overall thyroid health in several ways.
Certain Qi Gong movements focus on opening the neck, throat, and chest area, which may help improve circulation and relaxation in the region where the thyroid gland is located.
Qi Gong may also support thyroid health indirectly by reducing stress, improving circulation, encouraging mindful breathing, and helping the body maintain better overall balance.
Qi Gong Movements That May Support the Thyroid
In my daily practice, I focused on a handful of Qi Gong movements that gently stimulate the throat area, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system.
Some of the movements I incorporated include:
Spinal Cord Breathing
This movement creates a gentle wave through the spine, helping to stimulate the nervous system while encouraging energy to flow up through the neck and into the throat area.Open the Throat
A beautiful, expansive movement that releases tension in the neck and chest while creating space and openness around the thyroid region.Cloudy Hands
This flowing, meditative movement promotes overall circulation and coordination while helping the body relax and settle into a calm, balanced state.The Fountain
This upward, lifting motion encourages energy to rise through the body, supporting a sense of vitality and flow, especially through the centerline of the body.Butterfly Hands
A gentle, rhythmic movement that opens the chest and heart space, indirectly supporting the throat area while calming the breath and nervous system.
Practiced together, these movements created a simple, consistent routine that felt both grounding and restorative.
Why Consistency Matters
One of the most important lessons from my experience was that consistency matters more than intensity.
I didn’t practice for hours each day. I simply committed to twenty minutes daily.
Those small, consistent moments allowed my body to relax, reset, and respond over time. Qi Gong teaches us that the body often responds best to gentle, regular care rather than extreme effort.
An Invitation to Try Qi Gong
If you’ve ever been curious about Qi Gong, I encourage you to give it a try.
You don’t need to be flexible. You don’t need prior experience. And you don’t need to be in perfect health. Qi Gong meets you exactly where you are.
Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, support your overall wellness, or simply reconnect with your body, it can be a beautiful practice to explore.
Take a look at my You Tube channel to try some moves for yourself!
Experience Qi Gong—Wherever You Are
If you’d like to experience Qi Gong for yourself, I invite you to join me for a class here on Amelia Island.
We gather outdoors on the beach in front of Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, where the rhythm of the waves and the fresh ocean air create a naturally calming environment for practice.
Beach Classes:
Tuesdays at 7:30 AM
Saturdays at 9:00 AM
Location:
Elizabeth Pointe Lodge Beachfront
98 S Fletcher Ave.
Fernandina Beach, FL
For those who prefer an indoor setting, I also teach a weekly class at Community Yoga + Wellness in downtown Fernandina Beach.
Indoor Class:
Tuesdays at 5:45 PM
Location:
Community Yoga + Wellness
810 S 8th St
Fernandina Beach, FL
If you’re not local, you can still practice with me from wherever you are.
I share Qi Gong movements and guided practices on my YouTube channel, so you can follow along at your own pace from home. It’s a wonderful way to begin building a daily practice, even if you’re miles from the ocean.
You can also sign up for my newsletter, where I share simple wellness tips, Qi Gong insights, and upcoming classes—designed to help you feel more balanced, energized, and connected in your everyday life.
Wherever you are, Qi Gong can meet you there.
Come breathe, move, and restore—by the sea or right where you are.