Michael was looking outside the medical box and meet an English black belt osteopath who recommended Qigong to Michael and his son.
"In three to four session we could see James was making progress," Michael says. "To me, this is the best thing since sliced bread."
Now James is back playing golf, cricket and he runs marathons.
"It's all about the chi (energy). We are using the chi and when you start feeling it through your body, you know it."
Very true. Michael recently gave a mini workshop, in the outdoors where he prefers, to gym goers in the Tauranga CBD to introduce Qigong.
It's all about the chi After a session of Qigong, you feel wonderful.
The workshop Michael gave was a light, gentle one. He tailors his sessions to his audience - a session can be gentle, medium or intense.
Qigong is an ancient chinese health care system which involves movement, breathing and meditation to generate energy and health. Qigong has elements of yoga and tai chi and awakening the chi (circulating life force) and zen.
It is a very focused practice. Benefits are abundant - youthfulness, energy, weight loss, improved posture, positivity, better judgement, relaxation, improve immune system, circulation and vitality.
A Qigong session is like a having a physical pick-me-up during the day. The lines of energy in the body come alive and you feel refreshed and de-cluttered mentally.
There is a technique to the movements which can be mastered when Qigong is performed regularly. Its graceful movements, when perfected, seem to be part of its peaceful mind qualities.
Michael is starting up Qigong classes at Whisp Alternative Health Club at Shop 24 Piccadilly Arcade on Devonport Rd on Monday afternoons at 1pm (bookings 0204494477). He will also take classes at Health Quarters, 67 Willow St on Saturdays at 9.30am. For more information phone 021735798.