Hi JM!
I have now received my QiQong instructions and I know more of what you mean by sword fingers and how to apply the technique.
I have been doing energy work on our old Beagle/Lab (he's 11 people years) and it has been helping so I will try and tell you what it is I am doing.
I "manipulate" the energy field around his body, especially his right hip as that is the severely arthritic area. Sometimes he will be shaking so hard from pain that it takes a while for him to settle down, but once I go and sit with him on the floor, cuddle with him at his own level, and begin to hold my hands over him and "work up the energy field" then he slowly begins to go limp, and lie down. It is fun to watch his eyes get droopy! And after some minutes the shaking subsides, and stops, and he gives me the impression that he is in La-La Land. Just nice and drowzy - not shaking any more. Breathing steadies. And later, after he sleeps it off for a while, he rises without whining and yelping.
I may have given the impression that it is more dramatic than what it is (I sit with him on average about 30 minutes) - but there really is such an improvement that I decided to do this for him whenever he is in pain. Which is about every other day, as during his "good" days he goes and runs around like a puppy. (then he pays for his exuberence for 1 to 2 days!)
Now that I have watched the QiQong video, and read the booklet, I will try the sword fingers technique as well. What I will do, probably tonight - as today is one of Snoopy's good days!, is do sword fingers first while in my usual meditative state, all over him, then go to the hands-on massaging of his energy field. This involves pushing and pulling the resistance/field, stroking it (stroking his body about 2" - 8" above his physical body) and rubbing circles in this field as well. Just going wherever I am led.
My theory at present is that the sword fingers will break up blockages, and the stroking of the very physical energy body will be comforting. And when the dog is calm, not in pain, comforted, loved, he is in a much better place, a healed place, than if I just give him his arthritis medicine twice a day and call it good. I am thinking that this calming effect will be good for your dog's itchy condition as well. And with the added techiniques of QiQong the underlying condition should clear up as well.
I hope this helps. Please write back with what you accomplish with your pooch. The "healing" of ailments, both canine and human, is of great interest to me.
If you have any questions I'll give you what feedback I can.
Ann
