Through the simple movements and balanced breathing of the Chinese medicine technique called qi gong, Karen Fann has improved her health and the effects of the liver disease hepatitis C.

Before she was diagnosed with the disease that country music singer Naomi Judd also suffered from, Fann knew something wasn't right. She had started gaining weight, was having panic attacks and often felt tired.

"I didn't know why my metabolism had screeched to a halt," she said.

When she found out she had the liver disease, she started researching ways to control it.

Fann and her husband met with a doctor who suggested she take the drug Interferon. She knew that Judd had success with the drug, but Fann didn't like the side effects. So she decided to take a more natural approach to dealing with her problems.

While on the Internet, she came across an article on acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Fann was interested in what she read and started searching for a doctor in the area. That's when she found the Healing Arts Medical Group in Memphis. Fann met with Dr. Judi Harrick, who has a doctorate degree in oriental medicine and who started her on herbs such as milk thistle and dandelion root, to help the liver.

She also gave Fann regular acupuncture treatments, had her stop her intake of dairy products and recommended the qi gong class.

Qi gong combines concentration with easy movements and controlled breathing. It is believed that regular practice can reduce stress, pain and the effects of sickness on the body. An article on the Web site http://www.acupuncture.com said the exercises are meant to improve health and longevity and "increase a sense of harmony within oneself and in the world."

After participating in qi gong, Fann started seeing improvements in her health. Even her regular doctor was surprised.

"My doctor is still scratching his head over this one," she said. "It just relaxes you. It gives you good energy and boosts your immune system."

Today, Fann continues to have acupuncture treatments about every eight weeks. Part of her improved health regime includes losing 26 pounds through Weight Watchers by walking and changing her eating habits. She also believes a good attitude helped her heal.

"If you're not positive about what you're doing to promote your own healing, it's not going to work," she said. "I feel better than ever now."

For more information, call the Healing Arts Medical Group at 763- 0909.

KAREN FANN

-- Age: 47

-- Occupation: Collections representative for transportation company

-- Home: Hickory Hill

-- Family: Married, three children

-- Health profile: After being diagnosed with liver disease, Fann used Chinese medicine to improve her health.

Do you have a health or fitness success story? Have you started an exercise program? Changed your eating habits? Lost weight? Become more fit and healthy?

Tell us what you did and how you did it. Write to Success Stories, The Commercial Appeal, Appeal Department, 495 Union Ave., Memphis, Tenn. 38103. Fax 529-2787 or E-mail winburne@gomemphis.com.

Include your name and a daytime phone number.

From healthy.net