Definition of the week: Qi

qi   noun "

CHē" or "chee"

What is Qi?

QI is the energy whose properties are the basis and fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  Qi flows through the body, it is all around us, and is believed to be two portions. Energy and changes in environment, and also physiological components of anatomy.

"Qi was initially termed as the best definition for the understanding of the natural phenomena." [1] Over 3,000 years ago, the alternative therapy described as acupuncture developed in China.  Acupuncture therapy is used to to stabilize and stimulate the body's Qi and immune systems to result in a permanent healing.  Qi is the vital energy or power that animated and supports the functions of the body. "In TCM, Qi has more meanings, Qi can move in the meridians, and can also combine with blood to support the energy to the internal organs." [2]

Ancient theory is that Qi flows through specific pathways, calls meridians, and provides nourishment for the entire body. The acupuncture meridian system is an interface of energetic exchange  between our physical body and the energy fields which surround us.

Acupuncture points have unique electrical characteristics which distinguish them from surrounding skin, and also mediated by a primary, subtle energetic system that influences the networks of physical nerves.  Stimulation of acupuncture points produce changes in the nervous system (ie. endorphin release and relieve pain) because the meridians indirectly influence nerve pathway in the body.  This treatment replaces pain and fatigue with revitalizing energy and relief of stress and tension.  As the Qi is 're-engerized' by the needles, the movement throughout the body is significant in the corresponding body systems (ie. liver, kidney, heart, lung. etc.) to produce outstanding results.

Because Qi is an energy, it may be affected by numerous factors.  Everything must be in balance for optimal performance and wellness.  Factors such as environmental, physiological and psychological can impede on one's energy and one's self balance.  When disease occurs, it is a signal that we are constricting the natural flow of life energy throughout our multidimensional bodies.  Once we have learned the real reasons for feeling ill, we must begin to make changes that will result in a healing on many simultaneous levels.

Traditional Chinese Medicine theories and treatments go far beyond treating symptoms and signs, treating the body as a whole and unique organism.  Acupuncture can greatly enhance our health and achieve better levels of wellness and integration and balance of the interlocking elements of the body, mind, and spirit.

References:

ACU HEALING [1]

YING YAN HOUSE [2]

Traditional Chinese Medicine VS. Western Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine VS. Western Medicine

As you may be aware, our acupuncturist, Richard, practices Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM). He has spent time learning and practicing in Asian and Chinese countries.  Not only does this aid in his ability to practice TCM, but it gives him an in depth approach to helping you overcome your health and wellness obstacles. He will use ancient methods to identify and treat the root cause or imbalance. A patient does not have to feel ill in order to benefit from treatment. Richard works to detect and correct existing imbalances in the body to help find relief and to reduce symptoms, for a healthier and more balanced self. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) sees the body as an integrated whole. All parts of the body and organ systems are linked in obvious or subtle ways. Disease may originate locally or be caused by an imbalance in the whole system. In TCM a patient’s complaint is considered only as one of the symptoms of the underling imbalance. When this imbalance is resolved the patient should expect significant improvement or complete disappearance of the original complaint. The principal aim of TCM is to restore equilibrium between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual; between yin and yang.  One does not have to feel ill in order to benefit from TCM. In our clinic the Practitioner, by using TCM principles, works to detect and to correct the existing imbalance in the body long before it becomes a serious problem.  "Western [allopathic] medicine focuses on removing the symptoms using direct methods, so-called “fix the head when the head hurts; fix the foot when the foot aches.” Yet Chinese medicine emphasizes a dialectical analysis of the human body as a whole, where it is viewed as a collection of interconnected and interrelated systems." Traditional Chinese Medicine Overview Traditional Chinese Medicine, also known as TCM, includes a range of traditional medicine practices originating in China. Although well accepted in the mainstream of medical care throughout East Asia, it is considered an alternative medical system in much of the Western world. TCM practices include such treatments as Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and both Tui Na and Shiatsu massage. Qigong and Taijiquan are also closely associated with TCM. TCM is more than 4,000 years old and is rooted in meticulous observation of nature, the cosmos, and the human body. Major TCM theories include those of Yin-yang, the Five Phases, the human body Meridian/Channel system, Zang Fu organ theory, six confirmations, four layers, etc. Theory The foundation principles of Chinese Medicine are not uniform, and are based on several schools of thought. TCM have been influenced by Taoism, Buddhism, and Neo-Confucianism. Since 1200 BC, Chinese academics of various schools have focused on the observable natural laws of the universe and their implications for the practical characterization of human body and mind place in the universe. In the I Ching and other Chinese literary and philosophical classics, Chinese writers described general principles and their applications to health and healing. Western Medicine versus Chinese Medicine There are some principle differences between Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine Philosophies. For example, Western man with his/her two thousand years of intellectual tradition will try to find straightforward, visible, scientifically provable relationships between cause and effect. TCM philosophy, on the other hand, does not see such a straight forward relationship between cause and effect. Cause can easily become an effect, and effect can become the cause. TCM look at the body holistically. State of general health determines how severe and/or how chronic an original complaint is. So the treatment always addresses both: the whole body and the specific complaint. If the treatment addresses the complaint only it would be considerably less effective. Western Medicine is better then Chinese Medicine in addressing life threatening and very acute health problems such as stroke, heart attack, broken limb, etc. The main strength of Chinese Medicine lies in addressing of non-life threatening and chronic problems. It happens that most of the health complaint people have are exactly of this nature (non-life threatening and chronic). Western and Chinese Medicines do not conflict, or contradict, or compromise each other. They look at the body from very different frameworks. When two approaches are combined they have complimentary, synergetic effect and therefore quicker and better results. TCM Terminology Unlike the Western anatomical model which divides the physical body into parts, the Chinese model is more concerned with function. Thus, the TCM spleen is not a specific piece of flesh, but an aspect of function related to transformation and transportation within the body, and of the mental functions of thinking and studying. Terms Chinese Medicine practitioner would use might sound strange to the “western” ear (i.e. Yin, Yang, Essence, Qi, Blood, Wind, Dampness, Heart organ-system, Lung organ-system, etc.) These do not represent specific organs or substances but rather functions of different organs and pathologies of these functions. TCM has specific acupuncture points and specific herbal formulas which address a dysfunction determined by TCM diagnostic procedure and expressed in Chinese Medical terminology . "  Thank you to the websites and clinics that have composed information onto the web to help patient's learn about their health. The Scollard Street TCM & Acupuncture Clinic The Epoch Times Carolyn Dew- Mandala Centre for Health and Wellness