Guide to Acupuncture, pt. 2
Qi: An Introduction
Qi is a natural phenomena that is observable like the wind or water. Traditional Chinese Medicine evolved from the ancient Taoists observation of the world. It is not a religion but rather a philosophy of total connectedness and interdependence. Qi was thought of as energy that affects all aspects of the world that we live in. It is an intelligent, energetic force that directs the functioning of matter. The concept of qi roughly relates to the body's electromagnetic energy and can be detected using simple machines which measure electron flow. Western medicine has yet to determine why adjusting this energy flow can affect health.
Scientists are working to prove not just the existence of Qi, but its function as the director of the body's functions. A Japanese acupuncturist Manaka, dedicated his life toward empirically observing the qi. He named it the X system in the body, and theorized that it was the organizing force in the formation and function of the other body systems. He thought that the X system developed first and helped organize all other body systems. (nervous, circulatory, digestive etc.) This would help explain why there are overlaps between the Oriental medical concept of the lungs for instance, with that of the digestion, skin, and nervous systems. It's a broad concept which seems to encompass relationships between these systems.
Find out more about acupuncture and oriental medicine in our
Guide to Acupuncture:
- History of Acupuncture
- Qi: An Introduction
- Oriental Medicine: An Answer to Imbalances
- Chinese and Western Medicine: a Discussion of Yin and Yang
- U.S. National Institute of Health Consensus Statement on Acupuncture
- Statement from the World Health Organization
We also have an overview of our acupuncture services, and more about our individual practitioners: Derek Kirkham, Lindsey Lawson, and Karen Hayes.
