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Acupuncture and the concept of Qi
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Qi
or Chi (pronounced chee) is a "concept" that is
at the very heart of Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM) and consequently Acupuncture.
It is a mystical and somewhat philosophical idea that has
no direct equivalent in western medicine. It has variously
been thought of as "life force", "energy",
or "vital energy" but none of these fully realise
the full concept of Qi.
TCM embraces the idea that everything in the universe is
composed of Qi yet it cannot be conceived of as mere energy
or as a fundemental particle or substance. |
The
Chinese have a somewhat mystical saying that states "When
Qi gathers, so the physical body is formed; when Qi disperses,
the body dies".
We
all begin with Original Qi which is inherited from
our parents when we are conceived.
When we are born Original Qi is enlarged by Post Natal or
After Heaven Qi being basically, food and air, drawn from
the world we live in.
Qi from the food we eat is associated with the spleen (Food
Qi) and Qi from the air we breathe is associated with the lungs
(Air Qi). These two forms of Qi are said to mix together to
form Gathering Qi this is in turn catalysed by the action of
Original Qi to form Normal Qi.
The resulting Normal Qi is what circulates through the organs
and channels
(meridians) of the body.
The Qi flowing through the organs of the body is often known
as Nutritive Qi and is responsible for the nourishment of the
organs and tissue of the body. Qi flowing through the meridians
is referred to as Defensive Qi which circulates on the outside
of the body protecting it from any external factors (cold, heat,
damp etc.) which may give rise to illness and disharmony.
Qi
has five main health giving functions within the body: -
1.It
is the source of all body movement and activity; as every
movement of the body, voluntary or involuntary, is an indication
of the flow of Qi. The level of Qi is always descending or
ascending as it leaves or enters the body. Health and wellbeing
are dependent on this activity.
2.
The normal body temperature is maintained by the function
of the warming action of Qi,
3.
Qi protects the body from invasion by environmental external
factors such as Heat, Cold, Damp etc.
4.
Qi has a vital role in changing air and food into other necessary
substances - Qi itself, Blood and Body Fluids.
5.
The maintenance of a healthy and strong Qi is hugely important
in holding the various organs, vessels and tissues of the
body in a correct functioning order.
Ill
health and poor wellbeing within the body can be affected by
Qi disharmony and this generally manifests itself in four different
ways.
1.
A deficiency of Qi will result in the functions being reduced,
an example would be Qi not being able to carry out its warming
function correctly.
2.
If the Qi level is badly deficient (Sinking Qi) it
will fail in its holding capacity, this can be seen in organ
prolapse.
3.
If the flow of Qi is in any way restricted through sluggish
flow or blockages the body can be adversely affected around
these stagnations in the meridian. A further affect can be
suffered by the internal organs.
4.
Qi can sometimes flow in the wrong direction (Rebellious
Qi). An obvious example would be Stomach Qi
which is considerd to flow downwards, carrying food to the
intestines, any "rebellion" reverses the flow of
Qi causing nausea, hiccups and often vomitting.
To
maintain good health it is
important Qi flows through the body uninterrupted by means of,
what acupuncturists refer to as, meridians
(channels). If an imbalance occurs or the flow of Qi
becomes blocked then illness will occur; these malfunctions
are what the acupuncturist, with the use of needles, can restore
to a harmonising balance.
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