The concept of Qi is a strange one to the Western mind and is usually misinterpreted as a thing when actually it is an idea. Qi should be more properly thought of as the life-supporting properties associated with something. Let me explain. Even in TCM there are different kinds of Qi, each associated with some function or process in the body. For example, there is Zhong Qi, which is the life-giving properties derived from the air we breathe. Then there is Gu Qi, which is the life-giving properties derived from the food and drink we consume. There is also Wei Qi which is thought of as defensive energy that protects us from catching a cold or flu (i.e. our immune system). Then there is the Qi in the channels and the Qi in the Organs themselves. Etc., etc. So, you see, Qi should be thought of as an idea and not a thing as many believe. What it represents depends on what kind of qi you’re talking about. The Qi in the channels even can be thought of as representing at least two things. First is the quality of flow in the channel which affects the nutrition of the cells and the ability of the cells to get rid of the waste products of metabolism, and then there is the quality of the extra-cellular fluid itself. And the movement of fluid causes a movement of charge too, which produces a magnetic field which can be thought of as another kind of qi.So Qi isn’t just one thing. Even the Qi of the individual organs can relate too more than one thing. You have the functions of the organ itself, and the function of the organ to affect the flow of extracellular fluid in the channel. Even the individual functions of the organ can be said to have their own Qi.
Qi can represent different things, from an energy like electricity to a function or process like the production of a substance or the amount of a substance like oxygen in the air we breath relating to the quality of Qi. So you have to be precise in your language. The problem with TCM it’s lack of precision at times. So for example, If I say I am strengthening Lung Qi by needling LU1, I would be more precise in my statement by saying what function I am trying to strengthen, such as “I am down-regulating the allergic response” or “I am strengthening Lung function to improve breathing”. Scientific Acupuncture seeks to be more precise and relate to what I am trying to do in terms Western science understands where possible. The TCM definitions of types of Qi are not precise enough for me.
Now it must be understood that the functions of the organs in TCM aren’t the same as the functions in Western medicine. The biggest difference is Western medicine has the endocrine system whereas the Chinese system folds the function of the endocrine system into the organs themselves. For example, the thyroid function can be influenced by needling points on the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium. Triple Warmer, and Kidney channels. In TCM, they would say, needling KI3 nourishes the water to help put out the fire in the Heart. In Western terms, you are using the controlling function of the Kidneys to control the excess in the thyroid that is expressed in the Heart organ in Chinese medicine. You know you are just using autonomic functions as they exist in the body. That is the genius of Chinese medicine’s understanding of point functions. Which is basically a sophisticated understanding of which point relates to what part of the body or what function in the body. The West, on the other hand, doesn’t understand this hardly at all. Acupuncturists are the only ones that study this. No other type of practitioner can say they do acupuncture unless they have taken this kind of legitimate class. So if you go to a doctor who claims they are doing “Medical Acupuncture”, ask them if they studied the Chinese function of points and how many hours? That will tell you if they really know what they are doing. And that only applies to their knowledge of point functions. Beyond that do they know how acupuncture really works from a scientific point of view? That is the point of this website. To teach acupuncturists and medical doctors how it really works. The schools do not teach this yet. I am hoping to change that. Like I have said elsewhere, if you think I have gotten anything wrong on this site or my book, let me know. I do not claim to be perfect. So far I have gotten no objections. Not one! Probably because my explanations are easy to understand and make perfect sense.
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