Qi and the Energy Meridians

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) "is one of the world's oldest complete systems of holistic health care."^[1] A major part of TCM is the idea of qi (pronounced CHEE), and the energy meridians that qi flows through.

Qi is considered to be a vital life force energy which "flows through the body following pathways called meridians."^[1] Qi must flow properly along the meridians in order for a person to remain healthy.^[1] Improper flow can mean that qi is stagnant (not moving), deficient or excessive.^[1]

There are a number of qi meridians which "flow along the surface of the body and through the internal organs."^[1] You may be familiar with the meridians if you've ever experienced acupuncture (or acupressure). The many surface points that correspond with the meridians are where acupuncturists place their needles.^[1]

Conventional medicine doesn't have anything resembling qi or energy meridians. But is there any reason to believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine (which has been around for something like 5,000 years), and the ideas of qi and energy meridians have any merit?

Well, there are many, many studies that show that acupuncture is beneficial in helping people with all sort of different issues. And I found one study that looked at the difference in electrical activity between points on the skin that run along TCM's energy meridians (called acupoints) and points that are not associated with energy meridians. The study found that there is more electrical activity along meridians than in other areas of the skin.^[2] In addition, the electrical activity along the meridians shows distinct patterns when the person is undergoing qi healing (in the form of different energy healing practices such as Reiki and Therapeutic Touch).^[2]

In various health theories including Tradition Chinese Medicine (TCM), energy is considered to be a blueprint for our physical form, and it is believed that physical illness will first manifest in our energy field. If you would like to learn more about what type of energy healing might benefit you, please book a Personal Health Consultation at Know Thy Health.

[1] Larry Trivieri, Jr. and John W. Anderson, eds., Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide (Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2002), 456-461.

[2] Maria Syldona and Glen Rein. "The Use of DC Electrodermal Potential Measurements and Healer's Felt Sense to Assess the Energetic Nature of Qi," Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 5, no. 4 (1999): 329-347. Accessed September 18, 2010. http://www.liebertpub.com/products/product.aspx?pid=26.