PREVENTION What the Heck is Qi? I
f you’ve ever had acupuncture then you’re probably familiar with the sensation of qi (also spelled ‘chi’ and pronounced “chee”). Acupuncture elicits a composite of different sensations referred to as “deqi.” Most commonly, qi manifests as a feeling of warmth at the acupuncture point, or a deep pressure that radiates outward from the needle, but the sensation can range from quick bolts of energy to big, wave-like shifts.
Qi as A Universal Concept
The concept of qi lies at the heart of Chinese Traditional Medi- cine and is defined as the energetic or animating force associated with all living things. Interestingly, similar concepts show up in various cultures throughout history. In Japan it is called ki. In India, it’s called prana. The ancient Egyptians referred to it as ka and the ancient Greeks knew it as pneuma. In Africa it’s known as ashe and in Hawaii as ha, or mana. And for all of you die-hard Star Wars fans, it’s the Force. Obi-Wan defines the Force as an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together. I once had a very wise person tell me that if Obi-Wan knows qi….then you should probably know qi, too. But what IS it, exactly? Can we measure it? Can we prove that
it exists? For those of you loyal to Cold Hard Science, I’d point you in the direction of quantum physics to find the potential intersection of science and the concept of qi. Quantum mechanics is defined (according to Wikipedia) as the study of the interactions of energy and matter and the changing flow that is happening continuously at molecular, atomic and sub-atomic levels. In fact, I recently saw a guy wearing a tee-shirt that read: “If Tai Chi were easy, it would be called Quantum Mechanics.” I know - it’s a heady concept. Here’s a simple exercise to help understand qi. Consider the feeling of heartbreak – the aching in your chest, the tightness in your heart. We know that in most cases of heartbreak, the heart (at least from a biomedical perspective) is usually functioning just fine, regardless of the pain we feel. So… where is this pain coming from? Why are we feeling this emotion as such a distinct physical sensation? Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine would explain
this by applying the concept of qi. Heartbreak can cause qi to stag- nate in the area of the chest/heart. Since the qi is no longer flowing correctly, we feel a physical sensation of tightness and pressure, and this sensation feels ‘stuck’ inside of us, literally and figuratively. Bu tong ze tong, tong ze bu tong is a well-known Chinese saying. The translation: “Free flow, no pain. No free flow, pain.”
Channels and Meridians in Chinese Medicine During an acupuncture treatment, have you ever felt your
shoulder twitch while the acupuncturist is inserting a point in your foot? This experience can be explained by the concept of channels, or meridians, which run through your body and act like riverbeds for qi and blood. Patients often respond with surprise when they suddenly feel an area of their body “light up” even though the needle that’s been placed is nowhere near that area. Using the mental image of a spider web is often helpful in explaining this phenomenon. If you were to touch the edge of a web with a broom handle, you’ll notice that the whole web quivers - some parts with more intensity than others. Moving the qi in one channel often has a domino-like effect on other channels - suddenly a muscle in your shoulder is twitching even though there’s no needle in that area.
Experiment with Qi
The best way to explore qi is to move it, and through moving it, feel it. Meditation, singing, dancing, exercising, stretching, and laughing are all simple ways to move qi. Regular acupuncture treat- ments are also a great way to get a “tune up” and assure that your qi is flowing smoothly. Arthur Rosenfield, Tai Chi master and novelist, writes about get- ting familiarized with qi, and eloquently summarizes why knowing qi can enhance the experience of everyday life:
“Knowing qi, feeling it, sensing it, you can learn what tech-
niques and choices enhance it and allow it to flow freely (stagnant qi is seen as a source of disease) and you may find this sensitivity helps you stay healthy and enjoy life more. At very least, entertain- ing the idea of qi introduces the notion of as-yet-undefined forces into the nuts-and-bolts way we look at the world--a view limited both by our senses and by the accepted truths of the day--and thereby deepens our experience of what it is to be alive.”
Lauren Breau is an acupuncturist and herbalist at Wildwood Com- munity Acupuncture in Portland, Maine. Wildwood Community Acupuncture is a sliding scale acupuncture clinic where all people can be treated, regardless of income. Learn more about Lauren at
www.wildwoodmedicine.com. See ad on page 29.
By Lauren Breau,
L.Ac
22 Essential Living Maine ~ June 2014
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