Qi
In the treatment according to TCM, the Qi of a client is very important. Is there sufficient Qi? Does the Qi flow freely and naturally? Is there somewhere stagnation? Are Yin Yang in balance?
Qi is a typical Chinese concept and is often translated in the West with vital energy, breath or vitality. But is hard to give a translation that completely carries the same multi-layered meaning that is embodies by Qi. Qi also stands at the basis of the Yin Yang theory and for the traditional Chinese everything that exists is some form of Qi. For example, the body and mind are not seen as separate parts, but as different expressions of Qi. Qi functions according to the principles of Yin Yang.
Yin Yang
The theory of Yin Yang is one of the most fundamental theories of TCM. It is the basis of Chinese natural philosophy and at the same time the core of Chinese medicine. According to this theory, the opposition Yin Yang is a fundamental law of nature. Everything comes from, is developed, motivated and changed by the power of Yin Qi and Yang Qi. In the universe there are various relations between Yin Yang, such as opposition, support, attack, interdependence and transformation. Health depends on a good balance between these primal forces. In the event of disruption, complaints can occur. The category Yang generally includes those phenomena that are dynamic, external, upward, radiant and active or relate to functional quality. On the other hand, phenomena that are static, internal, downward, dark or passive or that relate to material substances belong to the Yin category. In TCM these concepts are used to summarize and explain problems in the field of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
Meridians
Not only the amount of Qi in the body is decisive for health, but also the way in which the Qi is distributed in the body. In order to function normally, the Qi must constantly flow through each of the many millions of cells of the human body. The meridian system, which connects all parts of the body, the mind, the soul and the essential substances, is the network that divides Qi through the body.
A meridian is a delineated path through which an increased concentration of Qi rhythmically circulates. Meridians flow throughout the body and branch. Just as every tree leaf is attached to a small twig, every cell in the body also has a connection with a branch of a meridian. All meridians together form a system in which the meridians blend into each other, feed and regulate each other. The amount of Qi in a meridian determines the health of a person. Each organ has its own meridian and on each meridian there are acupuncture points on the basis of which you can determine and influence the condition of the organ.
The meridians are not physical channels, such as veins through which the blood flows. They can not be exposed by decomposition. The meridian system has been extensively described in Chinese medicine for the past 4,000 years. Recently, its existence has been proven by experiments showing that the electrical stress of meridians differs from that of the surrounding tissue. With instruments that measure very small streams, the precise course of the energetic channels and the acupuncture points are found. They turned out to be similar to those on old Chinese images.
Acupuncture points
Acupuncture points are concentrations of Qi that lie on the meridians. There are more than 300 acupuncture points that mainly lie between the muscles and tendons and around the joints. By acupressure (manual pressure) or by means of acupuncture (the pricking of needles) the Qi of an acupuncture point can be influenced, in order to restore the balance in an organ and the organism.