Qigong is one primary healing practice used as a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The other primary healing methods are herbology, Tuina massage, acupuncture, and bone setting. There are many other subcatagories of TCM, but these are the primary ones. Loosely defined, “Qi” (sometimes spelled Chi) stands for energy or the vital life force of the body. Although sometimes people in the states will attach metaphysical concepts to Qi, most Chinese masters agree that Qi can be completely explained in physical or biological terms. “Gong” means “work” or “effort” so the phrase “Qigong” can be translated “energy work.”

Unlike western medicine, TCM uses Yin and Yang theory. Yin and Yang are opposing concepts that, at least in part, are defined by one another. For example, Yang is hot while Yin is cold. Yang is hard, dry, active and light while Yin is soft, wet, inactive and dark. If there is an imbalance in Yin and Yang, illness results. If the body is too hot or too cold, the individual will become sick. If the body is too stiff or to loose, it cannot be healthy. Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnoses and redresses imbalances in the body in order to help the individual be healthy.

Sometimes westerners have problems with Yin and Yang theory because they are looking for fixed ideas whereas Yin and Yang theory are variable. For example, earth is Yang whereas water is Yin. Yet at the same time both earth and water can be more Yin or more Yang as a result of their temperature. Hot water is more yang than cold water. Another more complex example deals with ice. Although ice is colder than water and therefore more Yin, it is also harder than water and therefore more Yang.

Traditional Chinese Medicine often detects imbalances in Yin and Yang using meridians and pressure points. Meridian lines are similar to the lines of the nervous system. However, instead of sending invisible electrical signals, in traditional Chinese medicine, meridian lines are thought to be carriers of Qi

Pressure points are points on the body where the meridian lines are close to the surface of the skin and are therefore more easily accessible. If you look at a chart of meridians and pressure points, you will notice that pressure points are lined up along the meridian lines.

When a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner meets with a patient, the practitioner will begin in much the same way as a medical doctor. The patient will fill out a questionnaire and the practitioner will spend some time talking with the patient about symptoms, etc. However, after this, the practitioner will use some form of TCM diagnosis. This may involve looking at the eyes, tongue, or even the tip of the finger. However, the most common form of diagnosis is through the pulse. The practitioner will feel the wrist of the patient on the palm side. There are several meridians that pass through this point and the practitioner will attempt to sense any imbalances in the flow of chi. This kind of diagnosis takes a lot of sensitivity. However, this kind of sensitivity can be developed with proper practice. Advanced TCM practitioners can diagnose by sight.

Once the practitioner has found imbalances in the flow of Qi within a patients’ body, he or she will use a method of rebalancing that flow. The most commonly known method in western medicine is acupuncture where needles are put into the body at certain points designed to rebalance the patient’s Qi.

Author Bio: Sigung Richard Clear has over 30 years of continuous study in Tai Chi and Qigong both in the U.S. and China. Read more on his website at: www.clearstaichi.com

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Qigong, Qi Gong, Chi Gong, Chi Gung, Traditional Chinese Medicine